Child Nutrition - A is For April the Asparagus

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amber_Cabrera]Amber Cabrera

Not only does asparagus have folic acid, which is great for the skin, but it is also a great vegetable for steaming, frying and/or baking. Slathering it with low fat cheese or wrapping it in turkey bacon are always great crowd pleasers too!

Childhood obesity is a major problem in this country. The snack food industry continues to find more ways to pump out prepackaged, unhealthy foods that are more convenient and seemingly less expensive than nutritional alternatives. However, they fall obscenely short on nutritional value. Combine that with limited school budgets that are forced to cut out recess and other extracurricular activities, and you are left with a generation of children growing up overweight.

As a parent, there is so much self-imposed guilt when feeling as though we are not doing enough to monitor our child(ren)'s diet. Full time jobs, endless 'to-do' lists, and time - all conspire to make us feel worse when we believe that we have no other option than to choose the quick and easy unhealthy meals.

There is good news on the horizon. Many fruits and vegetables have versatile preparation options that are fantastic alternatives to junk food and can be prepared in advance with very little effort. But this is only half of the battle.

The other half is to convince your child(ren) to eat more fruits and vegetables. If they are picky eaters, this can be difficult. That's why I recommend a book called The Adventures of Tommy The Tomato by author and nutritionist, Jay Holt. It's a fantastic book of color-filled illustrations for both children and parents about nutrition. Tommy and his friends are a group of fruits and vegetables who teach kids about the fun of eating healthy. Each character is named after a letter of the alphabet, so it's easy to follow and reinforces primary learning. Children relate to each page of the story while learning about good nutrition.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Child-Nutrition---A-is-For-April-the-Asparagus&id=3424941] Child Nutrition - A is For April the Asparagus

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Why People Should Eat Healthy - 5 Tips to Eating Healthy

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ross_Gray]Ross Gray

The reasons why people should eat healthy are too numerous to list. Among the top contenders are avoiding many illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. In order to eat healthy you don't have to give up all the foods you love or become thin as a rail. It is more about maintaining a healthy weight, increasing your energy level, and feeling terrific.

We all need to take more time and put more thought into what we are fueling our bodies with. We are all rushed, stressed, and short on time but that is no excuse to eating whatever is easiest or quickest. There are plenty of one pot, 30-minute meal recipes available, also believe it or not there are some prepackaged foods that are fairly healthy too. Here are some top tips to help you out.

1. Make sure to drink enough water. Water is an important component of a healthy eating plan. After all our body is comprised of approximately 75% water. Water helps us flush our bodies of toxins and waste products.

2. Consume more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. If we eat more of these items throughout the day our sugar and energy levels will remain in check.

3. Eat an adequate amount of calories but don't overdo it. Put some thought into how many calories you really need to consume throughout the day. A construction worker will burn up more calories than somebody who working in an office. Don't consume more than you will burn.

4. Watch the portion size of your meals. For some reason our portion sizes over the years have increased dramatically. I believe this has a lot to do with marketing. If you order your favorite entree at a restaurant and get a loaded large platter of food you will most likely be happy paying the price they are asking for the meal. The reality is that our portion size has doubled or tripled over years past. Be proactive and package up any food beyond a reasonable portion and make two meals out of it instead of one.

5. Consume a wide range of foods. Go out of your way to try new foods. I am always looking for ways to incorporate different types of whole grains into my diet. There are probably a lot of grains and legumes that you have never even heard of. Try some new exotic fruits or vegetables that you found at the market. The worst that can happen is that you don't like them. Keep your meals exciting and new by adding variety.

If you utilize the preceding tips it will not be that difficult to [http://EasyFitnessAndNutrition.info]eat healthy. Because the subject of healthy eating is such a broad topic, I recommend you do some additional studying about fitness and nutrition at [http://EasyFitnessAndNutrition.info]http://EasyFitnessAndNutrition.info. Click through my preceding link for a ton of science-backed information and strategies.

