Fitness4Her

Women's Fitness

Lose Weight And Get In Shape With Positive Words Of Praise

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When is the last time you said something wonderful about yourself or even had positive thoughts about something that you have done? If you are having trouble remembering the last time you said or even thought nice things about yourself, then it’s time for some positive words of praise.

We tend to stand in awe of sights such as the ocean, mountains or valleys but of all God’s creations, humans are the most spectacular. Our mental and spiritual strengths cannot be matched. We are truly impressive creatures.

Gifted with the ability to speak, we sometimes forget just how powerful our words can be. We can hurt those that we love with the sharp edged sword that is known as our tongue, crushing egos, wielding painful accusations, or spreading damaging gossip that can forever end a relationship.

In the same breath, we have the power to lift the spirit of the downtrodden, compliment someone’s appearance, even praise the hard work of a colleague. It’s our choice, how we use the words, whether to crush someone’s spirit, anger them or lift them up with positive words of praise.

This is equally true when we consider our own selves. If we speak negatively or possess negative thoughts about ourselves, these words and thoughts tend to linger around in our mental bank. They pop up when we least expect it, nag us with accusations and fear, and stand in the way of our success.

However, if you will begin saying positive affirmations each day, you can change the conversation that is taking place in your head. It’s easy to do and it might well be your key to losing weight and getting in shape.

Begin each day with positive affirmations of what you will do. What you will eat, how mush exercise you will do, how wonderful you look and how healthy you feel because of your healthy choices.

Most importantly, you must believe in the power of your words. Believe that these things are possible. If you must repeat the same words over and over, believe in what you are saying. Practice this every day and you will see how easy it is to lose weight and get in shape with positive words of praise.

Taking A Cooking Class For Those Who Love To Eat

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All too often our daily food choices are based upon foods we are used to eating, those that are simple to prepare, or fast foods that are easy to grab.  Unaware of the effects of our food choices on our health and wellbeing, we often experience weight gain, mood swings, decreased energy and attention levels, and cravings for nutrition deficient food. We unconsciously create food sensitivities, accelerate the aging process and repeatedly make choices that contribute to several unhealthy and life weakening conditions that can sabotage our best efforts to eat a healthy diet.

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If your goal is simply to eat more healthfully, or if you are just learning how to cook, cooking classes can be very informative and fun. You’ll learn new and exciting kitchen friendly recipes and culinary techniques, how to have more energy, think more clearly, look and feel better, eliminate cravings and maintain or lose weight—often a by-product of a healthier diet.

Check your local grocer for cooking classes or search the Internet for classes in your area. Your local college may even offer these. The great thing about taking a cooking class is that you always learn something new. From discovering new twists to an old dish or getting informed about new appliances or gadgets, cooking classes can resurrect excitement for cooking like nothing else.

A healthy cooking class is an ideal chance to learn how to utilize key ingredients and make fast, simple and delicious meals with optimum health benefits. Learning a healthier way of cooking can be enjoyable, affordable, quick and easy so as to fit into your active lifestyle.

You’ll learn simple tricks to cut the fat in your meal preparation without sacrificing flavor. Learn how easy it is to follow step-by-step healthy cooking techniques that you can use at home. Bring a friend or simply enjoy the company of like-minded individuals in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. There is a lot of fun to be had at a healthy cooking class.

Cooking the same old meals week after week can make you want to throw a spatula into the air and scream like a crazed chef, that’s why you need to get out of your kitchen and step into someone else’s. And what better kitchen to step into than a commercial kitchen that will teach you some cooking tips and tricks.

The price for classes varies, but most are not too expensive. You’ll probably have to buy the food or pay a fee that covers the food. Usually cooking classes last for 4 to 6 weeks. During those weeks, you’ll normally cook something at each session. Not only will you learn how to cook new dishes, you’ll find out about foods that you might not be familiar with. It’s a great way to pamper your self and learn something new.

Interesting facts about how to select certain fruits and veggies, the best time to purchase fresh meat, and hints on making your dish taste better are all things you will learn at a cooking class. Sharing time with like-minded individuals is also a great advantage. Ask a friend to join you or bring along your spouse.

Men enjoy cooking too, and if healthy eating has been a problem at your home, a couple’s class may be the ideal way to make healthier food choices. Learning tasty ways to prepare these foods might be all the persuasion that’s needed to start eating better foods. Once you join the ranks and learn how to prepare healthy meals, your whole family will benefit.

There are also cooking classes for children. Now more than ever, it’s important to teach your kids how to eat healthy. Nutrition has become a main concern in every home due to the major negative influence of junk foods and fast foods. Children become familiarized with company logos of places that generate unhealthy habits in people and are especially harmful for children, as their development and strength are dramatically diminished by the continuous ingestion of high fats and sugars contained in much of the food.

Tempting toys and packaging go along way in stimulating a child’s emotional button so that they think they want these foods, when in reality their little bodies are starving for healthy and nutritious foods. But sadly, without some intervention by you the parent, the child will grow up adapting to the same bad habits that are generated by these places.

Teaching children how to prepare simple meals that they can put together themselves is an ideal way to get them started eating healthier. Most children are happy to eat what they prepare; so let them make their own sandwich or salad, as long as they are willing to eat it when they are done.

