South Korea Saturday reported its first case of swine flu after Hong Kong said a man who flew from Mexico had the disease, in Asia's first confirmed cases as the virus continues its global spread.
But health authorities said the world appeared better prepared to fight an epidemic than a few years ago, and vowed that a vaccine was only months away.
Confirmation by Hong Kong authorities Friday that a traveller who arrived from Mexico, via Shanghai, had tested positive for A(H1N1) flu virus saw an entire hotel quarantined.
And in South Korea, authorities Saturday confirmed the country's first case, involving a a 51-year-old woman who returned from Mexico Sunday.
The Hong Kong case sent shivers through the territory as thousands donned masks in an echo of the 2003 SARS crisis.
China responded quickly, saying it was to put all passengers on the flight from Mexico to Shanghai under quarantine and that flights from Mexico to the city were being suspended. Denmark and France joined the list of countries reporting their first cases.
But in a sign that authorities may be containing the spread of the disease, Mexico, which has been at the epicentre of the outbreak, said the new, multi-strain virus appeared not to be as aggressive as had first been feared.
Mexico's government late Friday raised its confirmed toll of flu cases to 16 dead and 381 infected.
"Fortunately, the virus is not so aggressive -- it's not a case of avian flu, which had a mortality rate of nearly 70 percent," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova earlier told reporters.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang was taking no chances, however, in this densely populated, sub-tropical territory, saying he would "raise the alert level from serious to emergency."
China "has asked health authorities in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong to immediately put passengers on flight AM098... under quarantine and a seven-day medical observation," the health ministry said on its website.
And Xinhua news agency reported Beijing was shutting down flights between Mexico and Shanghai.
Xinhua reported that China had notified the Mexican government and airlines about the decision, adding Beijing may send a charter plane to Mexico to collect "Chinese passengers who had planned to fly to Shanghai from the city of Mexico on May 3."
Meanwhile, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDCP) said in a statement: "Test results have confirmed the first probable patient, whose case was reported on Monday, was infected with Influenza A (H1N1)."
The woman, reportedly a nun, who returned from Mexico Sunday, has been responding well to treatment and is expected to be discharged from hospital Monday, health officials said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a pandemic is now imminent, raising its alert level to five out of six, but a senior official at the UN agency said a vaccine was in the pipeline.
"We have no doubt that making a successful vaccine is possible in a relatively short period of time," Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research said, adding it may take four to six months.
With 143 infections confirmed in the United States across 20 states, US officials also said the outbreak did not appear to be anywhere near as dangerous as the 1918 flu epidemic, killing an estimated 50 million people around the globe.
"We do not see the markers for virulence that were seen in the 1918 virus," Nancy Cox, the chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) influenza division, told reporters.
The head of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) added her voice to global reassurances, saying Latin America was better prepared to handle today's outbreak than five years ago, when avian flu struck.
Spain, meanwhile, reported that its number of suspected swine flu cases appeared to have stabilised as the figures dropped to 108 from 116. There are so far 13 confirmed cases in the country.
Among the latest cases revealed was that of a nurse in Germany who had treated a patient with the disease, but had not been to Mexico.
Scottish authorities also confirmed the first case of swine flu in Britain involving someone who had not recently travelled to Mexico.
And in France Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said the country's first two cases of swine flu had been confirmed.
Most cases outside Mexico have involved only mild symptoms of the illness that can be easily treated with existing flu medicines, and some experts have suggested the virus may have weakened as it was carried outside the country.
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Saturday, May 2, 2009
Special Gifts for Your Loved
Here are the 8 special gifts for the one or anyone you love:
1. Presence
I think, the presence of someone who loved is the priceless gift. Indeed, we can also present by mail, phone, photo, fax or e-mail. However, with be beside him/her, you can share feelings, attention and affection in a more intensive and intact. The quality of presence is also important. So, make your presence as causes of his/her happiness.