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How to Speak With Influence

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Zuraidah_Ali]Zuraidah Ali

Influence is most commonly associated with power and authority. Nevertheless, let's think of ways to unravel the hidden powers of language, as we use it every day, to influence the attitude, thoughts and behavior of people around us.

Have you heard of influence tactics and influence strategies? To start, we can try to appear more 'assertive' in negotiations and tap on 'coalition tactic' in group discussions in order to win majority support. Now, how much of this knowledge have you utilized in your life as a student, employee, or participant in any kind of discussion, competitions, challenge, etc?

In bringing the topic of "influence" closer to English as a Second Language (ESL), I have decided to delineate the effects of powerful and powerless language. I shall link this interest to "politeness theory".

To illustrate powerless language which indirectly carries the effects of "influence", we can look at a common habit to use 'hedges' like "I wonder if you could"... and "Could I maybe ask you..." in our daily conversation and interaction. If you stand on the receiving end, these expressions may sound humble and less threatening to your ego and disposition. In other words, it brings about the impression of politeness and respect.

Another example is our tendency to use words or phrases which 'minimize imposition' like "I need just a little bit of your time" in making requests or asking for some consideration. 'Hedges' and 'minimization of imposition' are both ways to redress face-threatening acts. They may seem 'powerless'; however, the gain is worthwhile.

In short, within the context of "influence", powerless language manifests politeness tactics which represents rituals of approach, social distance, and respect. You may sound humble and down-to-earth, yet you bring more attention to yourself. Hence, you will have more opportunity to influence the hearer of your assertion and reasoning.

Note: I encourage critical reading, critical thinking and writing via my academic blog. You can visit it and share your thoughts at http://speakup-avenue.blogspot.com

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Colorful Eating Habits For Good Health

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Neil_Roth]Neil Roth

We all know colorful fruits and vegetables are a good way for an aesthetically appetizing presentation of food. In fact Van Gogh used them with much success in his paintings. But did you know it is good for health to include fruits and vegetables of different colors in your diet? It sounds playful to include the rainbow in your diet chart but that is what the nutritionists now days are advising. In fact fruits and vegetables from each of the four primary color group should be included every day in your food.

So what are the colors that are so good for health? Yellow/orange, red, green and blue/purple is the favored color by the dieticians. But how and why color plays such an important role in our health and disease prevention? To begin with you have the effects of the pigments themselves which are great antioxidants. Did you know lycopene found in red tomatoes protects you against prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and even heart disease as per one preliminary study?

Pigments are just the first line of defense. They are the precursor for more health benefits.These include vitamins and, fiber. And also phytochemicals that help detoxify the body, battle tumor growth and activate protective genes. Did you know that the most intensely colored fruits and vegetables have the highest levels of protective phytonutients?

Take spinach for example. The dark green color of spinach is practically a one stop pharmacy. It delivers at least three important antioxidants, including the yellow pigment lutein, which helps prevent macular degeneration, the main reason that causes blindness in the elderly. In fact one serving of raw spinach contains about three quarter of your daily vitamin A, one quarter of your folic acid requirement and 185 percent your vitamin K...a vitamin that help strengthen bone.

The message is very clear. Use colorful fruits and vegetables to paint a picture of good health.

The writer of this article is Neil Roth who researches and writes about health and fitness.If you enjoyed this article you can have look at another article by this author on [http://lipcarecenter.com/lip-reduction-surgery/]Lip Reduction at this blog on [http://lipcarecenter.com/]Lip Enhancement.

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Vitamin C to Fight Swine Flu and Influenza

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shalah_Beckinghart]Shalah Beckinghart

The powers that Vitamin C has over fighting influenza and swine flu:

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects against infection and enhances immunity.

