FOOD AND HERBS TO LOSE WEIGHT.

There is no 'quick fix' to losing weight .
By controlling our eating habits we can safely lose weight over a period of time.

These are some tips to lose weight:

• Drinking lemon juice mixed with a little honey helps in losing weight.
• Regular intake of carrot or carrot juice helps in reducing weight.
• Drinking green tea also helps in controlling weight gain
• Avoid the junk foods that have no nutritional value.
• Avoid very sweet, salty or oily food especially at night.
• Reduce calorie dense foods, they are the most likely source of weight gain.
  
  Source: http://tulsee.blogspot.com/2006/12/w...naturally.html

SNACKS UNDER 100 CALORIES

The lure of between-meal snacking is one of the main obstacles to losing weight or maintaining an already slim-and-trim body. But never fear… You don't have to give up the occasional nosh entirely, as long as you stick to low-calorie foods. In fact, eating regularly throughout the day keeps your metabolism up and keeps your blood sugar at a more consistent level.

With that in mind, what follows is a list of healthy snacks that are all 100 calories or less and require little or no preparation.

Peanut Butter Celery Stalk -- One stalk of celery dabbed with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter (the kind without added hydrogenated oils) equals about 100 calories of protein-rich deliciousness.

Reduced-Fat Triscuits -- Six of these crunchy whole-grain crackers tote up to under 100 calories. The fiber content will help fill your stomach.

Dry-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds -- A quarter cup of this mineral-rich snack comes out to about 75 calories

Chocolate Treat -- For a quick and easy chocolate fix, take about six tablespoons of any brand of light whipped cream or light whipped cream substitute, and fold in a teaspoon of a powdered cocoa mix. Blend it thoroughly. Only about 50 calories.

Strawberry Newtons -- Nabisco sells a two-cookie snack pack of these. Each cookie is 100 calories. Eat one and give the other to a friend.

Cheese Stick with Marinara Sauce -- Put a low-fat mozzarella cheese stick into a bowl along with a quarter cup of marinara sauce. Heat briefly in the microwave (be careful not to overheat or you'll end up with soup). About 100 calories.

Half-Cup of Sherbet or Sorbet -- A good ice cream substitute, and under 100 calories.

Root Beer Float -- Take eight ounces of diet root beer. Add a scoop of non-fat vanilla frozen yogurt. Around 90 calories.

Watermelon -- Two cups of watermelon cubes are fairly filling and equal only about 85 calories.

Corn on the Cob -- One medium-sized ear with a dash of seasoning will set you back only 80 calories.

Puffed Wheat Cereal -- Grab two-thirds of a cup of puffed wheat. Add a half cup of skim milk and a teaspoon of sugar or sugar substitute. About 100 calories.

Blueberries -- They're delicious fresh from a farmer's market. A cup equals only 90 calories.

Vegetarian Baked Beans -- Doesn't taste much different from the kind with pork in it. One third cup is only about 75 calories.

Teddy Grahams Crackers -- The chocolate ones are particularly yummy. Fifteen clock in at 82 calories.

Plums -- Three on the small side add up to around 90 calories.

Bagel Bites -- Found in the freezer section of your grocery store. Two of these little pizza treats equal 100 calories.

Turkey Sandwich -- Make a half-sandwich using a slice of whole-wheat bread and about two ounces of low-fat turkey breast. Add mustard and/or lettuce or a thin slice of tomato if you like. You're looking at about 100 calories.

Seven-Ounce Bottle of Dannon Lite 'n' Fit Carb Control Smoothie -- Good source of protein and calcium. Only 70 calories.

Campbell's Soup-at-Hand -- A convenient microwavable soup that you sip right from the container. The chicken noodle flavor is only 80 calories.

Red or White Wine or Champagne -- Five ounces of the bubbly stuff is under 100 calories.

Fruit and Whipped Cream -- Take a half cup of your favorite kind of berries -- raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, etc. -- and place them in a bowl. Top with two tablespoons of a low-fat whipped cream or whipped cream substitute. About 100 calories.