2. Listen
Few people are able to give this gift, because, most people prefer to listened, rather than listen. Has long been known that the harmonious relationship between people is determined by the willingness to listen to each other. Give it to him/her. By providing all attention on his/her words, indirectly, we also have to foster patience and humility. To be able to hear well, make sure that you are in a good situation and relax and can capture what was he/she says fully. Look his/her face. Do not interrupt, criticize and judge. Let him/her finish his/her words. This allows you to give the appropriate response after that. No need to make a discussion or evaluation. Just thanks will be very sweet for him/her.
3. Silence
Like in the words, there is strength in the silence. Silence can be used to punish, banish or confusing people. But more than that, silence can also show our devotion to someone because we give him/her ‘a space’. Especially if in the day-to-day we are eager to advise, organize, criticize and even complain.
4. Freedom
Love someone does not mean that we have full rights to manage or have the person’s life. Can we claim to love someone if we always bridle him/her? Give freedom is one manifestation of love. The meaning of freedom is not “you can do everything you want”. More of that, give the freedom is give him/her a totally trust to take responsibility for everything that he/she do or wanna do.
5. Magnificence
Who is unhappy, if the one who love suddenly come into being more handsome or beautiful? Look beautiful and shapely is also a gift too! No fault if you give it every day! Beside of the beauty of personal appearance, you can give the beauty atmosphere at home. Vase and beautiful fresh flowers in the family room or dining table that fit beautifully, for example.
6. Positive Response
Unconsciously, we often give negative response of the mind, attitude or action of people we loved. As though no rightness of him/her and the absolutely rightness only from us. In this time, try to give a positive response. Say it clearly and upright. Just try to remember, how many time in the past week you thanks him/her to all the things that he/she do it for you? Also remember, have you praise him/her? Both it, thanks and praise (also apology), is the gift of love which is often forgotten.
7. Willingness Budge
Not all problems worthy to a squabble. Especially to become a serious quarrel. You should consider whether a love relationship should be sacrificed just because that problem? When you think of this, it means you are ready to give the gift ‘willingness budge’. Alright, you may complain or angry because he came late. But if it once, why should be the trigger of conflict that drag on? Willingness to budge can also fade resentment and invites us to realize that there are no perfect human beings in this world.
8. Smile
Believe it or not, the power of smile is very great. Smile, especialy given with all of heart and soul, can thaw an ungainly relationship, encourage despair, and make anything better. Smiles is also a signal that we open up to the world around us. So, when the last time you give a sweet smile for your beloved?
Read More..Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sarah Jessica Parker Expecting Twins via Surrogate
Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick are expecting twin girls via a surrogate mother, their representatives said on Tuesday.
Parker, 44, and Broderick, 47, "are happily anticipating the birth of their twin daughters later this summer with the generous help of a surrogate. The entire family is overjoyed," a statement from the couple said.
The couple have a six year old son, James, and have long wanted to add to their family but had no luck, an unidentified friend was quoted as telling Entertainment Weekly magazine.
They turned to a surrogate last year, the magazine said. The surrogate's name and details have not been disclosed.
"They had a lot of unsuccessful tries," the friend was quoted as saying. "They came to the conclusion that this was going to be the best alternative for expanding their family."
Parker is expected to begin shooting a sequel later this year to the hit movie version of "Sex and the City" along with fellow stars Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis.
Broderick, star of the Broadway musical and movie "The Producers", and Parker married in 1997.
© Copyright (c) Reuters
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Parker, 44, and Broderick, 47, "are happily anticipating the birth of their twin daughters later this summer with the generous help of a surrogate. The entire family is overjoyed," a statement from the couple said.
The couple have a six year old son, James, and have long wanted to add to their family but had no luck, an unidentified friend was quoted as telling Entertainment Weekly magazine.
They turned to a surrogate last year, the magazine said. The surrogate's name and details have not been disclosed.
"They had a lot of unsuccessful tries," the friend was quoted as saying. "They came to the conclusion that this was going to be the best alternative for expanding their family."
Parker is expected to begin shooting a sequel later this year to the hit movie version of "Sex and the City" along with fellow stars Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis.
Broderick, star of the Broadway musical and movie "The Producers", and Parker married in 1997.
