Reblogged from theredpillguide:

Natural News Thursday, February 23, 2012 By: Donna Earnest Pravel Parsley, that little piece of leafy green garnish that seems to decorate every plate in restaurants all across the U.S., is actually a serious herb which packs a powerful punch. Most people smile and ask sheepishly, “Are we supposed to eat it?” If it is certified organic parsley, then the answer is “yes.” Parsley leaf is loaded with antioxidants and is a fantastic diuretic. The herb is a wonderful kidney aid, helping to get rid of kidney …

I took this from someone else, but its so interesting. Parsley is not only great for you, but it gives your cooking a kick

Take a few minutes and answer these questions to see if you know the best food options for you. Sometimes we gain weight just because we underestimate the types of food we’re eating and how many calories are in them. I have the answers at the bottom but answer the questions first!!

Answers

A slice of apple pie = 450 calories or more
One serving of chocolate pudding = 160 calories
Two homemade Rice Krispies® treats= 140 calorie

A medium-sized buttered popcorn = 1000 calories
A salted pretzel = 370 calories
A 5-oz pack of red vines = 560 calories.

McDonald’s Quarter Pounder® with cheese = 510 calories
Taco Bell’s taco salad = 870 calories
Carl’s Jr. 6-peice chicken stars = 260 calories (and don’t forget about the high-calorie dipping sauces.)

White Russian = 4.5 oz. equals 404 calories
12-oz Budweiser = 145 calories
Glass of red wine = 170 calories

Cook time: 1 hr 30 min

6 Servings

Ingredients

Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

4 tablespoons cold butter cut into small pieces

1 large egg

2 tablespoons 2% milk

Filling:

2 small potatoes

4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

5 medium carrots cut into chunks

1 to 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion finely diced

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/3 cup 2% milk

3 stalks of sliced celery

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed

1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt

1 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup minced fresh parsley

Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Start with the crust by putting flour, baking powder and salt in a food processer until the ingredients are combined. Add butter, one piece at a time. Separate the egg and refridgerate the egg white. Add the yolk and milk to the food processor and pulsa it until the dough comes together. Put it out on a lightly floured surface and flatten it into a disk, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate it for at least an hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prick the potatoes with a fork and bake them directly on the oven rack until tender, which takes about 45 minutes. Cool them slightly, then break them into small pieces.
3. Add the chicken broth, carrots, and thyme to a simmer in a saucepan. In a separate pot, heat the olive oil and add the onions to cook until they’re soft for about 8 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until lightly toasted. Then, add milk, celery, potato pieces, and the warm broth mix. Let it simmer until it thickens for about 15 minutes.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and add the chicken, yogurt, peas, and parsley. Season it with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer the filling from the pot into the casserole dish. Get the dough and roll it out on the lightly floured surface until it is slightly larger than the dish. Get the egg white out and brush it over the dough and add salt and pepper on top.
6. Press the dough against the sides of the dish and put it in the oven. Bake it until the crust is golden brown, for about 20 minutes.

Per serving:

Calories 482; Fat 19 g (Saturated 8 g); Cholesterol 137 mg; Sodium 795 mg; Carbohydrate 47 g; Fiber 5 g; Protein 31 g

Reblogged from A Real Food Lover:

I must admit at one time in my life I was a terrible snob about my facial products. Until I learned that you absorb at least 60% of everything that you put on your skin. I quickly became the household Label Czar! Since then I have learned how to make many homemade beauty products. I have also learned that more than 75% of what I was using was completely unnecessary anyway. Silly me. I use this face wash in the shower. I have very delicate, dry skin and this is gentle enough to get every trace of makeup and …

I found this on somebody else’s blog but I love the make it yourself aspect. Just feels more natural

The good thing about experimenting with some Chinese at home is you can decide the amount of each ingredient used. Feel free to change it up and let me know what worked for your meal. A side of brown rice or noodles would probably complete the meal.

yield: Makes 4 servings

prep time: 15 min

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 pound sirloin beef tips, sliced against the grain 1/8 inch thick

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

10 ounces frozen broccoli florets, thawed

3 garlic cloves, chopped3 tablespoons soy sauce

1/3 cup water

Directions

Combine cornstarch, salt, pepper, and beef in a bowl until meat is coated.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wok over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then stir-fry beef until just cooked through, about 1 minute.

Transfer with a to another bowl and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.

Add remaining tablespoon oil to wok along with broccoli and garlic and stir-fry over moderately high heat until broccoli is just tender and garlic is pale golden, about 2 minutes.

Add soy sauce and water and bring to a boil. Return meat to skillet and cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.

Per serving: 257 calories, 15 g fat (2 g saturated), 51 mg cholesterol, 515 mg sodium, 9 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 21 g protein

This ingredient that’s found in the Mega Thin Formula offers a number of benefits when taken with a balanced diet and is helpful for all ages. This extract provides a mild aphrodisiac effect, along with an energy boost and mood enhancing abilities. Similar to those of eating chocolate, but without all the calories!!

The Cocoa Tree

Metabromine® also has a diuretic effect on the body and helps reduce bloating due to water, which makes a great pick for body builders who want to get ripped before a competition. It suppresses the appetite, while warming the body up without over stimulating the nervous system.

So if you’re looking to lose weight try our Mega Thin Formula. It is composed of 10 natural ingredients designed to help your body look better.. So you can lose weight and look better right in time for swim suit season!!

www.themagicherb.com

Nuts are filled with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, and are rich in protein and fiber and low in saturated fats. They make a really satisfying snack with all those benefits. Make sure to go with the healthier brands and stay away from the salted ones that add a lot of sodium. A moderate amount of nuts can be great for satisfying your hunger through the day and help you lose weight faster!

