Healthy Options to Eating - Vegan is not the province up north!

Vegan or Vegetarian? what to do? what to do?

Before we go any further with your decision as to what kind of eating habit or lifestyle you would like to commit to... I would like to "school" you on the differences in the terms people use now:

Let’s take a look at some of these groups:

VEGETARIAN:Vegetarian is a blanket term used to describe a person who does not consume meat, poultry, fish, or seafood.

This grouping includes vegans and the various sub- categories of vegetarian; however, it generally implies someone who has less dietary restrictions than a vegan.

SEMI-VEGETARIAN:The term semi-vegetarian is usually used to describe someone who is a vegetarian who consumes dairy products, eggs, chicken, and fish, but does not consume other animal flesh.
OVO-LACTO-VEGETARIAN:Ovo-lacto vegetarians are vegetarians who do not consume meat, poultry, fish, and seafood, but do consume eggs and milk. This is the largest group of vegetarians.

OVO-VEGETARIAN:Ovo-vegetarian is a term used to describe someone who would be a vegan if they did not consume eggs.

LACTO-VEGETARIAN:Lacto-vegetarian is a term used to describe someone who would be a vegan if they did not consume milk.

VEGAN:Vegan is the strictest sub-category of vegetarians. Vegans do not consume any animal products or by-products. Some go as far as not even consuming honey and yeast. Others do not wear any clothing made from animal products.

Important:Take some time to figure out for yourself, what group you will belong to when you become a vegetarian. You will want to consider both dietary and ethical reasons for choosing this lifestyle.

So whenever you decide to change your eating habits, you have these options. Just make sure that you are comfortable to the change and and that you are fully committed to it. Chickening out is not an option when its preventive health. Its a matter of mistakes in the diet that can lead to some kind of dreaded disease. Be a smart shopper/eater! Enjoy!

-stmye

Count Your Calories!

Count my calories?? Who wants to do that? I always thought it was tedious and just ain't worth my time.

Well if you value your health and want to manage your weight, the same amount you put in marching down the nearest Mc Donald's walking in the heat, sitting through traffic and waiting in line at the counter... Yes you can count your calories!

I found this website that helps you count the calories and nutritional value of any kind of food in the market. Just type it in in the search bar and it gives you a selection of the specific amount, size or brand of the food you are trying to find. The website's name is http://caloriecount.about.com/ you can sign up and keep a log of all of the food you consumed in a day and the site helps you calculate if you exceeded the standard 2000 calorie diet.

If you have the patience to do it. Involve your kids in the calorie counting, or maybe your husband/wife, partner.

I tried to "school" the yaya (filipino for baby sitter) about being careful of which choice of food she should give my kids. She is so traditional that to her as long as the kid likes it and is eating, that's all that matters. Well NO! I disagree. I would've been thankful if my mom was more creative with the food she served when I was a kid. All I remember is.. vegetables tastes yucky! And since I was an only child for the first 10 years I got what I wanted. Not a good thing. I had to learn how to eat right thank God! But my point is you should start looking at the nutritional value of the kind of food you eat in the home especially what you feed your kids otherwise, it will become a habit. Be it bad or good. Start now visit the website and count your calories!

-st.mye

Eating Healthy this Christmas

Christmas is always a wonderful holiday that we think of fondly. But most of us dread this holiday because of the unhealthy food we "have to eat". Because your family will take it against you if you don't touch tita's famous Christmas Caldereta, or your mom's scrumptious Morcon!
But don't fret! We have ways to eat holiday delights our family prepared without taking its toll on our body the next week. Here are some tips:
1. Eat small portions.
I know this is going to be a challenge but try to control yourself by eating smaller portions and savoring the taste instead of gobbling it all up. Show some class :)
2. Cut down the sugar.
If you have a sweet tooth then this is going to be a huge leap for you. Try to drink about 350 ml of water (preferably with wheat grass powder) before you go to a function. This will lessen your cravings for sweets and other "eye candy" food for you.
3. Switch up.
If you are a fan of red meat or pork, try eating chicken, fish, seafood or veggies this next Christmas gathering. If you can manage, try making your own version of spaghetti. Instead of beef use tuna. I've tried it the kids love it!

Also try this new recipe!

Its easier with wheatgrass powder. I use Easy Pha-Max Wheatgrass Pure or with honey.

You can add different types of fruit like banana, apple, orange, grapes, cherries, strawberries, or whatever type of fruit that you would like.Chop the fruit into one inch squares and then put the fruit and the wheatgrass juice into a blender. Add a tablespoon or two of your favorite yogurt, preferable low fat yogurt if you have it handy. If you would like to add a little fiber or grain to your smoothie, then you can throw in a cup of oatmeal or granola, whatever you prefer. Top it all off with a little milk or even your favorite juice such as cranberry, apple, grape, or orange juice to give it a bit more of a smooth texture. Blend it all together until you have a great tasting smoothie that is loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals and plenty of wholesome goodness.

Have healthy happy holiday with your loved ones!

-st. mye


Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/how-to-make-a-great-tasting-wheatgrass-smoothie-2256440.html#ixzz18hqkjTRM Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Vegie talkin about????

When I was a kid, my mom had the hardest time getting me to eat my vegies. I never thought I would be "turned on" to vegies ever in my life. Of course we all grow mature and learn the values of nutrition and health. After the year 2000 more and more people are looking into preventive health.
The most important part of preventive health care is maintaining good health habits. This includes:

• • Avoiding alcohol use or using it in moderation

  • Avoiding smoking and drug abuse
  • Controlling any diseases or disorders, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high levels of cholesterol in the blood
  • Controlling weight
  • Getting daily exercise
  • Getting proper nutrition

  In addition to these habits, some screening services may help prevent or minimize disease.

In my quest to better myself in terms of health I came across some herbal alternatives to improve all around health and well-being. I have been introduced to Morringa (Malunggay) and its natural healing abilities. Barley is also another popular alternative but the one that really got my interest is Wheatgrass. My mother and brother had fallen victim to the big "C" (cancer). So naturally I am terrified to be part of another statistic. I have learned that cancer cells cannot live in an alkaline environment and hearing that Wheatgrass is dubbed the "King of Alkaline food", I naturally wanted to try it.
Surprisingly it tastes good. For someone who shrieks at the thought of eating blended "greens" , I liked it. I am not crazy about vegetables and fruits. Yeah, I know , I know, you tree-huggers out there and vegetarians are thinking "this woman is crazy not to like vegies!". But I am trying folks! I am trying to better myself and I am starting with my insides (literally). I am not talking about inner beauty and sprituality- that's another topic/blog. I am talking about cleansing my body by drinking wheatgrass juice. I am lucky that I need not go to the grocery and buy the raw kind, buy a juicer and make it myself. That can be grueling and costly! I found a powdered juice that is great alternative to your carrot and tomato juices! You just get cold water from your fridge, open the packet and voila! You have a healthy drink!

I will keep you posted on the good and bad of drinking wheatgrass. Stay tuned.

-saintmye