© Copyright (c) Reuters
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Friday, April 17, 2009
Translate Easier with Google Translate
Long time ago, translate a text needs a special skill which no everyone have it. Only some people are able to translate into a foreign language or otherwise, from foreign to local language. In further development, the dictionary made with a variety of sizes and the amount of vocabulary, ranging from the inexpensive to the most expensive.
After that, digital technology also give a big contribution to translate problem, especially since the dictionary software or the dictionary which is can run by computer are made. So the big-dictionary book is not needed anymore, which is sometimes too difficult to find the words you want. In addition, translator software that can translate a paragraph, not just a word, was born. Such as transtool, rekso or another software.
Now, with technology of internet, translate the text made easier. There are several websites that provide a text translation service for free. For example is Google Translate from Google Inc. One of the advantages of Google Translate is the ability to translate so many languages, at least, there are 32 languages that can be translated.
All that we must to do just copy and paste the text to be translated, and then select the source of language from choices under the copy and paste the text before, and then select the desired language for the results, and finally click translate. Then in the text box next to the original, the translation will appear.
Not only that, Google Translate can be used to translate a web-page, with just copy and paste the web content in the box that are available before, and then click translate, then within a few seconds the website will appear in a language that we want.
However, the translate results can not be perfectly, because it is related to the order of the original text. Sometimes some vocabulary has not been recognized by Google Translate, so sometimes we need to change the vocabulary with a appropriate vocabulary or a basic vocabulary, and then translate again.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
About Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
This morning, I was receive an sms form my best friend who preach the the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has retract drugs which is containing Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Because the PPA has been caused brain haemorrhage. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a synthetic compound of the sympathomimetic amine structurally similar to presor amines epinephrine, phenylephrine, aphedrine stimulation and central nervous system like ephedrine and amphetamine. In Indonesia, PPA is found in cough and influenza medicines. Of course, almost all hundreds influenza medicines brands is contains PPA.
Due to this time I have influenza and is being consume Neozep Forte (which after I read in the box it’s contain 15 mg of PPA), of course, I surprised and a little panic. So, I browse the Google to find more information.
And I can take lessons as follow:
In fact, this PPA case is not a new case. According to this link, PPA was recalled in United States since 2000. Its was followed by Malaysia and Singapore. Because in these countries PPA not only use as decongestant (influenza medicine), but also produced as a mixture of loose weight drugs (PPA can also press appetite).
Meanwhile, other countries such as European, Japan, Philippines, and Australia does not recall PPA from the market. Indonesia, based on meeting of Komnas POJ (December 5, 2000), allows use of PPA only as an active influenza and cough medicine. However, the dosage is reduced, from 25 mg per dose to 15 mg per dose. And since April 16, 2001, Indonesia (BPOM) has banned the circulation of all drugs which is containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) more than 15 mg per dose.
I’m a little relieved, because Neozep Forte which I consume is contain 15 mg of PPA, still on secure limit from BPOM. But considering of the side effects that can be caused by PPA is egregious enough, it seems I may not take the medicine too easy 
My suggestion is always note the information listed in the drug package. If necessary, check the information about one of every substance in the drug. The information I mean is about the function and side effects, safe dose or the maximum safe dose per day. For PPA, based on this link, the dose allowed in Indonesia much less than the dose allowed in UK and US. That is 10-25 mg per dose. Usage per day is allowed a maximum of 75 mg for adults and 37.5 mg for children 6-12 years and is not recommended for children under the age of 6 years.
Monday, March 16, 2009
How Love Can Last
New research suggests long-term romance is possible and deeply satisfying.
Oh sure, being crazy in love might be fine for Beyonce, but what happens 15 years down the road? Are you condemned to spend your Friday nights on the couch watching television while your husband tries to clean out his left ear with the tiny plastic arm of a wrestling figurine belonging to your youngest son? In other words, does romance always die?
Not according to a recent study published in the March issue of Review of General Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association. Lead researcher Dr. Bianca P. Acevedo, then at Stony Brook University (currently at University of California, Santa Barbara), says that the study challenges the belief that romantic love generally fizzles and is replaced by companionship love if things are going well in the relationship. “When taking a closer look, it seems like some people were still very much in love. They just weren’t crazy.”
