Amazing Health Benefits of an Aloe Vera Gel

A vast majority of people are well aware of the Aloe Vera plant and its endless power of curing various human ailments. It can heal a number of health hazards, including weight loss, inflammation, sunburn, constipation and other skin irritations.

However, many of them are not acquainted with the health benefits of the Aloe Vera gel drink. A regular consumption of it helps you get rid of a number of diseases. Recent studies have established that Aloe Vera gel improves the immune system, reduces stress, and encourages normal blood sugar. It can save one from redness and swelling. It is completely natural and has no side effect on human body.

It is worthy to mention here that the juice of this plant tastes bitter. Therefore, one should be prepared for that especially when one is going to extract it directly from Aloe Vera leaves. A product made from it can give him or her a little relief from its real taste.

This article will discuss on the amazing health benefits of an Aloe Vera drink.

Given below are these:

1. Detoxifies the body

As the Aloe Vera gel drink contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other detoxifying elements, it can cleanse human body. It washes out all toxic elements from one's body, leaving no side effects on his or her body. Your body does not contain any waste materials when you start taking it regularly.

2. Strengthens digestion

It improves our digestive capability and strengthens our immunity power A regular usage can keep one far away from the diseases of the liver, pancreas and intestines. It has magical effects in reducing inflammatory pain in bowel syndrome, colitis and other gastric disorders. Moreover, it kills harmful bacteria and nurtures healthy bacteria in the intestines to enhance one's digestion power.

3. Boost immunity power.

As it releases wastes from your body, your immune system becomes highly powerful. The anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties of the Aloe Vera gel drink kill harmful germs that cause contagious diseases in human body.

4. Promote hair growth

It promotes hair growth. Being well packed with vitamins, minerals and enzymes, it plays a significant role to promote healthy hair. If you suffer from hair loss problem, you can take it regularly.

5. Improve blood circulation

It is very good for the heart. Taking it internally is highly beneficial for better blood circulation in the body. It is really good for fat burning. An obsessed person can lose his or her extra weight naturally. Moreover, it decreases the fat deposit rate in your body. A regular consumption saves you from cardiac arrest and blood clots in the heart and arteries.

After the introduction of the above-mentioned benefits through many recent studies, the demand for the Aloe Vera gel drink has increased significantly. Therefore, to ensure availability for everyone, many Aloe Vera drink suppliers have come forward with a wide range of product options. You just need to buy it from a reputable company having years of experience in manufacturing it. This will help you overcome the troubles of collecting leaves and extracting juice on a regular basis.

Advice For Heart Healthy Cooking

For those with some form of heart condition, eating healthily is important, hence recipes for heart healthy cooking will be good for them. Always use ingredients that are good for your heart and the recipes will be fine whether you are an adult or a kid. Irrespective of what ingredients you choose, you must stick to them.

For heart healthy meals, there are certain advices that are relevant and we will take a closer look at some of them.

oAbiding by a heart healthy food does not imply that you have to stick to a strict diet as you can partake in different variety of meals. One rule of thumb is to avoid salty and sugary foods but not to the extent of completely steering clear of them. The key here is that you must enjoy them if not it will ruin the purpose of a heart healthy cooking.

oOther relevant advice for heart healthy cooking is to opt for lower fat dairy products, lean meats as well as foods that are cooked with small amount of fat or none at all. Fresh food cook when they are bought instead of processed food is better because they comprise less sodium and are better for the heart on top of being less fattening.

oOne of the most important advices is the use of cooking oil. In cooking heart healthy meals, do not sprinkle too much oil and only choose those that are healthy but one that taste right for you too. Cooking oil is essential in cooking and you never realize it until you stop to think about it so use them sparingly.

oThe different between saturated and unsaturated fat is that saturated fat is bad for you health. So try to avoid them but not completely as fat is essential to your well-being too and in your heart healthy food, try to use soft tub margarine or oils that contain less saturated fat instead of block margarine.

All those above are great advices so remember to stick to heart healthy cooking to ensure that you have optimal health to benefit your heart. It is particularly for those who are older and have some form of heart condition so watching what you consume will be great for your heart. With a proper heart healthy food, you will be able to control your heart condition and live a fruitful and longer life.

4 Heart Healthy Tips

You know how vital a healthy heart is to your body, a study recently published finds that subjects who followed four heart healthy tips cut their chances of heart failure by an impressive 81% in women and 68% in men. What's more, the more healthy habits you follow, the lower the chance of heart failure becomes. Best of all, even making one heart healthy lifestyle choice was enough to bring down the level of risk by 47% in women, 31% in men.

