Burn Fat with Carbs

Here's another reason to love potatoes more. Recent studies show that many high-carbohydrate foods, like potatoes, are also high in weight-controlling "resistant starch." The starch, which is not digested in your small intestine, seems to stimulate hormones that make you feel full and even help your body burn 20 percent more fat, experts say. Cold potatoes (like the ones boiled, chilled and then put in potato salad) are a great source. Chilling them develops the "resistant starch." Not fond of potato salad? Pasta salad, corn tortillas and beans are good choices as well.

Hairy Matters!

RT | WW - Father and Son

My cousin in law and his newly born son, Joaquin.

Happy Memorial Day!

More broccoli, please

You know very well that calcium is the key for strong bones, but some researchers have identified something else we need, and it's vitamin K. This can be found in broccoli, spinach and other dark leafy vegetables. Vitamin K is believed to help calcium deposit in the bones, making them more dense. And when your bones are stronger, the whole body becomes stronger too, and the lower your chances of an injury that could cause back pain. So remember to add more broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens in your diet, they will help your bones become stronger. :)

Thank You Monica!!!

RT | WW - Pit Stop

Model of Ferrari pit crew in action.

Let's Save Our World Meme

This tag came from Metz over at Empty Streets 1027. Thank you for including me on this one. :)

Save Our World Meme

Here's how I can help: Green your home with plants. Add some potted plants like philodendrons and peace lillies. These plants help remove pollutants such as formaldehyde from the air. You'll save energy from using humidifiers. Plus, these types of plants will give your home a peaceful look.

In Your Home – Conserve Energy

1. Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.
2. If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
3. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120.
4. Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket.
5. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.
6. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.
7. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .
8. When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.
9. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.
10. Unplug seldom used appliances.
11. Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.
12. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
13. Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.
14. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.
15. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models.
16. Only use electric appliances when you need them.
17. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
18. Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer.
19. Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away
20. Insulate your home as best as you can.
21. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.
22. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
23. Plant trees to shade your home.
24. Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means.
25. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.
26. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.
27. Connect your outdoor lights to a timer.
28. Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina - www.ncgreenpower.org). In your home-reduce toxicity.

In Your Home – Reduce Toxicity

29. Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers).
30. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.
31. Buy the right amount of paint for the job.
32. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
33. When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result.
34. If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.
35. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
36. Have your home tested for radon.
37. Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.

In Your Yard

38. Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment.
39. Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one.
40. Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.
41. Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion.
42. Use only the required amount of fertilizer.
43. Minimize pesticide use.
44. Create a wildlife habitat in your yard.
45. Water grass early in the morning.
46. Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used.
47. Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide).
48. Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.

In Your Office

49. Copy and print on both sides of paper.
50. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.
51. Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.
52. Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee.
53. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.
54. Use recycled paper.
55. Use discarded paper for scrap paper.
56. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic.
57. Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.

Ways To Protect Our Air

58. Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
59. Recycle printer cartridges.
60. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
61. Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
62. Don't use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.
63. Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution.
64. Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood.
65. Use solar power for home and water heating.
66. Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
67. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.
68. Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.
69. Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid.
70. If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.
71. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.
72. Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.


Ways to Use Less Water

73. Check and fix any water leaks.
74. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.
75. Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously.
76. Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.
77. Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines.
78. Install a low-flow shower head.
79. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.
80. Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks.

Ways to Protect Our Water

81. Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
82. Never dump anything down a storm drain.
83. Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
84. Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.
85. Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
86. Learn about your watershed.


Create Less Trash

87. Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
88. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
89. Buy products that you can reuse.
90. Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
91. Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
92. Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
93. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
94. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
95. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
96. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
97. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
98. Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material.
99. Compost your vegetable scraps.
100. Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.

So for all those that will take part with this movement please feel free to copy and paste the Meme with your own tips on how to save the environment. This is a tag that you don't have to tag back, because what is more important is that we all take part in the movement to save our world.

I won't be tagging anyone else but if you feel like participating, please do so. Just let me know so I can visit you. And please leave a comment of your environmental article link at Empty Streets so you can be added to the list of bloggers for a cause starting here:

1. Metz - Empty Streets 1027 - 100 ways to help save our environment
2. Moms... Check Nyo
3. Simple Happy Life
4. Life's Tricky Situations
5. Your next...

