Category Archives: Foods

Increase Platelets – Eliminate These Foods If You Have Itp Blood Disease

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If you have Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura can you increase platelets by eating the right foods?

Or for that matter can you decrease platelets by eating the wrong foods?

The answer is yes on both accounts. Eating properly can have a major impact on your ITP disease. But just how can you increase platelets?

First you must be very mindful of what you put into your body in the way of food. Rememberthat ITP is a breakdown of your immune system mostly caused by rampant inflammation in the body. Many foods are known antagonists to your immune system and should be avoided like the plague. Also, you may be sensitive to certain foods and they can irritate your system and cause your ITP disorder to worsen.

On the opposite side of the fence, there are also many super foods out there that can build up your immune system thereby helping you increase platelets.

Foods to Eliminate if you want to increase platelets.

Sugars table sugar, commercial syrups, (especially high fructose corn syrup which basically wreaks havoc with our metabolism and immune system causing inflammation in the body- unfortunately now days HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup is prevalent in a majority of our foods )

Refined Grains white flour, white rice, processed breakfast cereals, pasta etc. (these foods have had most of the good stuff removed and then a bunch of synthetic vitamins added which are not good for your battle to increase platelets.

Processed Food Packaged food AKA dead useless food. Not only do these foods do nothing for your health but they are actually in the long run harmful and will do nothing to help you increase platelets. The cardboard box is probably better for you than what is in it!

Bad Fat Commercial vegetable oils, margarines and especially trans fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) If you want to increase your platelets be sure to eliminate all the above from your diet!

Nutritional Supplements Not all vitamin and mineral supplements are created equal and a large percentage of supplements on the market have been proven to actually cause free radical formation which in turn causes inflammation which will never help increase platelets. Instead they could actually cause you to have low blood platelets.

Dairy So many people are actually sensitive to dairy products without even knowing it, and our commercially available dairy products will not help you increase platelets. With all the hormones and antibiotics that are given to our cows, coupled with the processing that is used, dairy products as we know them today are very acid forming in our body, which in turn will increase inflammation and never help to increase platelets.

Fast Food Increase platelets? No way. These are highly processed foods laden with highly saturated fats for longer shelf life and chock full of all sorts of chemical preservatives and fillers. Not only will you get fat by eating fast food, you will become inflamed and get sick. Fast food will NEVER increase platelets!

Benefits Of Having A Food Processor In Your Kitchen

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Food processors started to make their appearance way back in the early sixties. Since then this product has steadily grown in popularity up to a point where the food processor has become an essential component for many modern cooking methods. Chefs have created countless delicious recipes through the use of this appliance. The food processor is a kitchen aid that no cook can do without.

A necessity in every kitchen

Considering how much time and labor is spent when using the traditional methods of chopping, grating and kneading, it has become very difficult indeed for the modern parent to prepare a decent home cooked meal. As most parents opt for having careers rather than staying at home, cooking time has become very limited. The repetitive action of chopping, shredding, pureeing or slicing is enough to make any working person disgruntled and run off to the nearest fast food outlet.

The food processor has virtually eliminated all the labor involved and has cut down on the preparation time. Modern chefs make extensive use of food processors. The appliance has become such a necessity that it can no longer be seen as a showpiece item that will only be used occasionally.

Virtually every single food program on television will show the chef armed with a chefs knife and a food processor. This has increased the usage of the appliance even more as most of these dishes are designed for the home cook. The creation of wholesome, nutritious and delectable dishes have become a breeze and done in no time at all. This is precisely what the home cook requires and is difficult to achieve without the use of a food processor.

How does it work?

A food processor is an electrical appliance that is made up of a mixing bowl and a range of blades and disks. The mixing bowl would ideally be able to hold 9 cups as the processing of liquids just about cuts the capacity in half. The feeding tube on the lid should wide enough for larger pieces of food. The processors are fitted with a safety feature and will only start processing once the lid and bowl is locked and sealed.

