Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Spirulina and Super Green Receipes

For Organic Spirulina check out xSpirulina.com



Smoothies are no longer crunchy granola hippie food. They are in sidewalk cafes and are being sold at the grocery store in 6 packs. But smoothies are easy to make at home and can be even more nutritious when you make them yourself. One of the best reasons to start drinking smoothies is if you are prone to skipping breakfast.



Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet millions of people walk out the door with a thermos of coffee and a full to-do list. Your body needs fuel to work properly. Your brain needs energy to think properly. Smoothies are a great way to get super nutrition in a tasty treat. They are quick to make and easy to share. What more could you want form a great breakfast?



I keep a list of smoothie ingredients on hand so I can make the best tasting, most nutrient rich shake I can. I keep these ingredients on hand all the time so I can substitute different fruits or juices to change the flavor depending on my mood.



Here is my list: juice (I mix it up), plain whole yogurt, flax seeds, a super green powder, coconut milk powder, protein powder (vanilla), flax seed oil, and wheat germ.



You can start out with juice, yogurt, green food and the Coconut milk powder and work in the flax seeds, protein powder and other ingredients. I recommend a powdered super green mix because it mixes easily and digests very quickly. (In fact I often mix it with a cup of juice and take a green shot for a mid afternoon pick me up!) Plus it is less expensive than other vitamin regimes because you get all the nutrients you need in one shot. I particularly like adding vanilla protein powder and Coconut milk powder because they add more protein and omega 3 fatty acids, plus the coconut milk powder tastes really creamy and good! Ok, now that you have your basic ingredients lets get down to it!



Smoothies are good for you for many reasons, but two in particular. One: smoothies combine readily available nutrients in a liquid form. This means you get the nutrients you want in a highly digestible form, right away. Second: they are great healthy food on the go. Let's face it, we need better food for a fast pace society. Before you go drop another 5 dollar bill on a starbucks -try creating your own smoothies and feel the super green food difference!



Smoothie recipes without using a blender



Creamy orange



1 cup orange juice (to taste)

1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

1 tb super green energy powder

1 tb coconut milk powder

2-3 cubes of ice (helps mix ingredients and keeps it cold)

Put ingredients into jar with tight lid and shake vigorously or whisk together



Grape dream



2 cups grape juice (to taste)

1 cup vanilla protein powder

1 tsp super green energy powder

1 tsp coconut milk powder

2-3 cubes of ice (helps mix ingredients and keeps it cold)

Put ingredients into jar with tight lid and shake vigorously or whisk together

This one is sweet and creamy



Cranberry Lemon zest



1 cup cranberry juice (to taste)

1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

1 tsp super green energy powder

1 tsp lemon juice

2-3 cubes of ice (helps mix ingredients and keeps it cold)

Put ingredients into jar with tight lid and shake vigorously or whisk together

This one is a real zinger and great when it's hot!



Smoothie recipes using your blender



These are easy to make before work and you can
make plenty to share with your family too!



Apple banana fun



1 cup apple juice

1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

1 tsp super green energy powder

1 tsp wheat germ

1 large cored apple (with or without peel)

1 ripe banana

2-3 cubes of ice

Put ingredients into blender and serve cold

This one turns out very chunky and good! The wheat germ gives I a slight texture and wonderful nutty taste.



Coconut banana cream



1 half cup fresh filtered water

half cup coconut milk powder

1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

1 tsp super green energy powder

2 tsp flax seeds

1 ripe banana

half a cup of half and half (optional, but good)

2-3 cubes of ice

Put ingredients into blender and serve cold



Ok, are you ready for a yummy, creamy, coconutty and that's really good for you? Try this recipe!



For this one I use fruit I keep the freezer, try it - its easy. Next time bananas, blueberries or strawberries (or any other fruit) starts to go bad, just peel chop and freeze it in a bag. I then use these chunks for smoothies all year long! It replaces the ice and gives your smoothies great flavor and texture.