Choco Goodness

Go ahead and savor some chocolate, the dark kind, that is. Having an ounce a day helps regulate blood pressure and protect your heart due to its flavonols. But wait, the benefits don't stop there. Chocolate is the latest brain food! The flavonols in this yummy snack are protective substances that help improve blood flow to the brain, which could slow the mental decline that occurs as we age. However, this good news does not give you a license to indulge, remember I said "some." *wink*

Get More Zzz's

Are you having problems getting more zzz's? The next time you find yourself lying awake at night, this simple exercise may help. Research suggests that this very old form of exercise can help fight insomnia. It's called Iyengar yoga inversions, which send blood to the head, and it has been proven to be effective. But wait, if you have high blood pressure or glaucoma, experts advise to stick to the upright position. This pose, Supported Standing Wide Leg Forward Bend, is kinda easy to relax into and will help still your thoughts.

Here's how you should do it: Stand with your hands on your hips, your feet should approximately be 4 feet apart and your toes slightly turned in. Place a block or stack several books on the floor in front of you. Breathe deeply; exhale, fold forward, and place hands on floor shoulder-distance apart with fingers spread. Lengthen spine forward and place the crown of your head on block so both your head and neck are fully supported. Draw shoulders away from ears and hug elbows in. Note that if you feel a hamstring stretch, widen your legs a bit more and raise the block. Close your eyes; breathe slowly in and out through nose. Hold up to 5 minutes, then come out of pose slowly. Do this right before bedtime and make sure to wear comfortable clothes.

A friend also suggested using Crystal Singing Bowls. It's the first time I've heard of it so I did a little research. These bowls came from Tibet and as the title says, they literally sing. The sound is believed to do everything; from making the hair on your arms stand up, to making you feel the need to sit down and let the reverberations fully envelop your entire body and your senses. It has the ability to make you feel relaxed. These bowls are pricey but if you will consider the money you'll have to spend for medication, the singing bowls are cheaper. Prices depend on the size of the bowls, the larger or heavier the bowl, the higher the price.

Blame The Genes

If you can't control yourself around sweets, the researchers at the University of Toronto think they know the reason why. In their most recent study, they found that people with genetic quirk drank 44% more sugary drinks, ate 34% more sweets, and consumed 100 to 200 more calories a day from the extra sugar. These people weighed more and had bigger waists. According to them, the gene variation may make it hard for our body to sense blood sugar changes, so the brain doesn't get the signal to stop eating.

But here's the sad news, I've read that there is no remedy for this. The only solution they recommend is for us to to try counting our overall calorie intake so there'll be more room for occasional treats.

Thank You Monica!!!

Know the best and the worst

When I first decided to purchase a web hosting solution, I did not bother to ask anybody. I knew of some friends who were using the same web hosting solution so I thought that it's alright to purchase the same one. Only to realize later that I made a big mistake. I should have asked them first. I should have made a research if that company is really reliable. It turned out that they were just waiting for their contracts to finish in order for them to switch. There were more downtimes than uptimes!

I had no other choice but to wait up for a year. A few months before my contract was to end, I did my assignment. I asked around and searched the web for the best web hosting providers. It wasn't so hard because I found a site where comprehensive reviews of the top web host providers were done for people like me. Here, all the best providers are presented to you with all their plans, features, and prices complete with their web hosting awards. All you need to do is choose which of them fits your criteria and budget. No more sweet talks, no more promises and definitely lesser downtimes.

This is a free service site to guide those who are looking for the best hosting services and know which are the worst. You can also find web hosting instructions and tips on how to make money with web hosting. Check the site for more info.

Ruby Tuesday | WW (05-12-09)

B is for Banana

Bananas are not just for making your tasteless bran cereal less boring. This yummy fruit is packed with B vitamins, something our body need more as we age, especially to us, women. A new study found that women of childbearing age, particularly those who are taking contraceptives, are much more likely than men to have inadequate amounts of vitamin B6. They say, the nutrient is necessary for estrogen metabolism and the pill adds more estrogen to your body. This vitamin is also vital for red blood cell function, a healthy immune system, and normal brain activity. Low levels of this can lead to a form of anemia.

But wait, the benefits don't just stop there. Boosting your B12 intake could reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's later in life. Bananas, baked potatoes, and chicken are good sources of B6, while your B12 can come from milk, meat and eggs.

So, you see, a banana a day keeps those wrinkles away!

Happy Mom's Day!

Know the ins and outs of home business

My husband and I are both working from home. We manage a small grocery store and we have a 3-door apartment so we pretty much enjoy staying at home and taking care of the kids. But unlike the previous years, times are harder now, money is slim and prices of everything have gone up enormously. When I discovered blogging, I am so happy I had a new opportunity to earn a little extra for my family. But even probloggers are hardly hit by the recession, and the little "extra" became smaller.