Acevedo says that people often erroneously believe that romantic love and passionate love are the same. “Romantic love has the intensity, engagement and sexual chemistry that passionate love has, minus the obsessive component.” She adds that passionate or obsessive love helps drive shorter relationships but not longer ones.
Acevedo and co-researcher Dr. Arthur Aron reviewed 25 studies with 6,070 individuals in short-and long-term relationships, classifying the relationships in each of the studies as romantic, passionate (romantic with obsession) or friendship-like love and categorized them as long-or short-term. Unsurprisingly, those who reported greater romantic love were more satisfied in their long-term relationships than those who classified their love as companion-like.
Aron says that the romance kept alive by these long-term couples is in some ways even better than the maddening love at the beginning of a relationship. “When people first fall in love we also have this mania component that comes with a lot of anxiety and concern and fear,” he says. “If the person’s out of your sight for five minutes, are they dead or have they found someone else? In a long-term relationship, those who are able to experience intense love not only get the benefit of being intensely in love but they’re comfortable and confident and they don’t have to be afraid. If you’re with someone for 10 or 20 years, you know they’re going to be there tomorrow.”
Maggie Scarf, author of September Songs, a book about couples between the ages of 50 and 75, says that even when romance fades during the child-rearing years, it can be rekindled. “Sometimes people have gotten into the companionship mode because they’re so busy negotiating with their kids and things that are happening in daily life with the family — which, let’s face it, are generally not very romantic,” she says. “As the kids peel off to lives of their own, it’s not that you’re not involved with them and their families, it’s that you have more time to re-find each other and that old intimacy.”
So how can a couple increase their odds for longterm romance? Aron says that’s “the $64,000 question” and he is appealing for funding to study just that. But he acknowledges five generally accepted factors for successful coupling: first, a lack of stressful external factors, such as living in a war zone, being poor, being discriminated against, or having a child die; second, neither party being highly anxious or depressed; third, good communication skills, and the ability to resolve conflicts and support each other; fourth, doing novel, challenging, exciting things together on a regular basis; and fifth, capitalizing on the other’s successes. Aron points to the last factor as particularly important. “If your partner has a success and you can celebrate it with them, that is an unmitigated positive thing for a relationship. Many people just say, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’ and go on with their business.”
Scarf adds that relationships that began in a throbbing burst of flames might have a better chance at locating a spark 20 years on. “If you can look back, as I can to a particularly romantic moment with my husband where we kissed each other in a pine forest and the world spun on its axis, that’s great,” she says. “But not everyone has that. Some people got married because it seemed like the right time.”
This recent study may change people’s expectations of what they want in longterm relationships, according to Acevedo, with companionship love, which is what many couples see as the natural progression of a successful relationship, coming to be seen as an unnecessary compromise.
“Couples should strive for love with all the trimmings,” Acevedo says. “For some people, stagnation might be a desirable state, but it doesn’t have to be that way. And couples who have been together a long time and wish to get back their romantic edge should know it is an attainable goal that, like most good things in life, requires energy and devotion.”
Read More..Monday, February 2, 2009
Gift Ideas for Valentines Day
Valentine's Day is coming and you're wrestling with what to get your wife. You want something as special as your feelings for her, yet as tangible as the ring
you placed on her finger when you were married. Following are some gift ideas any wife would love.
1. Private retreat.
If your wife is like most, she would appreciate some extra time spent alone with you, especially if she's also a mom and has had little personal time for herself lately. Why not consider splurging for a weekend away. Can't afford that this year? Then consider hiring a baby sitter and spending the weekend all alone doing some of your favorite activities. Little things mean a lot, by taking the step to spend more time with your wife, you will give the greatest gift any wife would love -- her husband.
2. Spa special.
Any wife would appreciate being pampered with a trip to her favorite hair salon. Throw in a manicure and pedicure, and enjoy watching her twirl in delight as she shows off the results. One great spa special is a make-over, including a facial and image consultation to help your wife choose colors that would flatter her most. Many larger departments stores have ongoing and special make-overs for free with or without a make-up purchase. Stop by your local store and ask whether they offer gift certificates. If they do, don't forget to add enough cash to the certificate so that she can purchase some of the new make-up she tries. Warning: If you wife does not wear makeup often, this may nto be the gift for her.