Frozen Slushie delight



1 cup 2% milk

1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

1 tsp super green energy powder

2 tsp flax seeds

1 cup frozen fruits

1 ripe banana

2 tsp coconut milk powder

1 tsp flax seed oil

1 splash of vanilla extract

Put ingredients into blender and serve cold



Healthy bloody mary



2 cups tomato/ vegetable juice

1 tsp super green energy powder

1 quarter cup celery leaves

2 -3 fresh basil leaves

2-3 cubes of ice

Put ingredients into blender and serve cold, serve with fresh celery sticks



Now that you have all these delicious options for adding a super green drink to your morning - what are you waiting for?




Darren Craddock is an expert in Naturopathy, Diet, Nutrition, Herbology, Massage, and Yoga. Get your Free Report: Discover how to keep from getting sick and have more energy!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Best Online Shopping Tips

There are many bargain shopping tools and resources available online to help you find great deals, compare prices, search many stores at once, get coupon codes and snag sale items first. Here are some of the best to get the most out of your discount shopping experience:



Price Comparison Search Engines



There are dozens of price comparison search engines on the net currently. Some of them charge the merchants to be listed and to be ranked higher than their competitors. This type of price comparison search engine may not be forthcoming with this information so they may not be as reliable, reputable or provide you as many choices as the sites that don't charge for listings and allow any merchant to submit their products. Some of the major engines that charge for listing and ranking are Shopping.com, ShopZilla.com, PriceGrabber.com and NextTag.com.



The price comparison search engines that do not charge for listings and allow any merchant to submit their products are Froogle.com, ShopWiki.com and TheFind.com. You may find a bigger selection of stores with your item available and therefore a better chance of finding the absolute best price available anywhere.



Deals



There are many websites that cater to bargain hunters and deal shoppers. Most of these include a blog or post style main page that posts the latest hot deals for view, but most of them also offer a community of forums where users can view even more deals, post deals they have found and converse about how to get the best deal via pricematching, coupon codes and rebates. You'll find a haven of bargain hunters at these sites. The best sites include Slickdeals.net, Fatwallet.com, Cheapstingybargains.com, BensBargains.net, Dealsea.com and Dealcatcher.com. Probably the best site would be Slickdeals.net, since they don't allow affiliate links and therefore you are apt to get the most honest deals posted, whereas sites like Dealcatcher.com post mostly affiliate links where they make money from everything you purchase. When affiliate links are allowed, a site is likely to promote the best paying links first, not necessarily the best deals. Watch out for these affiliate and referral links.



If you're looking for tech stuff, games or books, there are specialty price comparison search engines just for these products. They include TechBargains.com for tech deals, PriceWatch.com for tech/computer deals, Cheapassgamer.com for game deals and Addall.com for book deals. These sites will search specific merchants that specialize in these product areas as well as the larger merchants.



Coupons



There are dozens of sites devoted exclusively to posting the latest coupon codes. Coupon codes are available for a wide variety of discounts including free shipping, a free percentage off pricing, buy one get one free, free gift with order or a set dollar discount such as $5 off a $10 purchase. Whenever you buy online, don't hit that SUBMIT ORDER button until you have searched for a coupon code for that merchant. Most large merchants have active coupon codes at any given time. Some of the big coupon code sites are Currentcodes.com, Couponmountain.com, Couponcabin.com, Flamingoworld.com and Couponcraze.com. Again, watch out for affiliate and referral links on these sites too, they often promote higher paying store links first. Slickdeals.net also offers a huge coupon code forum, be sure to check that out for non affiliate codes.



Auctions



Don't forget to check out eBay and Yahoo's auctions for deals on certain products as well. Auctions allow you to search millions of listings and millions of sellers at one time. They may not allow coupon codes or rebates, but auctions are the only buying avenue that allow you to have so much control over how much you pay for an item.



More Tools



There are also some handy tools to use when searching for deals, don't miss Thebestbargainsonline.com's great misspelling tool for searching eBay auctions.




Lydia Quinn writes for The Best Bargains Online, a website that features articles, resources and listings for finding the best bargains online. Visit us at: http://www.thebestbargainsonline.com/



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Quinn
http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Online-Bargain-Shopping-Tools-and-Resources&id=396310

Thursday, January 17, 2008

List Of High Protein Vegetarian Foods

This article is for vegetarians and their families who want a list of high protein foods from vegetarian sources. Healthy vegetarians must take care to meet protein requirements adequately. Vegans need to be even more sensitive to their body’s needs. I have raw vegan friends who cured themselves of serious conditions, and years later are still thriving on vegan foods. Many people feel vegetarianism supports their emotional/spiritual wellbeing. If you’re going to do it, do it well!



