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Friday 9 September 2011

Homemade Tomato Juice – How to Do It Right

The biggest problem I have run into in making and bottling my own tomato juice is how to get the juice to not separate in the bottles. If you have ever bottled tomato juice or other puree juices, you will know what I am talking about. The thick part of the juice seems to separate from the watery part. So, how do you keep it from doing that? It can seem to be a little tricky, but it is possible. First, I want to talk a little bit about tomatoes.

Tomato plants used to be more acid. Over the years, seed growers have cross bred the tomatoes to create sweeter varieties. This has caused us to need to change the way we preserve the tomatoes so they will be safe to eat. There are different ways of preserving food that is on different parts of the acid-base scale. The more acid foods can be boiling- water-bath processed safely and the food will keep well in the bottles and be safe. The more alkaline foods need to be preserved in a pressure cooker if you are bottling them. Tomatoes have moved from more acid toward neutral and because of this they must be acidified when they are bottled.

It takes a lot of time and money to conduct the tests to set the processing times and methods for each food. For this reason, the Agriculture Extension Service has recommended that we acidify the tomatoes back to near what they used to be and also cook them for longer periods of time or at higher heat so they will be safe to eat right from the bottles. Many people do not heat tomatoes up right out of the bottle, and because of this they must be processed long enough to kill potential botulism spores that may be in them. Botulism toxin is odorless, tasteless, and can be deadly if ingested. If we simmer bottled food for 20 minutes after opening the bottles the toxins will be destroyed and the food will be safe to eat.

Making tomato juice will be easier if you use a food strainer sauce maker to puree the tomatoes. There are several on the market that are good and there are extra screens and spirals you can purchase to puree berries, pumpkin, and make salsa. You will also need a heavy stock pot or pan to cook your tomatoes before you puree them. Along with the sauce maker and stock pot, you will need a container to catch the tomato juice as it comes out of the sauce maker, long handled instruments for stirring, a few scrapers, and a cup or small pan to transfer the cooked tomatoes to the food strainer. To cut down on the kitchen and house mess, I like to do my juicing on my patio where I can hose it down when I am done. That way I do not have to be so careful, but I have done it all in my kitchen in the past.

The first thing you will want to do with your ripe tomatoes is wash them. You don't need to core them or cut them if they are small, but check them over and make sure they have no bad spots on them. The juice will only be as good as the produce you use to make it from. They key to making juice that will not separate is to get the tomatoes from the whole, raw state to the cooked state as quickly as possible. When you cut through the cells of the tomato it crushes the cell walls and starts the separation process of the juice from the pulp. The less you can cut it and the faster you heat it the better the juice will be. I begin to cook a few tomatoes in the pan while I am cutting the larger ones and I just keep adding and stirring them as I cut. You do not want to crush by stirring too much, but you also do not want the tomatoes to stick on the pan and burn. Cook the tomatoes until they are soft clear through. You do not need to take the skins or cores out because they will be separated when you put them through the food strainer. Now it is time to put them through the food strainer sauce maker. When this is complete, bring your juice back to a boil, ladle it into the clean, hot bottles, add your acid and salt or other flavorings, clean the lip of the bottle and put the hot canning lid and ring on and twist on tight. You are now ready to process your tomato juice. Check with your local Agriculture extension agent for recommended amounts of acid, times and methods of processing at your altitude. To acidify you can use citric acid or lemon juice.

Homemade tomato juice is one of my favorites. If you garden, you will want to know how to preserve those extra tomatoes for use during the cold or hot season when you can't grow the fresh ones. Tomatoes are one of the few foods that have healthy nutrients in them that are better for you when cooked. Enjoy your glass of tomato juice or tomato soup knowing you are getting good nutrition.

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Understanding Weight Problems And Its Outcome

By Elvira Santiago Xavier


Whether you are or are not dealing with it, obesity is something that you should become knowledgeable about. These days, it is a problem that you or someone in your family will deal with at some point in time. By learning about the causes and effects of obesity, you can prevent it from happening to you. Or, if you're already obese, start to form a plan of action that will allow you to lose the amount of weight you need to lose to be healthy.