3. Sparkling gems.
Consider buying your wife a piece of jewelry to replace something she has always wanted, or desperately need. Earrings (make sure you check to see if she prefers clipped or pierced), watches, necklaces, pendants may fall in this category. Based on your budget, you can choose from precious, semi-precious or custom jewelry in styles and designs that flatter you wife's personality and unique image. One idea, could be to replace a stone that she has lost from a favorite piece of jewelry, bringing new life to an old favorite.
4. Perfect picture.
Surprise your wife with a new family portrait. There are two ways you can do this. The first is to get a professional portrait with just yourself, and if you have them, your children. The second, is to set an appointment that includes your wife post-spa special. In the latter, the portrait will remind her of the special spa treatment you gave her this year.
5. Money, honey.
Your wife will love money as a valentine's gift. The pitfalls of this, however, is that she may consider it a "no-brainer" gift that you gave her as an afterthought. Or worse, she'll take the money and run and spend it on you and the kids. The alternative? Give her a gift certificate, gift card, or e-certificate (online gift certificate) to one of her favorite stores. This could include a store that sells clothing, perfume, jewelry, handbags, shoes
or any other things for women only! Put a deadline on it (say 30 days), and that'll force her to think and buy quickly.
Read More..
you placed on her finger when you were married. Following are some gift ideas any wife would love.
1. Private retreat.
If your wife is like most, she would appreciate some extra time spent alone with you, especially if she's also a mom and has had little personal time for herself lately. Why not consider splurging for a weekend away. Can't afford that this year? Then consider hiring a baby sitter and spending the weekend all alone doing some of your favorite activities. Little things mean a lot, by taking the step to spend more time with your wife, you will give the greatest gift any wife would love -- her husband.
2. Spa special.
Any wife would appreciate being pampered with a trip to her favorite hair salon. Throw in a manicure and pedicure, and enjoy watching her twirl in delight as she shows off the results. One great spa special is a make-over, including a facial and image consultation to help your wife choose colors that would flatter her most. Many larger departments stores have ongoing and special make-overs for free with or without a make-up purchase. Stop by your local store and ask whether they offer gift certificates. If they do, don't forget to add enough cash to the certificate so that she can purchase some of the new make-up she tries. Warning: If you wife does not wear makeup often, this may nto be the gift for her.
3. Sparkling gems.
Consider buying your wife a piece of jewelry to replace something she has always wanted, or desperately need. Earrings (make sure you check to see if she prefers clipped or pierced), watches, necklaces, pendants may fall in this category. Based on your budget, you can choose from precious, semi-precious or custom jewelry in styles and designs that flatter you wife's personality and unique image. One idea, could be to replace a stone that she has lost from a favorite piece of jewelry, bringing new life to an old favorite.
4. Perfect picture.
Surprise your wife with a new family portrait. There are two ways you can do this. The first is to get a professional portrait with just yourself, and if you have them, your children. The second, is to set an appointment that includes your wife post-spa special. In the latter, the portrait will remind her of the special spa treatment you gave her this year.
5. Money, honey.
Your wife will love money as a valentine's gift. The pitfalls of this, however, is that she may consider it a "no-brainer" gift that you gave her as an afterthought. Or worse, she'll take the money and run and spend it on you and the kids. The alternative? Give her a gift certificate, gift card, or e-certificate (online gift certificate) to one of her favorite stores. This could include a store that sells clothing, perfume, jewelry, handbags, shoes
or any other things for women only! Put a deadline on it (say 30 days), and that'll force her to think and buy quickly.
Read More..
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Talk in Mens' Language
If you often irritated by men’s ‘catching power’ to understand the most simple instructions. You are not alone. I and some friends have experience it. One of my friends has often complained her husband did what he did not ask and ignore her request, at least from her perspective. If she protests, her husband just said, it should be done by maid. ‘Misunderstanding’ pattern like this is usually happen, the wives want they ’standard’ run, while the husband feel that what they do is “more than enough”.