The list of high protein foods from vegetarian sources



1) Spirulina



A rare vegetarian ‘complete protein’ because it contains all the essential amino acids. Spirulina is 85-95% digestible and easy for the body to digest and assimilate. Enjoy spirulina in a smoothie or dressing. It is possible to find organic spirulina if you know where to look.



2) Bee pollen



Approximately 40% protein and packed with essential minerals and vitamins. It is one of nature's most completely nourishing super foods. Bee pollen is contains more protein than any animal source; more amino acids than beef, eggs, or cheese of equal weight.



3) Soy products



½ cup of cooked soybeans contain 10 grams of protein and ¼ cup of tofu contains 10 grams of protein. While soy products have been a small part of some Asian diets for hundreds of years, they are new to the west. In China and Japan soy products were always made fresh, and often a special treat, unlike highly processed varieties. The verdict is not out on soy. Enjoy in moderation. Choose best quality organic tofu and unsweetened natural soy milks. Fermented soy products like tempeh are easier to digest.



4) Beans and legumes



2/3 cup of cooked chickpeas equals about 10 grams of protein each. Beans contain incomplete protein. This means you need to combine them with other protein containing vegetable foods. Eating beans and grains together is a classic combination and provides complete protein.



5) Eggs
Eggs are ‘eggcellent’ protein and a source of quality monounsaturated fat. Go organic and free range because an egg is only as good as the chicken that laid it.



6) Dairy



A good form of protein but…

In an ideal world we would get our milk raw and straight from the cow. Raw organic milk and fermented milk products are much better for you than pasteurized and homogenized.



Why? Homogenization breaks milk down into smaller particles. These particles can be absorbed intact, sometimes causing lactose intolerance. Pasteurization was implemented to sanitize milk, but it kills the goodies too. The enzymes in raw milk aid digestion, plus special lactic acid producing bacteria protect against pathogens in the milk.



If you can only get treated organic milk, no worries – here are suggestions to make to make pasteurized homogenized milk protein more digestible:



• Eat yoghurt (it has been re-enlivened with living yoghurt cultures which help digestion)



• Warm the milk with digestive spices like cardamom, cinnamon and ginger.



• Cottage cheese is more digestible when you add a little yoghurt.



• Try goat and sheep products



There are networks in the US providing legal raw milk. Ask around.



7) Protein powder



Whey protein powders are a processed protein option. However a protein powder smoothie is fine as an occasional snack or breakfast. Quality is the key for total health.
Look for:

• ‘Ultra-filtered’. If you have lactose intolerance choose the even finer ‘micro-filtered’ as this process removes lactose.

• No artificial flavours and sweeteners

• About 70-80% protein



How to stay healthy eating only vegetarian protein



• Be tuned in to your bodies needs. Eat more spirulina, bee pollen and legumes if you feel you need more protein.



• Are you free from food cravings? For example sugar cravings can be a sign of protein deficiency.



• Take blood tests for serum albumin, iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency a couple of times a year.



• Be aware of these other symptoms of protein deficiency: brittle unhealthy hair, overly ‘moon-shaped’ face, thinking a lot about eating, weight and hunger, shrinkage of muscle tissue, oedema, and slow growth (in children).



• Check if your dietary choices spring from self-kindness or from a sense that you ‘should’ eat that way. Being a healthy vegetarian over years needs to feel intrinsically right for you on all levels. Then go for it!




Copyright Wild Health and Anna Wilde



Anna Wilde works with people who want to improve their health naturally.



Sign up for free recipes and straight forward advice to stay motivated, eat well and be healthy.



Get more protein facts:What is protein? How much do you need? And which foods have how much protein?.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

More on Spirulina

Spirulina is a dietary supplement. It is grown all around the world and comes in three different forms - tablet, flake and powder. As well as being a dietary supplement for humans, it can also be given to pets such as cats and dogs.