I am not losing hope, in fact, I have just discovered another income opportunity, home business. However, I need to know the ins and outs of venturing into this kind of business first. So I did some research and found HBSA. It's a website that offers programs for people like me who wants or who works from home. Each course offered is complete with all the subjects that an individual or even a group could use in making their business a successful one. Their team of experts will teach you the techniques and effective methods in boosting client response. Courses offered are intermediate, advanced and a package that incorporates both their intermediate training and advanced courses. These courses are priced fairly, considering the amount of knowledge you will gain from these experts. Interested? Click on the link to know more.

Naked is Best!

Popcorn is a healthy whole grain, the kind linked to lower rates of heart disease and diabetes. And you'll love it even more with this great news: People who nosh on popcorn everyday consume 250 percent more whole grains and 22 percent more fiber than those who don't. That's according to a study conducted by researchers from The Center for Human Nutrition in Omaha, Nebraska. But hey, not because it's healthy, it gives you the license to pig out on "loaded" popcorn while in front of the tube or at the movies. Remember this, a tablespoon of butter adds 8 grams of artery-clogging fat and 100 calories. A little oil is better than that, but of course, naked is best. Can't have it plain? Add a dash of paprika or other spices.

Thank You Monica!!!

Ruby Tuesday | WW 05-05-09

The Sunshine Vitamin

Cancer, heart disease, depression, and diabetes are illnesses that account for about 60 to 70 percent of deaths in America, and probably in the whole world. New research suggests that Vitamin D may protect you against these illnesses because it is one of the most potent regulators of cellular growth, helping prevent cells from becoming malignant. They recommend being outdoors without sunscreen for about 10 to 15 minutes everyday. For pre-menopausal women, to get no less than 1000 IU of vitamin D (5 times the 200 IU currently recommended by the USDA). But it's best to talk it out with your doc first before increasing intake.

Get rid of pests, Fast!

Just the other day, as I was cleaning the house, I noticed a small damage on our storage room door and there where wood dust around the area. I had no idea what could have caused it, so when my husband came home, I asked him to check on the door. As if he knew what was happening, he immediately got a screwdriver and tapped on the wood. He discovered that the wood is hallow and there were termites feeding on the wooden door so he went to check the whole house because he said there might be more. Luckily, we detected it early and that's the only one he found damaged.

Then I suddenly remembered my son telling me that he had seen some winged ants flying around but did not pay much attention to it. My husband said that the next time we see winged ants, it could be a sign that there could be termites in the house. The next day, I called up
Fort Worth Pest Control and had the wood treated. The company was so reliable and they used the most advanced and effective techniques to treat the door. Now I can sleep soundly knowing that my house is pest free. And next time, I know what to do when I see those winged ants flying around the house.

The Glossy Lipstick

What kind of lipstick do you use? Do you like it matte or glossy? While it's true that your favorite gloss may be the ultimate summer accessory, you may be taking a greater risk. Research shows that glosses and shimmery balms can actually boost the risk of cancer by allowing ultraviolet rays to penetrate more deeply.

"When light shines on dry or rough skin, it scatters. But if your skin is nice and smooth which you normally gets when applying a shiny gloss, the rays will be absorbed."

You can still use lip protection but experts suggest using lip balms with sunblock. So the next time you're buying lipstick, ditch the glossy one and opt for an SPF 15, chemical-free instead.

Gadgets for Your Home

Burglars are not easily scared off by guard dogs and light timers. In these hard times, one should not be too complacent because our homes are not safe from them. For your personal safety, find and install home security gadgets that will allow you to keep an eye of your home even when you are away. These thieves are not easily fooled by light timers, they are smart enough to know when the light goes on so you need something better than this. Simple, affordable and easy to install gadgets are what you need to keep them from scooting around your home.

April Top Droppers

Can't believe it's May already and that means... it's time to show my appreciation to the top ten droppers for April. Thank you so much for never failing to come here everyday. Thank you also to all of you who visited, left comments and dropped.

Top ten will be featured on my side bar with their links for the whole month of April.

1.) The Credit Bum
2.) Blog Mockers
3.) Picture 2 People
4.) Autism Experiences
5.) Happy Quotes
6.) Photography by KML
7.) Communication Exchange
8.) sound of soft breath
9.) Lainy's Musings
10.) Proud Mommy