These safety features are a requirement and apply to all makes of food processors. Some of these appliances are fitted with suction pads at the base to prevent the machine from moving around during processing. There are basically two types of blades that come with the processor. The essential ones are the s-shaped stainless steel blade and the plastic blade. The stainless steel blade can be fitted at the bottom of the bowl to allow for easy chopping, shredding, mixing or blending of vegetables and meat. The plastic blade is mainly for mixing bread and pizza dough. The two disks that usually come with a food processor are designed for slicing and grating purposes.

The slicing disk has various thickness settings. Disks used for grating purposes also come in different sizes. The processor is usually fitted with more than one speed option. The pulse controls come in very handy when making bread or pizza dough, as it will help to create a perfect texture and not over mix it. A citrus press for juicing oranges, limes or grapefruit and an egg whip that can be used for baking purposes are other essential attachments. Some food processors have extra or optional features and attachments that could be useful for certain people depending on what their requirements are.

A mini processor that can be used for grinding spices like cardamom and cinnamon stick is quite a nifty attachment. It can also be used for chopping smaller quantities of vegetables, fruit or herbs. Appliances fitted with touch pad controls prevent any liquids from entering the panel and can therefore be easily cleaned. Another handy option is the chute that leads to another bowl. Large amounts of food can be processed without stopping as it simply enters into another bowl when the main one starts filling up.

Be selective when purchasing a processor

These options are useful but not always necessary as it can affect the price when purchasing a food processor. Investing in a good quality food processor can become a costly affair, but a food processor can save time and help to create healthy and delicious dishes in no time. If you do have a family and prefer home cooked meals then a food processor will be a worthwhile investment.

If you do not have a family to entertain on a regular basis, then you will be able to prepare gourmet dishes at a fraction of the cost with a good food processor. The range is wide and varied and will certainly meet all requirements for the ardent home cook.

Almonds and Cholesterol – Are Almonds a Heart-Healthy Snack

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Almonds and Cholesterol: Are Almonds Really a Heart-Healthy Snack?

It seems that many people are experiencing confusion over almonds and if they should or shouldn’t be included as part of a heart healthy diet. On one hand, almonds are reported to lower bad LDL cholesterol. On the other hand, almonds are a calorie-dense food that’s also high in fat.

Numerous studies, including one by the British Journal of Medicine, has shown convincing evidence that regular almond consumption helps lower bad LDL cholesterol. And not just any LDL, but it’s been shown to reduce the small dense LDL particles that do the most damage to your arterial walls and puts you at a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

So what about the question of almonds being high in fat? Over 60% of the fat content in almonds is monounsaturated fats. (This is the same type of fat that is found in olive oil.) Monounsaturated fat is widely accepted to be a key ingredient to reducing the risk of heart disease and part of a heart-healthy diet.

But the health benefits of almonds doesn’t stop with having healthy natural fat and it’s ability to lower low-density lipoproteins. Almonds pack an antioxidant punch with it’s high levels of Vitamin E. And with over 60 mg of magnesium in a quarter-cup of almonds, that’s just more good news for your heart. You see, magnesium has been shown to help improve blood flow and make things ‘easy’ on your veins and arteries. (Translation: Less stress and work for your heart.)

Concerned about adding too many calories if you start eating almonds? Truth is, almonds have been shown to be beneficial at helping aid weight loss. But if you are just a little too ‘scared’ to add more calories, do this…

Substitute almonds for other foods vs. adding almonds to your existing diet. In fact, it’s been estimated by some researchers based on date from a Nurses Health Study that replacing carbohydrates with healthy nuts like almonds may low the risk of heart disease by as much as 30%. The risk may be lowered as much as 45% if you substitute nuts with saturated fats like those founds in meat and dairy.

Looking for some ways to add almonds to your diet? Try these…

– Add almonds to your salad instead of meat or croutons
– Add to your morning cereals (hot or cold)
– Add to yogurt for a tasty crunch
– Add sliced almonds to vegetable dish (great with green beans)
– Eat with a sandwich as a crunchy substitute for chips
– Two words: Almond butter!

And not surprising, eating almond as a “whole food” is optimal for maximum health benefits. The antioxidant punch mentioned previously is more than doubled when the skins are combined with the meat of the almond, compared to either one separately.