In the past spirulina is thought to have been used by the ancient Aztecs in the 16th century in what is now known as Mexico. They called it Tecuitlatl, or stone’s excrement. The first major spirulina plant was set up in the 1970s at Lake Texoco, the place where it was first found in abundance.



Although it is now grown worldwide, the main providers of spirulina are America, Thailand, India, Taiwan, China and Myanmar.



As a dietary supplement, it has some definite health benefits. It contains lots of protein, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. It contains a wide range of vitamins including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), B12 (cyanocobalamin), and vitamins C, D and E. It also contains a whole host of minerals including potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, sodium and zinc. It makes vitamin A available to use in the body. Vitamin A is needed to keep eyes, teeth and the immune system functioning properly.



Research on animals has shown that spirulina can help to reduce strokes and improves recovery from strokes, reverses age-related memory loss and both treats and prevents hay fever. In addition, it is also used to treat arthritis, increase energy levels, improve the functioning of the liver, make the body more resistant to disease and improve overall health. There are several side effects to spirulina including dry fever and sickness.



Spirulina is not just available for human consumption. You can also buy it to give to your pets and it is perfectly safe to do so. It is used in certain dental products, which are aimed at cats and dogs.




Go here for more information on Spirulina. You might be surprised just how popular this algae is becoming.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Grail
http://EzineArticles.com/?Spirulina---A-General-Overview&id=523519

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Spirulina: World's Superfood

Spirulina has been around for over 3.5 billion years and is one of nature’s oldest and most nourishing foods.



It has been referred to as the most complete supplement of all and provides a massive amount of nutrients and health benefits.



Nature's complete supplement



Spirulina is one of the most beneficial of all dietary supplements known. At 60 to 70% protein, it is higher in protein than any other natural food.



Spirulina is also rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Due to spirulina extremely high concentration of nutrients, it is very filling and can be used by those on a diet.



What is spirulina?



Spirulina straddles the period in evolutionary development when the plant and animal kingdoms differentiated.



Spirulina embodies the simplest form of life and is one of the most natural foods you can eat.



Spirulina is in fact 65 to 71 percent complete protein, with all essential amino acids in perfect balance.



In comparison, beef is only 22 percent protein and also has a photosynthetic conversion rate of 8 to 10 percent, compared to only 3 percent in such plants as soybeans.



An alternative to low nutrients of modern foods



Many processed foods are nutritionally empty and leave us vulnerable to poor health, disease and low energy.



This is where a natural supplement such as spirulina is so beneficial for overall health and vitality.



Medical evidence of benefits



It is recognized by the United Nations, the World Health Organization and NASA that spirulina provides crucial health benefits:



1. It strengthens the immune system

2. It supports cardiovascular health

3. It helps in lowering cholesterol levels

4. It improves gastrointestinal and digestive health

5. It acts as a natural cleansing and detoxification

6. Its antioxidant formulas help prevent cancer



The benefits of Spirulina



Spirulina contains one of the most powerful combinations of nutrients ever known in any grain, herb or food including the following:
Beta carotene



Spirulina beta carotene is ten times more concentrated than carrots.



Vegetable protein without fat or cholestorol



Spirulina is the highest protein food with all the essential amino acids and has few calories.



Its protein yield is 10 times that of soybeans, 20 times that of corn and 200 times greater than that of beef.



Fatty acids for health



Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) helps develop healthy babies in pregnant women.



Studies show nutritional deficiencies can block GLA production in the body, Spirulina is the only whole food with GLA.



Iron & minerals



Iron is essential to build a strong system and is the most common mineral deficiency. In fact, at least one laboratory study has demonstrated that the iron level in spirulina is equivalent to that contained in beef.



Spirulina is also rich in magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid).



High in B Complex vitamins



Spirulina is the highest source of B-12, one of the most important vitamins and essential for healthy nerves and tissue.



In addition, Spirulina is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12, usually found only in animal tissues.



A teaspoon of Spirulina supplies 21/2 times the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin B12 and contains over twice the amount found in liver.



Phyltonutrinets



Sulfolipids & glycolipids, and the rainbow of natural pigments that give spirulina its deep green coloring.



Green (chlorophyll), blue (phycocyanin) and orange (carotenoids) colors absorb the sun’s energy and help growth.