Craisins -- Dried cranberries make a nice change of pace from raisins. Four tablespoons come to around 90 calories.

Grapes -- Ever try them frozen? A great summertime treat. Thirty are under 100 calories.

Bagel -- A half a bagel with a very light sprinkling of low-fat butter substitute will be around 100 calories.

Breadsticks -- The kind with sesame seeds -- two of 'em add up to about 85 calories.


By eDiet.com

HEALTHFULL SUMMER

Summer begins on June 20th, so get ready for longer days, warmer weather and different daily routines. When it gets hot outside its best to have a plan that supports healthful eating, drinking and physical activity. Try following tips for more healthful warm weather routine:

Enjoy small, frequent, low calorie mini meals. Heat can suppress our appetites, but that doesn’t mean that it’s okay to skip meals. Several hours without food can increase your risk of dehydration, cause fatigue and grouchiness and encourage you to overeat at your next meal. Eating snack-type meals every few hours can keep your energy levels up. Try fresh fruit and raw unsalted nuts, carrot sticks and hummus, lightly salted edamame (green soy beans), a hardboiled egg with cherry tomatoes or fresh turkey breast slices rolled in a corn tortilla with some guacamole.

Have salad for dinner. If your kitchen gets too warm to cook in, consider easily assembled recipes such as salads for dinner. Salads make satisfying meal if they are well- balanced with vegetables, whole grains (like fresh corn or barley), and protein ( from beans, eggs, chicken or fish). Top with dressing made with vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

Make meals simple. Even if your kitchen stays cool, you’ll still want to opt for quick recipes that leave you time to relax and enjoy the extended daylight. Choose recipes that don’t require a lot of preparation or ingredients. At the market, buy ingredients that cook quickly, such as shrimp, scallops, eggs and boneless chicken pieces. Pair these quick-cooking proteins with fresh pre-cut vegetables that can be eaten raw or lightly cooked. I like jumbo scallops sautéed in extra virgin olive oil and topped with fresh mango salsa from our produce department.

Choose fresh summer produce. Locally grown seasonal produce items need very little preparation, since they will be at their peak of freshness and flavor right now. Summer produce items such as berries, stone fruits, melons, lettuce, corn and tomatoes are particularly good now. Sliced heirloom tomatoes and avocado is one of my favorite summer dishes, while nectarines and raspberries pair well with semi-frozen vanilla Greek yogurt for dessert.

Stay hydrated. Summer heat increases your need for water and other fluids by raising your body’s temperature, forcing it to work harder to cool down. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, which can drain your energy and decrease mental clarity.

Drink plenty of water. Make water your drink of choice since it is your body’s ideal beverage. Water makes 50-75 % of your body weight, which means that it is the most efficient and economical beverage for meeting your fluid level.

Keep chemicals out. If you carry your water with you, try to put it in a reusable bottle made of stainless steel or glass in order to keep it pure and free of chemicals that may leach from plastic bottles.

Limit caloric beverages.
Other beverages, such as tea, coffee, juice, coconut water, sparkling water, milk and soy milk, can also meet your fluid needs, but these drinks may also contain unnecessary calories. Choose beverages that do not contain added sweeteners, artificial or natural, in order to keep control the calories they contribute to your diet.

Count your cocktails. Remember that alcoholic beverages, like beer and wine, can be dehydrating, so be sure to alternate each drink with glass of water.

Play outside. It’s easy to be more physically active in the summer since the outdoors can be so inviting and there are more hours of daylight to allow you to exercise outdoors. This is a great time of year to breathe new life into your fitness routine or to start being active if you’re currently sedentary. Seek out walking paths, outdoor yoga or tai chi classes and group games such as beach volleyball and soccer.

Keep cool. Try to be active during cooler parts of the day – early morning and in the evenings – since mid-day heat can sap your motivation and endurance.

Protect your skin. Whatever time of day you exercise, be sure to carry water with you during your time outdoors and protect your body with sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

When we adopt our summer lifestyles, we often change our eating and exercise habits – hopefully these tips will help you change yours for the better.