“It’s like two people talking in two different languages, one with English, one with French, so do not know,” said Rhona Raskin, therapeutist sex and family, owner of Rhona.com. Often, the difference is more vague than the example of the differences in the two languages. Here are some suggestions from Raskin to ‘communicate’ with the men in the correct language.
1. Do not ask him to ‘read’ your mind
If there is a wedge in the heart, say clearly. You may be thinking, attitude or movement that you do is enough for men to understand what you mean. For known, because one thing and another, male is a bad reader of body language. For men, what is not said is none. So, women often blame the man as the person who is less/not sensitive or not able to understand your feelings. Believe me, with the men, words is more powerful than a thousand body language.
2. Talk clearly but tactical
Say what you want clearly, with words that are not attacked him and cause ‘against reactions’. He can response your accuse words like “now you never want to accompany me to the shopping mall anymore” with hundred reasons that through on his mind at that time or hit his dumb wall. Better if you said “I nostalgic the moment like our first date, walking together, dining at our favourite restaurant.” Usually that approach is more effective.
3. Do not expect too much
I don’t know why, usually men are not good enough in verbal expression. “Most of men tend to measure everything in terms of action, especially in the emotional problems,” Raskin said. So, if your partner from the beginning suddenly stutter when you ask him to said ‘I Love You’, do not hope he will suddenly totally changed as your wish. If you want to change it, identify with the real action instead of words. Because men can understand it more quickly. Another example, when he promises something to you, do not expect he will fulfill it soon. Remind him over and over, cause maybe he do it just because it tends to avoid problems with you.
4. Never push him with a difficult question
The questions such as “Am I obesity?” Or “Where better, I wear green dress or black?” Usually got a silent answer or nonsense. For men, that questions was a dilemma. They afraid, that any answers given will make you offended. So, never ask him to answer a questions like that.
5. Wisely choose the right time
Proverbial “wise people know when to open and close the mouth” may be applied very appropriately to communicate with the men. It waste the time if you talk to the men while he is busy watching football or doing his hobby. The most appropriate time to tell him something, Raskin said, is when he is ‘fresh’, such as after bathing in holiday morning.
6. Take a good assumption
Actually, most of men is good person. If he doesn’t say anything after you angry, do not assume that he doesn’t care about you or your aspiration. Most of men are thinking, that the problems will be completed with a depth of think and deed,not with the mouth competition. Trust your intuition when you will marry him. At that time, of course you think that he is a good man and your soulmate. I think, this need to always keep in mind before you attract the wrong conclusions.
Need in Indonesian? just click here.
Read More..Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Easy Ways to Eat 5 Fruits & Vegetables a Day
Over the past few years, we’ve been bombarded with warnings about rising obesity, cancer and diabetes rates. Nearly every report makes a strong argument for the link between disease and diet. Government guidelines are advising us to eat a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables every day -- even more if we can manage, since the consensus is that you can’t eat too many vegetables. The trouble is, for many of us eating even five portions can seem like a serious challenge. When we work long hours, we naturally reach for convenience foods, almost all of which are carb-based.
Cooking at home is a lost art, with the sound of something sizzling on the stove being replaced by the beep of the microwave. This article will try to address this problem and offer some quick, easy and delicious ways to increase your daily intake of fruit and vegetables. The importance of plant foods in your diet can’t be overemphasized; they make you look and feel better and provide you with more steady energy throughout the day than convenience food can. Add a few of these tips into your daily routine, and you’ll be doing your body a huge favor. Remember, one portion is considered to be about 80 grams.
1- Smoothies
Buying an all-natural (100% fruit, no sugar added) smoothie is an easy way to boost your fruit intake. Some companies even sell vegetable smoothies. But if you’re prepared to spend 10 minutes in the kitchen, you can make a smoothie that will give you five fruit portions in one gloriously sweet hit. Two kiwis, two bananas, a handful of grapes, a handful of strawberries, and 250 ml of pure pressed apple or orange juice will do the trick. This is a full breakfast or post-workout energy boost, and if you want to add some whey protein or spirulina powder into the mix, all the better. The beauty of a well-built smoothie is that the wide variety of colors of fruit means you’re getting a wide variety of nutrients: Vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, folate, niacin, potassium, not to mention dietary fiber. You can just as easily make a vegetable smoothie as long as you use fresh, raw ingredients. If you throw some tomato juice into a vegetable smoothie, make sure that it’s not full of sugar or salt – common hidden ingredients in commercial vegetable juices.