So, what are these four healthy habits?

The four behaviors are:

1. Don't smoke

2. Lose weight (if overweight).

3. Get regular exercise.

4. Eat vegetables.

Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart muscle grows weaker until it is no longer able to pump enough blood to meet body needs. With organs not getting the blood they need, fluid builds in places it shouldn't, the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and even the arms and legs.

The symptoms often appear slowly, at first only when you're very active, though over time you might feel breathing problems and some other symptoms even when you're resting. At age 40 your chance of heart problems at some point during your lifetime is almost one in five.

For the current lifestyle and heart failure study, 38,075 subjects in Finland were examined to compare the chances of heart failure between men and women. After a follow up of 14 years, 638 of the men and 445 of the women had been diagnosed with heart failure.

Even after accounting for risk factors we know impact heart failure (high blood pressure, heart attack history, diabetes), healthy lifestyle choices brought a lower likelihood of disease.

- Those who smoke had an 86% increased chance of heart failure, however women smokers especially saw a 109% increase in risk.

- Men who were considered obese had a 75% higher risk; obese women had a 106% higher risk.

- Men who did regular, moderately intense exercise had a 21% reduced risk; women who exercised at the same level were found to have a 13% reduced risk. More intense types of exercise increased the benefit, by 33% in the males, 39% in the female subjects.

- Everyone who ate veggies 3-6 times a week showed a 26% for men, 27% for women reduced risk of heart failure when compared to those subjects who only ate vegetables on less than one occasion per week.

Researchers suggest that any lifestyle changes you make to stay healthy are beneficial. Theoretically, almost half of heart failure cases that happen in the general population could be prevented if people followed at least three of the four healthy behaviors.

This research brings home the point that lifestyle choices are important ... critically important. And that's the good news to take from this research - these changes are within our control AND we don't have to do them all, all at once, to get the benefit. Though not easy, by making healthier lifestyle choices we can impact the state and strength of body systems.

Watch for doctors and other healthcare professionals to begin emphasizing the benefits of these heart healthy tips now more than ever before.

How To Keep Your Indoor Cat Healthy

The decision to raise a cat indoors is a good one. It protects your pet from potentially dangerous health issues thereby helping it live longer. However, at the same time, the indoor environment should be modified to suit a cat's natural instincts. Cats are curious creatures that love to climb, hunt and play. If not provided enough stimulation, they get bored, put on weight and start targeting furniture and other valuables around the house.

Keeping a kitty happy and healthy indoors includes looking after its fur, eyes, ears, nose, teeth and dietary needs. It also involves providing adequate exercise opportunities around the house. Here are 6 tips to care for your pet. Your cat will thank you.

Body Weight:
Maintaining optimum body weight is as important in cats as it is in humans. Your kitty should not be too skinny or too fat. You should control its food intake. Avoid refilling the bowl often. If the cat is underweight, see a veterinarian. You can also buy weight control foods for cats at a local grocery store. Install an artificial tree for your pet to climb. It is a form of exercise.

Fur:
A fur coat that has not been brushed for long tends to develop severe hairballs. Brushing helps get rid of dirt and debris stuck in the hair coat. A brushing routine also allows an opportunity to examine the skin for sores and rashes. Cats hate to have a bath. You should bathe your kitty only if it is very dirty. If you have a breed with long and flowing hair, trim its fur coat regularly. Fleas take a toll on your pet's health. If your cat scratches and bites itself, there is a possibility of flea infestation. You should visit your pet. He will prescribe oral medication or a medicated soap.

Dental health:
Good oral health is a must in cats. The teeth should be white while the gums should be pink. Tartar and plaque buildup makes the teeth yellow and brown. You should brush your kitty's teeth regularly. Dental treats and chew toys also reduce tartar buildup. If you notice bad breath, speak to your doctor. Bad breath is an indication of oral infection.

Eyes and Nose:
Your kitty's eyes should be clean and bright, not hazy. Discharge at the corners of the eyes should be wiped. Speak to your vet if there is an excess amount of discharge. Moving to the ears, wax, black gunk or foul smell are signs of ear infection.

Claws:
Cats scratch very badly. They damage furniture, carpets and other valuables around the house. However, scratching is a natural instinct and is their way of exercising. Trim the claws regularly. Purchase a scratching post for your cat. A scratching post or cat tree will promote healthy scratching.