The daily suggested dosage of Vitamin C is about 100-200mg 2-3 times a day for adults. When faced with such stressors adults can take 500-1000mg 3 times a day. For severe cases such as the onset of influenza that ill person can take 500-1000mg every 2 hours. Its important that you stick to the normal recommended dosage and then only when faced with illness increase to the higher levels. Only on the onset of environmental stress such as trauma, fever or infection should you take higher dosages of Vitamin C supplement otherwise you can run the risk of Vitamin C overdose.

1-3yrs old, 15mg normal dosage/ 400mg onset of illness dosage per day

4-8yrs old, 25mg normal dosage/ 650mg onset of illness dosage per day

9-13yrs old, 45mg normal dosage/ 1200mg onset of illness dosage per day

14-7yrs old, 65-75mg normal dosage/ 1800-2000mg onset of illness dosage per day

18yrs old and older, 80-85mg normal dosage/ 2000-3000mg onset of illness dosage per day

Pregnant women, 80-85mg normal dosage/ 1800-2000mg onset of illness dosage per day

Breast-feeding women, 115-120mg normal dosage/ 1800-2000mg onset of illness dosage per day

Vitamin C Overdose mostly comes by taking high levels of lab made or lab manipulated Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid and the like. Overdose can cause diarrhea, gas, stomach upset and cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. The more major overdose conditions that come with vitamin C overdose are developing kidney stones, Vitamin B12 and copper deficiencies, and also the increased need for oxygen. Pregnant mothers taking 5000-6000mg or more of Vitamin C can possibly subject their babies to develop rebound scurvy. People that have iron overload diseases need to avoid Vitamin C overdose since it increases the absorption of iron. Patients with Hemochromatosis should not take extra Vitamin C either due to the accumulation of nonheme iron in the presence of vitamin C. Long term problems caused by vitamin C overdose includes: acute right sided conjunctivitis, kidney disease, diabetes, and hypoglycemia.

The absolute best Vitamin C to take is naturally occurring Vitamin C in the form of whole foods or whole food botanical supplements. One would need to ask themselves. Where in nature do you find "ascorbic acid"? The answer is nowhere. Most companies use chemical ascorbic acid that mimics real Vitamin C. Now again on the onset of influenza however by all means you can take those dosages of Vitamin C(ascorbic acid), but just for that time.

Natural ways to get Vitamin C is in camu camu berry, acerola cherry, rhus coriana, rose hip, indian gooseberry (amla fruit), and hibiscus. These botanicals are rich in Vitamin C and you can get them in capsule form if you like.

Learn what [http://fightinfluenzanaturally.blogspot.com]Fight Influenza Naturally suggest on the best natural RAW food Vitamin C supplements and other foods rich in Vit C by reading this article in its entirety at [http://fightinfluenzanaturally.blogspot.com/search/label/vitamin%20c]natural Vitamin C to fight swine flu and influenza naturally. Here's to good health!

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A Natural Way to Get Vitamin D in Your Body

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rosalie_Lynch]Rosalie Lynch

I have read that one simple vitamin deficiency is causing the increase in diabetes, arthritis, many cancers, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, and a host of other preventable diseases. Nearly 100% of people with the diseases listed above lack the proper amounts of vitamin D in their body.

Our lives have changed so much from when our grandparents and great-grandparents were outside, working, walking where they were exposed to the sun every day soaking up the rays on their skin. Sun is a great source of vitamin D; however, in today's world we manage to get 30 seconds it takes to walk from our cars to the building and stores we are entering. And if we do actually go out in the sun, we cover ourselves with sunscreen and hats which blocks the vitamin D production. There are dangers in being over exposed to sun. Do you remember when people use to lay outside for a couple of hours, some falling asleep in the sun, to get a beautiful tan? How about golfers playing 18 holes and developing skin cancer? These illustrations are not what we are talking about in receiving the benefits of sunshine on our skin. When you participate in the above activities, it is necessary to use sunscreen and wear hats for protection.