People often become resigned to being overweight if they have been for a long time. Often people will try to stop smoking but fail in doing so and this is the same as people who try to lose some weight but don't succeed. By making changes, you can start to undo some damage that you have done to yourself, and this is the same for smoking and obesity.

The same as a person can start getting healthy straight away from stopping smoking, a person can get start getting healthier by loosing weight. Even reducing your weight by 10% can bring you significant health benefits, so don't feel you have to lose a large amount of weight all at once. People who eat out often will discover that they slowly gain weight. Many times people like to eat out because it is much simpler than cooking. But, this can make you ignorant to the amount of calories that you eat. A lot of restaurants generally serve high calorie big portions. Fast food restaurants make it cheap and easy to "super-size" portions. When you dine at a buffet or salad bar, you can put as much food as you want on your plate These things can all chip in to a growing waistline if you constantly eat your meals out. If you eat out less often, take your lunch to work and watch your portions, then restaurants cannot increase your waistline.

The BMI measures your weight and your height and puts them into a formula. This formula is calculated using the metric system, and consists of your body weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters. The scale of the BMI is if you are over 25 you are classed as overweight and if it is over 30 then you are considered obese. Even though people have naturally different bone structures and body types, the BMI is still found to be accurate. Your doctor can calculate your BMI for you if you are unsure about it still.

Certain drugs used to treat depression, for example, have been known to cause rapid weight gain. Weight gain can also be caused by some other drugs like steroids, high blood pressure, diabetes and anti-seizure medication. Ask your doctor if you can change medication if you think this is a problem for you, do not just stop taking the medication as it could be dangerous. In conclusion, obesity has become an unfortunate by-product of modern life and its convenience foods and sedentary lifestyle. But, you do not have to be obese forever if you can adjust some things in your lifestyle and stick with those changes. The more that you find out about obesity, the more that you see it is very dangerous.

It's important to obtain the appropriate footwear before beginning a workout program. Most people concentrate on getting top quality shoes, but you also need quality socks as well. Talk with your favorite shoe store for more information.




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Spiritual Life Coaching: Law of Manifesting

By Jason Lincoln Jeffers


Abundance exists all around you; leaves on the trees, blades of grass in the fields, insects, birds, air, earth, water in the ocean, cells in your body, atoms in the cells, and on and on. In the world of form, there is never-ending abundance. So, there's no need to "create abundance" because, in truth, abundance is all there is. What you can do, however, is create abundance in the forms that you choose, such as money or material goods.

The key to manifesting abundance for yourself is to begin by identifying and being grateful for the abundance that you already have. Even if you are in dire straits, you can surely be grateful for the air that you breathe through your lungs, for being alive, having your health, being able to walk, see, or hear. Simple things that we tend to overlook can be seen as abundance in our lives such as a having cup of tea and a sandwich for lunch. As you begin to be thankful for the abundance that already is, you will begin to naturally attract more abundance to you in the forms that you intend.

Manifesting abundance begins with a thought. Once the creative thought is determined, you'll want to add some positive, heart-based emotion to that thought just as you would water a germinated seed. For example, if your creative thought is to start a new business venture, then you'll want to be filled with excitement and joy at the possibility of making this simple thought a reality. That's the second step; emotion.

The third part of the manifesting equation is visualization. Begin and end each day by spending a few minutes in a quiet, meditative state where you are visualizing your new business grow, take off, and become a success. Visualize your customers or clients, and your interaction with them. Visualize your bank account increasing from $5,000 to $10,000 to $50,000 to $100,000 until you reach a number that you're happy with. Remember, when it comes to manifesting, the sky is the limit.

The fourth element in the manifesting equation is to take action. This begins by having a solid, practical, and organized plan to take your business from start to success. So, you'll want to begin writing down all of your ideas and then reviewing them. Goal-setting with dates is also very important. Make sure you separate short-term goals from long-term goals.

After these four steps are completed, you'll be ready to apply the fifth and most important step of the equation; belief. Without belief, the prior four steps will be insignificant. You have to believe in your creative thought in order for it to become your reality. This means not reacting or resisting to temporary failures or setbacks. Every new venture will always show signs of failure, virtually on every step of the way. Belief will allow your mind to stay focused on the here and now and not be deluded by what may or may not happen in the future. As long as your business is still up and running, you will always have the potential for success, no matter how bad things seem to be.