Food:
As owners we are tempted to share our food with our pets. There is nothing wrong in sharing table scraps, but it might not prove the best decision. Cats have a very sensitive stomach. Hence, food choices should be made carefully. Buy good quality food designed for an indoor pet. You should avoid food items and treats with corn, ash and coloring agents. In addition to food, cats need an adequate supply of fresh, clean water.

Certain human foods are poisonous for felines. This includes onions, tomatoes, potatoes, coffee grounds, chocolate and alcoholic beverages. These foods should be kept out of the reach of cats. Felines should not be given milk as it is heavy to digest and could cause stones in the urinary tract.

In addition to all this, clean the litter box daily for cats are picky creatures. Set aside time to play with your pet and offer toys

Delicious Soup Recipes to Keep You Warm on a Cold Night

Whether you're eating it as an appetizer or a meal on its own, soup is one of the best comfort foods out there. A warm bowl of soup is best enjoyed when the weather is cold, so try these delicious soup recipes to help you keep warm on a cold day or night!

The Ultimate Cheese Soup

What you need:

1 onion, grated

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 1/2 cups shredded pepperjack cheese

2 cups milk

1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Ground black pepper to taste

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter then cook all-purpose flour until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in onion and garlic and cook for another 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Slowly add milk and chicken broth then bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Lower heat and continue to simmer until mixture is smooth and thick, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese. Season with Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and black pepper then stir. Top with cilantro leaves.

Squash Curry Soup

What you need:

1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and sliced into 1-inch pieces

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

1/4 cup sour cream, or more to taste

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat then cook garlic and onion until tender. Stir in squash, chicken broth, curry powder, salt, cumin and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil then lower heat and allow to simmer until squash is tender, about 15 minutes. When ready, remove from heat then add half-and-half and honey to the mixture. Puree soup in batches in a blender or food processor until smooth. Transfer to serving bowls then top with sour cream.

Creamy Sausage and Kale Soup

What you need:

12 links spicy pork sausage, sliced

2 potatoes, sliced

4 cups water

2 cups sliced kale

3/4 cup diced onion

1/3 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons chicken soup base

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 1/4 teaspoons minced garlic

Place sausages in a baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven (150 degrees Celsius) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. Slice into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook onions until tender. Add onions and cook for 1 minute more. Add potatoes, water and chicken soup base and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes. Lower heat then stir in sausage, kale and cream. Simmer until heated through, stirring frequently.

Warm up on a cold night with these healthy and fulfilling warm soup recipes!

Adrian T. Cheng is a food blogger who promotes healthy eating. He has written numerous posts and articles about natural herbs and spices, shared countless of delicious and healthy recipes and reviewed kitchen accessories that are affordable yet of quality. You can view Adrian's posts about going green and other kitchen tools he recommends on his page.

Health Benefits of Delicious Pickles

Almost 4000 years ago, Pickles were prepared using cucumbers. Pickling process is used to preserve foods. Those foods which run out of season are preserved by pickling. The pickling process imparts delicious flavours to the this product. Vitamin B content of the pickled food is improved. Vitamin B is produced by bacteria during the pickling process.

Hence, it is a common sight in this country to find a jar filled with this product. Not only in India but in the US and other countries too this product are consumed in large quantities every year.

This product are prepared from raw mango, cucumber, carrot, chillies, etc. One of the most popular this product, of course, is the mango pickle. It is loved by almost everyone and can be prepared during the season of raw mangoes. Mango pickle is consumed with a wide variety of dishes including parathas, stuffed bread, rice preparations, etc

. It is usually served with hot rice or roti. It is made with indigenous tomatoes. The tangy flavour blends with most of the food dishes.

The crucial ingredients in the pickle making are salt and oil, apart from the organic fruits and vegetables. Salt inhibits bacterial growth in the pickle by absorbing moisture. Salts acts as a preservative in the pickle. Oil keeps the ingredients moist and prevents them from drying off.

Health Benefits of Pickles:

Benefits of this product for health and body are incredible. Raw, lacto-fermented vegetables (this product) have probiotic bacteria that are the good bacteria. These bacteria inhibit the growth of harmful microbes in the intestines. This product have a higher concentration of Vitamin B and C. This product supply good amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The nutritive value of this product is high and it contributes to modest diabetes control, improved digestion, protection of liver, a good supply of probiotics. The nutrients obtained from the this product have the ability to heal ulcers. Absorption of iron from food increases with the use of this product.