I was shocked when I learned that half of adults and 40% of all children in the United States are deficient in vitamin D. The Food and Nutrition Board of the US does make recommendations on the amount of vitamin D people should receive by age categories; such as:

200IU for those under 50 years of age,

400IU for ages 51-70, and

600IU for those 71 and over

Unless you take a vitamin pill daily you can receive the necessary dosage in a natural way. How about going outside for:

15-20 minutes daily in the summer

25-30 minutes in the spring and fall, and

35-40 minutes in the winter.

Make an effort to expose as much skin as you can to sunshine.

I personally invite you to come to http://www.livehealthybywalking.com Take action by signing up for updates of new postings, activities and informational articles relating to walking your way to a healthy lifestyle. If you are under the impression that you just go outdoors to walk, you may be surprised what you will learn about Nordic Walking, Interval Walking, Power Walking, Walking in light rain; walking and training for marathons and much more. Claim your health by joining other walkers.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Natural-Way-to-Get-Vitamin-D-in-Your-Body&id=2865260

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Can This Green Food Kill Bacteria Antibiotics Can't?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_F._McCaffrey_M.D.]Joseph F. McCaffrey M.D.

You may or may not have heard about a unique bacterium called Heliobacter pylori - H. pylori for short. It's unique because it can survive in the acid of the stomach. And infection with H. pylori can cause serious problems. It's associated with irritation of the stomach wall, ulcers and even stomach cancer.

Eradicating H. pylori reduces the risk of recurrent ulcers as well as the risk of other problems, including stomach cancer.

However, treating H. pylori with traditional medications often proves to be difficult. Physicians typically treat the infection with at least three drugs for 2 or sometimes 4 weeks. Even with that aggressive treatment, the success rate is only around 80%.

Now there's good evidence that a simple green sprout added to your diet can reduce or eliminate H. pylori.

The sprout is question is broccoli.

You've undoubtedly heard the advice to eat more vegetables. You've probably heard that vegetables of the cruciferous class (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) are especially good for you. There are any number of beneficial nutrients in these vegetables, but one compound that has been studied extensively is sulforaphane.

Sulforaphane is a phytochemical that triggers the production of beneficial enzymes in the stomach. These enzymes protect against inflammation, free radicals and DNA damage - and have a number of health benefits.

Research studies show that regularly including vegetables containing sulforaphane in your diet protects against several types of cancer (including bladder cancer), heart disease and may even help arthritis.

Sulforaphane levels are 50 times higher in broccoli sprouts than they are in mature broccoli, so sprouts are an especially good source.

In addition to the already known health benefits, there's now evidence that broccoli sprouts are effective against H. pylori. In a study in mice infected with H. pylori, over 70% percent of the infections were cleared in the treated group while none were cleared in the placebo group.

Other laboratory studies have shown that sulforaphane kills over 90% of tested strains of H. pylori, even those resistant to antibiotics, by 2 mechanisms - induced enzymes and direct effect.

A study in humans infected with H. pylori showed significant suppression of H. pylori infection, if not complete eradication, in people who ate about 2 ounces of broccoli sprouts a day.

You can make your own sprouts, but they're widely available under the brand name BroccoSprouts. They're available in my little town so you can probably find them where you are. Even if you don't have any concerns about H. pylori, including broccoli sprouts in your diet regularly is still a great idea. It's another example of why we all should emphasize a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in our diets.

By the way, there's an interesting "inside story" about the Australian researcher who first recognized importance of H. pylori. I use it to help my colleagues keep their perspective when they seem a little closed minded. You can read about it at: [http://www.jfmccaffreymd.com/another-reason-to-eat-your-broccoli.html]Another Reason to Eat Your Broccoli

And since you're interested healthy eating you may want to check out: [http://www.jfmccaffreymd.com/healthy-eating.html]Healthy Eating in 10 Easy Steps

You'll learn a simple way to painlessly transform the quality of your diet.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-This-Green-Food-Kill-Bacteria-Antibiotics-Cant?&id=2613838

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