2- Incorporate vegetables into your snacking
Try substituting something healthy for your mid-morning coffee break snack. Raw carrots, celery and other crunchy vegetables will be just as filling, and will help you avoid the drop in energy that comes after eating a high-sugar snack. Consider this: A chocolate chip muffin can contain around 700 calories. For the average man, this amounts to nearly one third of the recommended daily caloric intake, and will cause a monumental sugar crash later on. Instead of eating something that has roughly the nutritional value of an old shoe, replace it with a handful of fresh vegetables. An average carrot may contain as few as 32 calories, celery as little as 8. You could eat a pound of vegetables and still have consumed far fewer calories than you would have with that muffin. If the veggies themselves are too boring, add some hummus dip for some protein or a low-fat yogurt-based dip, but skip the dollop of ranch dressing.
3- Add fruit/berries to your breakfast
Adding something extra to your breakfast is another really quick and simple way to increase your fruit intake. If you have yogurt or cereal at breakfast, sprinkle a handful of fruit into the bowl. Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries taste great and they‘re packed with nutrients. Fresh berries can be expensive, but you can just as easily thaw a handful of frozen berries in the microwave and add them to your cereal. Adding a chopped banana will provide you with a little energy boost at the start of the day. The list of potential fruits is endless, and we don’t want to add all of them here, but if you want to keep things interesting and give yourself a range of nutrients, switch it up every so often.
4- Double up on servings
At lunch and dinner, try increasing the amount of vegetables you put on your plate. If it sounds obvious, it is. Many people put far fewer vegetables on their plate than the standard portion size of 80 grams. To make sure you’re getting your five a day, try to have two different types of vegetables in a meal. This has multiple benefits: by eating a larger amount of vegetables, you will crowd out other foods on your plate, like potatoes and meat, and chances are you eat plenty of those anyway. Reducing the higher-calorie foods (but not eliminating them altogether) can help you lose weight in addition to improving your overall health. Forget the popular misconception that fresh vegetables are expensive. Compared to microwave meals and other processed goods, vegetables are surprisingly affordable, and frozen vegetables can go a very long way and last a very long time in your freezer without compromising their healthiness.
5- Canned and frozen count too
Fruits and vegetables that have been canned or frozen retain their nutrients just as well as fresh vegetables, and in some cases, even more effectively. Frozen veggies are quick to prepare, which means getting your five a day gets even easier. Canned sweet corn, for example, can be microwaved in under two minutes, and frozen vegetables can be steamed in the microwave almost as quickly. This means you really have no excuse to be avoiding vegetables at dinner. A selection of canned and frozen vegetables with your main course, and some canned fruit for dessert (avoid fruit that is in syrup) and you can easily consume five portions of fruits and vegetables in just one sitting.
veg out
Add all these tips together, and you could easily eat between 12 and 15 portions every day without making any major changes to your lifestyle. All it takes to give yourself a huge nutritional boost is a little planning. You may inadvertently find some unexpected fringe benefits -- lower shopping bills, more energy and a slimmer waistline. It’s hard to overemphasize just how valuable getting your five (or more) each day can be. Try making sure you eat at least five fruits and vegetables every day for a week, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
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Cooking at home is a lost art, with the sound of something sizzling on the stove being replaced by the beep of the microwave. This article will try to address this problem and offer some quick, easy and delicious ways to increase your daily intake of fruit and vegetables. The importance of plant foods in your diet can’t be overemphasized; they make you look and feel better and provide you with more steady energy throughout the day than convenience food can. Add a few of these tips into your daily routine, and you’ll be doing your body a huge favor. Remember, one portion is considered to be about 80 grams.