Use A Food Warmer To Serve Hot Food Every Time

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As you well know a good food warmer is beneficial and a dime a dozen, too. There are plenty of types of those out there such as stoves, ovens, microwaves, broilers, and toaster ovens. The benefits are widely known because you could get sick if you eat foods raw. However, there are finally strides that benefit the younger generations too. The electric baby food warmer is beneficial in a lot of ways.

You may use the baby food warmer to warm milk and actual baby food. For years we have been content to make the baby food warmer with the microwave or counter top stove, but that no longer is good enough. What about when you’re running around and the baby begins to cry for its bottle? Do you really want to give the baby cold milk within the winter? No! Naturally you don’t! Take out your baby food warmer and plug it into your car lighter’s outlet. You aren’t always in the know in regards to how well done the food or milk is warmed but with this apparatus you can tell the food is warm just by being alerted with sensors.

On top of that this new type of food warmer also has an ability to use batteries based on the design of that make and model. This is truly a fantastic invention, however there are actually downsides.

The downsides vary and may be annoying or even dangerous. Inferior products will melt baby bottles due to them getting too hot. Then there are the ones that don’t get hot enough. That means that the foods aren’t going to be warmed completely and as finicky as babies and small kids are we can’t even contemplate risking which will we? Our children deserve the absolute best and it is fantastic that we are becoming so technologically advanced (although I do feel we are a bit behind on that as it is so terribly basic) enough to be able to make sure that the kids will probably be enjoying warm foods. Buying the absolutely best and proven device will insure that the child will not deal with a burnt mouth or tongue and on top of that if something is warm on the outside and cold on the inside a child will scream up a storm.

Nothing is more soothing than heat during the times of teething and colic. It will sooth an upset belly and it will most of all sooth gums that are in some serious pain. Growing teeth doesn’t come easily, it is a level of pain that babies and young kids can’t handle. While teething rings tend to be cold, heat also helps as long as it isn’t too hot.

Make sure when you are going to buy a food warmer you do research first. Be sure that the reviews are positive, don’t skimp on the money, and remember the reality that you get what you pay for. We can all find fantastic deals via the internet, but always be careful to ensure you’re getting a food warmer from the most reputable dealers you might.

How To Get A Film Star Complexion Fast…. With The Raw Food Diet

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How to get a Film Star Complexion and be the envy of your friends with RFD ?

Many of the benefits Ive discovered over many years on the Raw Food diet, is that my skin tone has improved dramatically.

Althought Im male and in my sixties, Ive noticed how my skin has softened, the frown lines are less intense, as are the laughter lines around the eyes. So much so that people often remark that I look at least 10 years younger than my years!

Thats a great ego – boost, but Im more interested in the benefits of eating a mainly Raw Food diet. I run regularly around the hills where I live, and often leave much younger men behind . That’s just to say it really works.

Now, skin is nourished from the inside, and its re-hydrated from the organic water we obtain [which is incidentally the only pure water on the planet] from natures own fruits and vegetables.

Its true to say that a clean exterior comes from a clean interior, so you need to undertake first of all, a detox. That is, if you really want to have a pure and glowing film-star complexion.

But dont panic. It will not be hard I promise . In fact, you will positively enjoy it.

Now, let me outline the simple procedure which will, if you, follow it precisely , help you to get that blotchy, dull-looking skin you may be suffering with currently, transformed into a bright, clear, glowing countenance.

First ,for Breakfast ,take a large fresh orange, a good firm lime[greener the better] peel and put through a juicer extactor together with a generous sized slice of lemon. Drink and enjoy. That’s the first thing you do in the morning.
Nothing else at all.

Then, for lunch; a small salad of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, grated carrot and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Then for the evening meal, a large mixed salad , more or less whatever you choose. However, absolutely no dairy product , such as cheese or yoghurt or anything of that ilk.

Now please note,everything must be fresh,natural, uncooked. Drink plenty of water.

Do this programme for at least 3 days,and extend to a week if possible.

If you are like most folks who have undertaken this diet, you will report not only a marked difference in your skin tone,but also your energy levels too.

And thats not all; You will find there are numerous extra benefits you`ll enjoy apart from the initial detox.

For example, weight loss (often a pound per day) thicker healthier hair,healthier teeth and gums and better quality of sleep. Hows that for starters? Go raw,you won’t regret it!