Healthiest

1. Almonds – They have a ton of mono and polyunsaturated fats that protect the heart. Almonds help reduce cholesterol levels. The vitamin E in them makes them great for eyes and skin.

Nutrient Breakdown (1 ounce)

Calories: 160

Total Fat: 13 grams

Saturated Fat: 1 gram

Monounsaturated Fats: 9 grams

Polyunsaturated Fats: 3 grams

Fiber: 3 grams

Protein: 6 grams

2.  Cashews – These nuts are great for battling diabetes and heart disease. Even though they have a high fat content, they are considered to be the healthy fat. Cashews also have a sufficient levels of magnesium and copper in them to maintain proper functioning.

Nutrient Breakdown (1 ounce)

Calories: 160

Total Fat: 12 grams

Saturated Fat: 2 grams

Monounsaturated Fats: 8 grams

Polyunsaturated Fats: 2 grams

Fiber: 1 gram

Protein: 4 grams

3.  Peanuts – These nuts are packed with fibers, as well as several vitamins and minerals that fight cardiovascular diseases and even certain cancers.

Nutrient Breakdown (1 ounce)

Calories: 166

Total Fat: 13 grams

Saturated Fat: 2 grams

Monounsaturated Fats: 7grams

Polyunsaturated Fats: 4 grams

Fiber: 11 grams

Protein: 7 grams

4. Walnuts – These too are filled with heart healthy fats. Walnuts have been linked to decreased damage from free radicals in certain cells, which is due to the antioxidants found in them.

Nutrient Breakdown (1 ounce)

Calories: 190

Total Fat: 17 grams

Saturated Fat: 2 grams

Monounsaturated Fats: 2 grams

Polyunsaturated Fats: 13 grams

Fiber: 2 grams

Protein: 4 grams

Unhealthiest

1.   Coconuts – They are very high in calories and saturated fats and low in the healthy fats. Even though coconuts are high in fiber, they should be consumed in moderation if you want to lose weight.

Nutrient breakdown (1 cup shredded)

Calories: 283

Total Fat: 26 grams

Saturated Fat: 24 grams

Monounsaturated Fats: 1 gram

Polyunsaturated Fats: 1 gram

Fiber: 7 grams

Protein: 3 grams

2.  Macadamia Nuts – They are high in fat, but don’t have as much protein or fiber to give you that full feeling, making them not the best choice for weight loss.

Nutrient Breakdown (1 ounce)

Calories: 200

Total Fat: 22 grams

Saturated Fat: 4 grams

Monounsaturated Fats: 17 grams

Polyunsaturated Fats: 1 gram

Fiber: 2 grams

Protein: 2 grams

3.   Pecan Nuts – Again these nuts have lower amounts of fiber and protein. Altough they also contain good fats, they are not ideal for weight loss.

Nutrient Breakdown (1 ounce)

Calories: 200

Total Fat: 20 grams

Saturated Fat: 2 grams

Monounsaturated Fats: 6 grams

Polyunsaturated Fats: 12 gram

Fiber: 3 grams

Protein:  3 grams

I get that it’s hard to go to the gym sometimes or even start a crazy diet with all our time consuming demands. Who has time for all that?!

Don’t lose hope just yet..

You can shed those pounds with a little bit of sensible eating and some gradual exercise.

If you want to start burning fat, add some of these fat burning foods to your diet.

1. Ginger – It helps dilate blood vessels to improve blood circulation. Better circulation decreases  the amount of fat accumulation.

1. Fruits and veggies that are high in fiber – Eating fruits like, berry, apples, of citrus fruit help your body drop the fat while digesting. Try going for the raw fruits and veggies instead of canned ones.

1. Almonds – They are rich in protein and require a lot of chewing, making them a perfect snack. Taking time to chew it will trick your tummy to think its full

1. Green leafy vegetables – Spinach or any other leafy green veggie has fiber, vitamins, and calcium to help you lose weight fast. Having high levels of calcium helps the body absorb less fat.

1. Seafood – The omega-3 fatty acids and proteins in it to help burn fat away.

1. Vinegar – It pumps protein that break down fat so including it in your salad a couple times a day can shed belly fat.

1. Green tea – Helps increase your metabolism to lose fat effectively.

1. Water – It is so vital to losing weight. Drinking your 8 cups each day quickly helps you shed the weight and it does wonders for your health.

The best thing about all these is that they are not hard to come across.

Try Magic Herb’s Mega Thin Formula to suppress your appetite and help you eat healthier without the cravings!!

Benefits

1. helps increase lean body mass
2. Stabalizes blood sugar levels
3. Lowers bad cholesterol
4. Helps decrease body fat
5. Can improve mood
6. Controls appetite

In the right amount, Chromium Polynicotinate can help you lose weight. This is just one out of 10 natural ingredients found in the Mega Thin Formula.

 Ingredients

3 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread
1/4 cup reduced fat milk
1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
3 scallions or green onions, finely chopped
2 small garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
salt and pepper

Directions

1 Preheat over to 375 degrees.Place bread in food processor until fine crumbs form. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with milk; set aside at least 5 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, combine turkey, scallions or green onions, garlic, parsley, egg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and breadcrumb mixture; mix gently with a fork.

3. With hands, form mixture into balls, each equal to 2 level tablespoons; arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Bake for 35 minutes until browned.