The Process of Pickling:

In the heat of the summer, interesting pickle recipes can be made. The brine is prepared in which the vegetables or fruits are submerged. The brine consists of various ingredients like salt, spices, etc. In chemical pickling, vinegar is added, however, it should be noted that this kind of pickle does not contain any probiotic bacteria.

In the traditional method, raw fruits and vegetables are washed and cut into pieces. Then, various spices are added and the jar is kept under the sun. The pickle should be stored in a clean and air tight container.

In the modern era, both men and women work to support the livelihood and women are always hustled to take care of home and office work. Hence, no one has much time to prepare these time-consuming pickle recipes. Buy exquisite and tempting this product from the best pickle manufacturers

How Assam Black Tea Can Help in Weight Loss

Known for its strong dark reddish-brown color, Assam black tea is one of the favorite drinks among tea lovers. Weight loss is one of the numerous health benefits associated with this tea. It's unique flavonoids help one in dropping extra pounds and this has added to its popularity worldwide.

New flavonoids supporting weight loss

Flavonoids or polyphenols are responsible for health benefits associated with tea and almost all types are made with the same plant leaves. These leaves have a group of flavonoids known as catechins. When the leaves are processed further to form black tea, the catechins convert into new flavonoids called theaflavins and thearubigins. The main benefits of Assam black tea come from these new flavonoids.

Boost in metabolism to lose weight

People drinking a regular cup of Assam black tea get about 80 milligrams of caffeine and according to studies, only 50 milligrams are enough to increase the amount of energy used by the body. It boosts lipolysis (a process of breakdown of stored fats), thereby enhancing metabolism. In the process, it helps one to lose weight. Researchers have found that caffeine helps to keep weight for a longer period of time.

According to MedlinePlus, an online information service by the US National Library of Medicine, it is safe for most people to have nearly 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. This comes to 5 cups of black tea. However, people who have high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm should consume less caffeine than recommended by the general guidelines.

Consumption of fewer calories

Apart from the benefits of caffeine and polyphenols, Assam black tea helps one lose weight if used as a replacement for beverages high on calories. One cup has only 2 calories which is far less than a sweetened beverage. If more calories are there than used by the body for energy, the extra calories are stored as body fat.

Antioxidants contributing in weight management

The antioxidants present in this tea helps in better weight management. They boost metabolism and help the body to burn fat more effectively. Thus, the risk of obesity in people consuming it on a regular basis is less than those not having it.

Blocks fat absorption into the cells

Assam black tea also blocks fat absorption into the cells, thereby aiding in weight loss. This tea is a great alternative to medicines and expensive devices and is a natural way to stay fit and healthy.

There are many online stores from where one can order this tea at a reasonable price.

Healthy Food Recipes That Taste Great

Some of the most important decisions that we make are in regards to the food that we eat. There are so many things that can cause ill health these days that it is getting frustrating for many to find recipes for healthy food. There are a lot of options that are available if a person looks around.

The internet is a great resource for finding almost anything that you could want in healthy food. There are the good old favourites that have been made for years and years, to the new things that have just been created by people from around the world. No matter what it may be there is bound to be something out there that will appeal to everyone.

The classic shepherd's pie is one I found that is delicious. It is quite similar to the original version except it uses extra lean beef. This reduces the amount of fat intake that people will take in without taking a way from the taste of the meal. I have played around with it a lot and have found that mixing the beef with onion soup mix gives it an amazing bit of a kick. Try this one on your family, they will be sure to love it as well.

Another way that you can modify a recipe and keep the fat content to a minimum is to incorporate non fat yogurt into it as opposed to sour cream. Many people do not realize just how fatty sour cream really is. It would scare you to know. The yogurt does not give any odd taste to the food in any way but keeps the fat levels down which is something of huge importance during the times that we are having with high cholesterol and heart disease.

These are just a couple of ideas that I have used myself and have found to work wonderfully. There are many others that are out there if you take some time to browse the internet. It is loaded with recipes for healthy food, as well as with other things that you can do to modify the everyday foods that you eat but make them more healthy for you and your family.

Some of them even let you put in the ingredients that you have handy and will spit out a selection of recipes that you can make using things that you already have in your kitchen. This is a great way to find some new recipes that could prove to be some of the family's favourites. Being a bit creative in the kitchen can prove to be a lot of fun. Healthy food no longer has to be dull and boring anymore. Look around and you will soon see what I mean!

