1. Stop smoking.

All the experts agree on this one. Ever since 1960 when it was announced that smoking was harmful to your health, people have been reducing their use of tobacco products. Just recently, we’ve seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Warn your children of the false romance or ‘tough guy’ image of smokers. Find ways to quit smoking such as hypnosis and support groups.

2. Eat foods rich in beta-carotenes.

They can cut your risk of a stroke by 40 percent. Foods rich in beta-carotenes include carrots, cabbage, winter squash, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, apricots, and seaweed.

3. Exercise.

Make it your daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that’s great when you’re up to it. Move more and feel better!

4. Avoid restrictive diets.

Frequent dieting, fasting, binging and purging imbalance your electrolyte levels, causing weakening of the heart muscle and damage to the heart.

5. Reduce your exposure to pollution.

If you can’t live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It’s a good pollution deterrent.

6. Don’t drink too much alcohol.

Whilst it is true that a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more alcohol than that, or binge drinking on a night out, can cause other serious health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer.

7. Reduce stress.

Stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e., go back to number one above!, exercise is a great stress reducer, Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible.

8. Cut down on fat.

Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise.

9. Keep a positive mental outlook.

There’s a definitive connection between living well and healthily and having a cheerful outlook on life. Yes, keep on smiling and laughing!

10. Avoid processed foods.

The food industry aims at making products look and taste appealing without thought to the products’ nutritional value. Loaded with chemical additives and designed to be addictive, processed food is manufactured first for profit.

Stay clear of them!!!

Tim Godfrey is co-author of the healthy dieting book -’Mediterranean Diet Secrets’.

To receive all the latest dieting news and learn more about the book visit: http://www.mediterraneandietsecrets.com

Tags: diet, mediterranean diet, nutrition, Weightlossdiet, mediterranean diet, nutrition, Weightloss

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The Mediterranean diet a real weight loss program or is the Mediterranean diet just another fad diet? Here is some light on this growing weight loss diet.

We all know that their are many fad diets that suggest carbohydrates and fats are responsible for weight gain and bad health. So, many people taking part in the low carb diet. This has lead to many fad diets to focus on low-carb dieting. However, the facts are revealed that carbohydrates and fats were not main problems, and suggested the “right” fats and carbohydrates can be the basis for a diet that could work for you.

So, exactly what is the Mediterranean diet? How can a diet like this help us lose weight?

True of the matter is there actually is no ‘Mediterranean’ diet. Instead, most people know this diet as compilation of the way that people in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea eat. This is where the Mediterranean diet comes from. While there were some changes in the foods, most other surrounding countries base their diets on the same food groups and calories, and most include olive oil as a main source of fat.

The Mediterranean diet consists of the following guidelines:

70% of total carbohydrates from grains, fruits and vegetables

This includes wheat rice, vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads and, wheat.

Use of red meat, fish and poultry

The average adult Mediterranean consumes about 20 ounces of red meat and poultry per week. Around 10-15 ounces of fish per week. This accounts for the bulk of their protein intake. A typical American diet may include a 1 pound meat for supper one night and 1/2 pound chicken the next night.

Olive Oil

Remember that olive oil is not a cure for weight loss. It is, however a monounsaturated fat. Good Fats! Monounsaturated fats help lower cholesterol.

Most Mediterranean lifestyle are active. The typical Mediterranean day might include walking rather than driving, physical activity with others. All the diets in the world are not worth the time or energy if you don’t exercise. Physical activity and exercise are vital in helping the body to get the weight loss you’re looking for.

There is not great miracle to losing weight. With the Mediterranean diet you base your meals on healthy carbohydrates, green vegetables, whole grains and meats. Use meat lightly - no more than 5 ounces per day. Derive dietary fat from vegetable sources - or from fish oil. Always exercise often with a routine that is targeted to weight loss. Remember that the Mediterranean diet is not weight loss program. It’s a new way of eating that may help you get that weight loss you’ve been dreaming about.

Copyright Troy Francis. Troy is a writer and Personal Trainer for Exercise-Diet. Please, feel free to republish this article. We only ask that you leave the resource box and link. You can see more great articles on Weight Loss, Diet, Exercise, Health and much more by going to: http://www.Exercise-Diet.com/

Tags: exercise, health, mediterranean diet, weight lossexercise, health, mediterranean diet, weight loss

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Swordfish belongs to the group of fish that have recently become more appreciated for their contribution of omega-3 essential oils to the diet. These fats, which have to be provided by the diet, have now been shown to have a host of health giving benefits including combatting rheumatoid arthritis, heart attacks, high blood pressure, clogged arteries, psoriasis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, multilple sclerosis and even mirgraine headaches. Doctors and nutritionists now recommend three portions of fatty fish per week to get the full health giving benefits.

Other oily fish which are also beneficial include, tuna, salmon, mackeral, sardines and boquerones.
Swordfish is found in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and forms
quite a large part of the Mediterranean Diet, which is said to be so
healthful and indeed is found on the menu of most restaurants all along the coast.

Swordfish- Buying and Storing.
When buying swordfish pick fish that is a white to pinkish-beige, if it is
tinged with brown it is a sign of an off flavour. Swordfish does have a dark
meat, along with the white, but this should be cherry red not brown.

As with all fish it is best eaten on the day of purchase but if you need to
store it then first wash and pat it dry before placing on a cake rack over a shallow pan
filled with crushed ice and refrigerate. All fish deteriorates if allowed
to sit in its’ own juice.It will store well like this for up tp
2 days. Swordfish can be frozen for up to 2 months but be sure to defrost
slowly and thoroughly before cooking.

Swordfish- Preparation and Cooking.
The secret to successful swordfish cookery is not to overcook it.Whichever
cooking method you use your swordfish will be cooked when its flesh becomes
opaque yet is still moist on the inside. It is best to cook skinless
fillets, steaks or chunks as the skin is tough and strong tasting.

Baking.
Place swordfish in a greased baking dish or wrap in oiled foil and
place on a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter, season with salt
and pepper or cover with a piquant sauce, and bake in a medium oven
for about 20 minutes.

Grilling.
Place steaks or kebabs on a well greased grill pan and place under the
grill for about 6-10 minutes, turning once.

Pan frying.
Fry the swordfish in butter or olive oil, turning once. Cook for about
4-8 minutes until the fish is opaque and moist on the inside.

Stir-frying.
Cut swordfish steaks into bite size pieces and coat in wholemeal flour.
Stir fry gently and briefly in hot olive oil and then add to your favourite
stir fired vegetables.

Poaching.
Place enough water in a large frying pan to cover the fish, add seasoning
of choice, dill is good. Bring to the boil then add the fish, cover the pan
and simmer for about 8 minutes.

Grilled Swordfish (serves 4)

Ingredients.
4 swordfish steaks.
1/4 cup lemon juice.
2 tbs. water.
1tbs. olive oil.
2 cloves of garlic, crushed.
1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Wash steaks and pat dry. Place in a large covered dish. Mix together
all the above ingredients to make marinade and pour over the fish.Place
in the refiregerator and marinate for at least one hour and no more
than 12.
Oil the grill rack and place the swordfish under a hot grill for 4-5
minutes per side until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Serve with sauteed potatoes and fresh green salad.

Article submitted by Ruth Polak, the owner of http://www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com a web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa del Sol and in rural Andalucia. You will also find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia in general, plus other Spanish recipe ideas.

Tags: cooking fish, cooking swordfish, mediterranean diet, omega 3 oil, spanish recipes, swordfishcooking fish, cooking swordfish, mediterranean diet, omega 3 oil, spanish recipes, swordfish

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