1- Smoothies
Buying an all-natural (100% fruit, no sugar added) smoothie is an easy way to boost your fruit intake. Some companies even sell vegetable smoothies. But if you’re prepared to spend 10 minutes in the kitchen, you can make a smoothie that will give you five fruit portions in one gloriously sweet hit. Two kiwis, two bananas, a handful of grapes, a handful of strawberries, and 250 ml of pure pressed apple or orange juice will do the trick. This is a full breakfast or post-workout energy boost, and if you want to add some whey protein or spirulina powder into the mix, all the better. The beauty of a well-built smoothie is that the wide variety of colors of fruit means you’re getting a wide variety of nutrients: Vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, folate, niacin, potassium, not to mention dietary fiber. You can just as easily make a vegetable smoothie as long as you use fresh, raw ingredients. If you throw some tomato juice into a vegetable smoothie, make sure that it’s not full of sugar or salt – common hidden ingredients in commercial vegetable juices.
2- Incorporate vegetables into your snacking
Try substituting something healthy for your mid-morning coffee break snack. Raw carrots, celery and other crunchy vegetables will be just as filling, and will help you avoid the drop in energy that comes after eating a high-sugar snack. Consider this: A chocolate chip muffin can contain around 700 calories. For the average man, this amounts to nearly one third of the recommended daily caloric intake, and will cause a monumental sugar crash later on. Instead of eating something that has roughly the nutritional value of an old shoe, replace it with a handful of fresh vegetables. An average carrot may contain as few as 32 calories, celery as little as 8. You could eat a pound of vegetables and still have consumed far fewer calories than you would have with that muffin. If the veggies themselves are too boring, add some hummus dip for some protein or a low-fat yogurt-based dip, but skip the dollop of ranch dressing.
3- Add fruit/berries to your breakfast
Adding something extra to your breakfast is another really quick and simple way to increase your fruit intake. If you have yogurt or cereal at breakfast, sprinkle a handful of fruit into the bowl. Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries taste great and they‘re packed with nutrients. Fresh berries can be expensive, but you can just as easily thaw a handful of frozen berries in the microwave and add them to your cereal. Adding a chopped banana will provide you with a little energy boost at the start of the day. The list of potential fruits is endless, and we don’t want to add all of them here, but if you want to keep things interesting and give yourself a range of nutrients, switch it up every so often.
4- Double up on servings
At lunch and dinner, try increasing the amount of vegetables you put on your plate. If it sounds obvious, it is. Many people put far fewer vegetables on their plate than the standard portion size of 80 grams. To make sure you’re getting your five a day, try to have two different types of vegetables in a meal. This has multiple benefits: by eating a larger amount of vegetables, you will crowd out other foods on your plate, like potatoes and meat, and chances are you eat plenty of those anyway. Reducing the higher-calorie foods (but not eliminating them altogether) can help you lose weight in addition to improving your overall health. Forget the popular misconception that fresh vegetables are expensive. Compared to microwave meals and other processed goods, vegetables are surprisingly affordable, and frozen vegetables can go a very long way and last a very long time in your freezer without compromising their healthiness.
5- Canned and frozen count too
Fruits and vegetables that have been canned or frozen retain their nutrients just as well as fresh vegetables, and in some cases, even more effectively. Frozen veggies are quick to prepare, which means getting your five a day gets even easier. Canned sweet corn, for example, can be microwaved in under two minutes, and frozen vegetables can be steamed in the microwave almost as quickly. This means you really have no excuse to be avoiding vegetables at dinner. A selection of canned and frozen vegetables with your main course, and some canned fruit for dessert (avoid fruit that is in syrup) and you can easily consume five portions of fruits and vegetables in just one sitting.
veg out
Add all these tips together, and you could easily eat between 12 and 15 portions every day without making any major changes to your lifestyle. All it takes to give yourself a huge nutritional boost is a little planning. You may inadvertently find some unexpected fringe benefits -- lower shopping bills, more energy and a slimmer waistline. It’s hard to overemphasize just how valuable getting your five (or more) each day can be. Try making sure you eat at least five fruits and vegetables every day for a week, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Read More..
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