And so, the law of manifesting equations is as follows: thought + emotion + visualization + action + belief = manifested reality




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Friday 26 August 2011

How to Lose Belly Fat With Low Carbs

We all understand the importance of having the least amount of fat on our tummies as possible. This in turn means that we must consume less carbohydrates to make it more possible for us to lose belly fat. Too much belly fat has been known to contribute to a variety of health problems including heart failure, heart attacks, obesity, depression, anxiety, and diabetes. There is no excuse for not trying to get rid of your excess fat. A diet low in carbohydrates will not only allow us to feel better, but we will also allow us to lose weight quickly. Did you know that for every 1 gram of carbohydrates that are consumed, 3 grams of water are also attracted to that? When you tone down on the carbohydrates, you lose water weight as well, and that can really make a big difference in the long run.

The idea of of removing carbohydrates completely out of your diet is a little unstable. We need carbohydrates in order to lose weight quickly and also to lose belly fat. But, it is the amount that we consume that is so important. The types of carbohydrates that are in our diets are also a main factor to how much we weigh. If our diets are loaded with bad carbohydrates like white breads, pastas, rice, sugary cereals, and baked goods, then you better believe that you are going to have a very hard time trying to lose belly fat. However, if your diet is filled with carbohydrates like wheat breads, whole grain pastas, whole grain rice, green vegetables, and high fiber cereals, then you have a much better chance to lose weight quickly.

Alternating low carbohydrate days with regular carbohydrate consumption days is a better long term plan to abide by in order to lose belly fat. One cannot expect to be able to burn calories when they have no energy. Too many carbohydrates will only weigh you down and add more fat and water weight to your body. Basically, no amount of exercise will benefit you if you are not willing to tone down on your carbs. It is practically like taking one step forward and three steps back every time. Try to alternate low carbohydrate and regular carbohydrate consumption days on an every other day basis in order to lose weight quickly. This will make the diet easier to stick to, and on your regular carbohydrate consumption days, only eat good carbs like the ones discussed above.

When it all comes down to it, adequate nutrition is your best bet when trying to lose belly fat. If you feel like you have cut your carbohydrate intake down too low to the point that it is making you sick, you should consider adding one more healthy options to your diet. Experiment with your carbohydrates, and make sure that you are eating a variety of foods. If you follow a great low carb, and evenly balanced diet high in proper nutrition, there will be no doubt that you will lose weight quickly. It will just come naturally.
To Learn Secret Strategies to burn fat 24 hours a day, log on to the Abs Workout homepage. You can also grab your free No B.S. Fat Burning Newsletter at Abdominal Exercise


Some Books you might find interesting

Health: The Basics, Green Edition  


The Seven Pillars of Health

How to Lose My Belly Fat - Is Frustration the Key?

Are you asking yourself how can I lose my belly fat? Before you do melt away those pounds, you have to get fed up with your current weight and you have to commit to doing something about it. I know that I can be quite frustrating to hear your friends and colleagues talk about or make sly references about your belly but this is a good thing. If you just sit around and say to yourself, "it's not that bad" or "I'm much better then I used to be" then there's no desire to make a change and you won't. You have to get dissatisfied to the point where change is a must.

Now that you really want a change, here are a few tips that I used to lose my belly fat:

1.Proper diet and or supplementation: I know that it can be hard to make your diet comprise of mostly healthy foods but this is essential. I like to make a daily smoothie with a mix of high antioxidant foods like blueberries and cocoa (raw chocolate). I also add some of the most powerful supplements and super foods. You could do a simple google search to find the top choices.

2.Take a walk: Some say that 10,000 steps should be taken daily but there has not been any research to prove that this is the magic number. Studies show that 6,000 steps a day actually increase longevity and health. These number may seem like a lot at first but in reality, 6,000 steps is easily achieved in about a half hour.

3.Find something fun! Studies have shown time and time again that if you don't enjoy the exercise that you're doing, you probably won't stick with it very long. If you really want to lose those extra pounds, why not make it enjoyable. Find something you enjoy that will burn some calories while you're doing it.