Chlorophyll is a natural cleanser and is prevalent in Spirulina.



Green foods are good for everyone



Most people don’t eat the recommended 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables per day and this is where Spirulina can fill the gap.
It can be taken in pill or in powder form with fruit juice and provides quick and easy nourishment



Spirulina is natural, packed with goodness, filling and is easy to take, so discover the benefits of this amazing food and make it part of your overall diet today.




For more sensible health and nutrition advice on all areas of health diet and wellbeing as well as free ezines and newsleters visit =>http://www.net-planet.org/health.html



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sacha_Tarkovsky
http://EzineArticles.com/?Spirulina;-Natures-Greatest-All-Round-Food&id=141058

Discount Shopping Tips

Valuable Tips to Help You Save Money by Discount Shopping


Let's face facts, we all aren't born rich. That doesn't mean you can't buy designer clothes or items; quite the contrary, as a matter of fact. Thanks to some crafty discount shopping, you can double or triple your dollar's buying capabilities. It is not only a fun activity but also a rewarding one that can benefit you and your friends. You just need to know where to look and where to start.



Discount shopping is a way of life for some people. They get everything they own due to great deals on lots of different items. It takes a steady routine of bargain hunting that will eventually bring you face to face with a great deal. Discount shopping is a lot of hard work, but the great bargains you can find provide reason enough for the effort. Here are a few ways you can get started today:




  • Let's not kid ourselves here. Nearly everyone goes discount shopping, with most of them only settling on buying items if they cost wholesale or less. If one of your friends tells you they are running to a discount store, I can guarantee you they are discount shopping.


  • If you plan on going discount shopping, then you better dress for a long day walking around and on your feet. That's why it is so important to wear comfortable clothes. Don't be afraid of getting them dirty either since serious discount shopping may mean searching through piles of merchandise to find the best deal. You may even find yourself dirtying your behind sitting on the floor if some of the racks are located at knee height.


  • I cannot stress this point enough but you need to leave your kids at home. Discount shopping means searching through racks of clothing for a designer original and it requires concentration and stamina, both of which you won't have with your kids running around. Plus, most of these discount stores are not really an environment best suited for children.


  • There will come a time when you will need to fight the urge to argue or confront in any way someone else over an item you both want. The last thing you want to do is have a physical altercation due to aggressive shopping, no matter how much of a bargain it is. Keep your dignity and walk away before any problems occur. Do you really want to be that person on the news because you got in a physical fight over a sale item?


  • One well known secret is to use coupons and multiple discounts as much as possible. The goal of a successful discount shopping trip is frugality. Who cares if you look cheap? You're there on a mission. Be sure to read over your receipt before leaving the store and confirm you received all of the discounts you were supposed to. Never get intimidated by any sales associates or personnel are you are skimming through the sales racks.


  • Don't go into this with any expectations of personal customer service. As a matter of fact, most discount stores offer little to no customer service but plenty of long waiting lines at the check out counter. Stay calm and relaxed.





Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tl_Kleban
http://EzineArticles.com/?Valuable-Tips-to-Help-You-Save-Money-by-Discount-Shopping&id=790764

Friday, January 4, 2008

Organic Spirulina Site is Live

My organic spirulina site is up and live! My goal is to see how serious Americans are about their health and their spirulina. As you may know, this algae is a super-food that is full of things to keep you healthy. I've even heard some reports saying that it can be used to cure common ailments like acne.*


Source: Wikipedia

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Updates

The stuff over at eHalfOff is at a stand-still while I try to figure out what to do with my programmers. I'm mad I missed the Christmas shopping season. They finally gave a poor product this week. It looks horrible.


However, things over at xSpirulina.com are spicing up! I did a check yesterday for the word "spirulina" and I didn't show up. Earlier today I did one and I ranked close to 600. Then tonight I searched for spirulina again and I was up to #81! Woo-hoo!


I'm going to run my A/B testing this weekend. After that I've got my writer lined up to write about 35 articles covering all things spirulina: beta carotene, food in developing countries, Omega-6 foods. I hope the test goes well so I can get the heck out of dodge with my other job.


I'll update the details of the A/B test soon!