Healthy Food Recipe For a Quick Meal

With the heat of the summer and the fact that we have longer days, many times we would like to eat something light as well as later in the evening. Ideally speaking, a quick easy dinner as well as an easy healthy dinner. Here is a healthy food recipe for a quick meal.

Based upon one of my favorite marinades, this healthy food recipe is a quick easy dinner that can be made for 1 or more people (if you are entertaining). What I did earlier this week was prepare halibut over brown and wild rice mixed with dates and served green beans on the side. This easy healthy dinner took no time at all to make.

The ingredients to use for this quick meal are:

1 portion of halibut
Brown rice
Wild Rice
Dates
Green Beans

To start this quick easy dinner, marinate the halibut in a bowl of equal parts olive oil, balsamic vinegar (2 tablespoons each) and a clove or two of garlic. Coat the halibut and place the fish in the refrigerator for about two hours.

In the meantime, follow the cooking instructions on the back of the packages for the wild rice and the brown rice and cook both types of rice separately. When I made this healthy food recipe, I used 1/4 cup of wild rice and 1 cup of brown rice.

Once both sets of rice are cooked, mix them together and add chopped dates. Be sure you check the dates for nuts. Allow the heat of both sets of rice to warm up the chopped dates. Set the rice aside.

Once the halibut is marinated, cook the fish in the oven until tender and flaky but not raw in the middle. To make this a really quick dinner, purchase freshly frozen green beans and heat them up over the stove while you are cooking the halibut.

If the rice has cooled, you may want to pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to reheat it. Set the rice on your dinner plate, then place the cooked halibut on top and then the cooked green beans to the side, and there you have a quick easy dinner using a healthy food recipe.

I like to save even more time cooking dinner in the summer and often will prepare my combination rice serving ahead of time and refrigerate it. I make a couple of servings and then take it out for this dish or another quick meal that I may cook during the week.

I hope you find this healthy food recipe for a quick easy dinner enjoyable. What is so great about this easy healthy dinner is that it takes no time to make and is easy to clean up. Until next time, remember the Budget Bash mantra: make it simple, delicious, stylish, fun & economical to all!

Healthy Food Recipes For Diabetics

It is commonly misconceived that when you are suffering from diabetes you should be wholly dependent on a strict diet including fruits and vegetables which is not necessary. However, the diabetics are bound to be careful on what they should eat and what they shouldn't. In spite of this restriction we have a good many alternative healthy food recipes for diabetics.

Chicken Breasts - Dinner

Marinade Skinless chicken breasts in Italian dressing can be preserved in your fridge fresh for about eight to ten hours. As soon as you step in for cooking you should apply your favorite herb mix, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese. Place them in the oven for about 30 to 35 minutes above 300 degrees. Make it sure that your chicken is cooked well to ensure a healthy diabetic food recipe before putting off the oven. If it is OK, you can serve it with fresh side dish, probably your favorite salad or even steamed vegetables.

Spanish Egg Roll - Lunch

Among many of the healthy food recipes that are preferred by diabetics, Spanish egg roll is another one. It is very simple that can be prepared at home in varied tastes. You have to scramble some eggs in the way you usually do, and add in some onion and diced peppers to your taste. After this, just adding some grated cheese at the top of the scramble, and spooning can give you a tortilla wrap. It can be rolled up to have a delicious, tasty, and funky recipe. It is also a healthy lunch that can be enjoyed by the family as a whole.

Raw food recipes - Breakfast

Another one of the healthy food recipes for diabetics you can make for breakfast at home is raw fruit cereal. Simply by using natural grains, and small cut pieces of your favorite fruits with nuts added to milk or mere water, you will get dramatically a delicious recipe. It's so simple and economic to cater your need. You can have such raw recipes preferably to substitute your regular food when you are in any journey near around. In case you can not have specific fruit to your taste, you need not get back as you can add any fruits that are available at your reach.

If you browse online you will find many of such food recipes for diabetics. Just being diagnosed with diabetes does not imply that you stay locked to specific diabetic foods but you have lots of healthy food recipes serving to control blood sugar.

Controlling blood sugar is really an art. If you want to be an expert and hundred percent safe, you should know the description of Diabetic Foods to Eat AND Diabetes Foods to Avoid.