Some Books you might find interesting 

Health: The Basics, Green Edition  


The Seven Pillars of Health




Lose Belly Fat Seven Tips to a Trimmer Stomach

For a lot of people who are unsatisfied with the appearance of their bodies, losing weight isn't the challenge. The challenge lies in trying to lose belly fat. This can be a tough area to slim down if you don't know how. I am please to say there are easy ways to confront this head on, and by following these seven tips, losing tummy fat can be easy.

1) Take a look at what you eat. In order to lose stomach fat, it's essential to eat a wide range of foods in your diet, rather than to "diet". Your body needs a certain blend of nutrients that can only be achieved by a healthy diet that includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, calcium rich foods and even omega fats.

2) Are you getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals? There are lots of vitamins and mineral supplements out there that experts claim will help you lose belly fat, but a better way to get these nutrients is through a healthy diet. Before starting any supplement that claims to reduce tummy fat, follow tip seven.

3) Kick alcohol and smoking out of your lifestyle. While we talking about the subject of stress, the toxins in cigarettes and alcoholic beverages are scientifically proven to increase the natural stress reaction in your body. Not only is cutting smoking and alcohol out of your diet part of a better lifestyle, but it also helps you lose tummy fat by dropping down stress.

4) Exercise. This tip should not surprise you, as the main cause of stomach fat is a sedentary lifestyle. In order to lose tummy fat, get 30 minutes to an hour of cardio exercise per day, and strength train three to five times a week. Building muscle will lead to better metabolism, which will burn fat more effectively. Once you begin to drop off your belly fat, the effects of abdominal training will start to become clear.



5) Destress your life. Stress is renowned for increases in weight, especially belly fat. Whilst a healthier overall lifestyle that includes a wide verity of different whole foods and regular exercise will naturally keep your stress levels, there are other things that will make a difference to lose belly fat. Make time for yourself and your hobbies, and monitor your stress levels.

6) Understand hormones and the effect they have on tummy fat. Hormones come in two varieties, at least for our purpose - stress hormones, and hormonal changes. Stress hormones can be addressed by following tips three and five. Hormonal changes also affect belly fat; as we age, hormones change the way our bodies break down and store fat. The general solution to dealing with this unfair fact is having a healthy way of life as you age.

7) Follow your doctor's advice. A powerful ally in the battle to lose belly fat is your doctor. He or she can help you create a plan for a healthier lifestyle, as well as rule out any medical conditions for your weight issue. The support of your practitioner and the support of a weight loss club can prove to be the difference in achieving your goals and keeping you focused.


Some Books you might find interesting

Health: The Basics, Green Edition  


The Seven Pillars of Health



Reduce Your Fat Tummy - Lose Belly Fat and Tone Your Abs For Life

How long have you been getting up in the morning, looking in the mirror, sucking in your fat tummy then letting out a big sigh of defeat and being miserable for the rest of your day. Belly fat is not as hard to burn off as you think. By following a set routine of healthy eating, regular exercise and patience and discipline, you can reduce your fat tummy and tone your abs in just a few weeks.

By learning how to eat healthy and when and what to eat, you can change your body's metabolism, cholesterol level, blood pressure and plenty of other necessary changes to help reduce belly fat and make it easier to tone your stomach. Learn how to cook healthy delicious recipes, which food types to avoid and which are perfect. Teaching your body and mind how to live a healthier lifestyle will condition yourself to reduce your fat tummy, tone your abs and keep it that way forever.

Coupled with your new lifestyle, a steady, regular training regime will reduce your fat belly, burn off tummy flab and flatten your stomach within weeks. Just a regular 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week in your own home is all you will need to do, so long as your are keeping up your healthy eating program. 10 minutes of crunches and leg raises along with 20 minutes of fat burning exercises, will reduce your fat tummy and tone your abs in no time at all.

If you are serious about reducing your belly fat and toning your stomach, then you have to be disciplined, have patience and keep your faith. As long as you follow your set plan and don't cheat on yourself....not too often anyway. A rewarding meal out every couple of months won't set you back too much....YOU WILL reduce your tummy and tone your abs, and if you continue to live your new, heathy eating lifestyle, you will lose your belly fat for life.

Burning off your belly fat and firming your stomach is not as hard as you may thing. With the proper diet and regular steady exercise you will lose your tummy flab and flatten your stomach in no time and keep it that way forever.