The best way to engage children in important activities and make them care is by allowing them to take active part in the preparation.  Children wish to feel valuable and dependable. When you put them in charge of the salad or the dessert, it gives them something to be proud of. Don’t be surprised if after preparing something for the family, your little one gobbles up most of the dish.

Cooking doesn’t have to be a solo activity, unless you want it to be. Allowing others to take part at least some of the time will bring your family closer together and ensure that everyone is eating healthier.

Every member of your family can benefit from a cooking class, though you may decide that you want to take it alone or with a girlfriend. It’s a great time to socialize with others who enjoy cooking or just looking for some new ideas. If you have a business or service to offer, a cooking class will provide new contacts too. Remember though, the reason you and others are here is because of an interest in cooking, don’t annoy people with your own agenda. Be respectful and enjoy the chance to meet some new people and to learn something new.

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Black and Blue Berry Delight

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Pickin’ blackberries and blueberries is a Southern tradition. You’ve got to look out for the snakes, but otherwise it can be lots of fun. Blackberries grow wild but just as with blueberries, there are farms that allow visitors to pick and pay, this means you pick your own and pay by the pint. This berry delicious treat is healthy and anticipated after a day in the sun.

One 8oz carton light (fat-free) sour cream
2 Tbs. stevia
2 Tbs. lime peel
1 Tbs. lime juice
3 cups fresh blackberries and blueberries, washed well and mixed.

Directions:

Whip sour cream with stevia.
Add lime peel and lime juice.
Stir well.
Place berries in a pretty glass bowl or dessert cup.
Drizzle sour cream mixture or serve on the side for dipping.

Health Benefits:
Berries are rich in Beta Carotene and antioxidants that fight cancer-friendly free radicals. A great way to boost your immune system. Berries aid in digestion, are full of Vitamin C and help to boost the immune system. This dessert is low in fat and calories, low in sodium, sugar and contains no heart clogging cholesterol.

Cheesy Baked Grouper

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This wonderful dish makes 4 nice healthy servings. I like to serve it with rice and broccoli or asparagus. Potatoes are a great complement too. Toast some whole grain bread and serve.

4 – 4oz.fresh grouper fillets
1/4 cup light mayo
2 to3 Tbs. of grated parmesan cheese
1 Tbs. fresh chives
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce or white wine

Directions:

Coat baking pan with Pam cooking spray carefully lay each grouper fillet in pan without breaking.
In small bowl stir together mayo, cheese, chives, and Worcestershire sauce.
Spread mayo mixture over grouper fillets.
Bake on 450 degrees for 4 to 6 minutes.
Test with fork for flakiness when done.
Serve with steamed rice and broccoli.

Health Benefits:
An excellent source of protein, low in fat and sodium, grouper is a nutrient rich fish. A cold water fish that is recommended because of its high levels of omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it provides a whole day’s worth of vitamin D!

Yeast Infection – Causes And Cures

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Candidiasis, commonly known as yeast infection is caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. Present on all surfaces of the body, the problem with candida occurs when they multiply in numbers and cause an infection. This is particularly problematic in warm, moist areas such as the vagina, mouth, underarms, and nail bed and in small children, the diaper area.

Yeast infections can and regularly do occur after taking an antibiotic. In women, vaginal yeast infections result in burning, itching, and heavy discharge. Yeasts are commonly found in women’s vaginas and it is only after the overgrowth of the yeasts that the problem occurs. Along with antibiotics, steroids are a main cause of the overgrowth of yeasts in the vagina.

When candida causes problems under breasts or other areas where skin folds create a warm moist environment for yeast to grow, the area can be treated with a topical cream and usually clear up in a short time.

In rare cases, the yeast infection may spread throughout the body. Even common mouth and vaginal yeast infections can cause critical illnesses in people with weakened immune systems. Always consult a physician regarding yeast infections that don’t respond to treatment.

Nearly every time my friend takes an antibiotic, she ends up with a yeast infection. But that’s no surprise since that is one of the leading causes of vaginal yeast infections. That is because while antibiotics are taken to kill bad bacteria that are making us ill, it also kills good bacteria that help to keep yeast infections at bay. The warm, moist cocoon known as the vagina is the ideal host for candida to grow and with a reduction in bacteria to fight it off, it wreaks havoc until treatment is rendered.

Devices such as catheters also open the body to yeast infections. People with weakened immune systems, those undergoing cancer treatments or surgery patients are susceptible to yeast infections.

Eating foods that contain probiotics can help to slow the growth of yeast and promote good bacteria in the digestive track. Plain yogurt with probiotics is an excellent choice and will help to balance your system.

If you have a weakened immune system, contact your doctor at the first sign of yeast infection. Don’t try to treat it with over the counter medicines if the yeast infection is oral or vaginal. Other places such as under arms or breasts or stomach can be treated with anti fungal cream. If you find that the infection is not responding to the treatment, contact your doctor.

If vaginal discharge lasts for more than a week and has a foul odor that continues, seek medical care. There are other medical conditions that could be causing the discharge and any infection lasting more than a week needs to be evaluated by a physician.

Maintain a healthy diet at all times and exercise regularly to keep your body at its healthiest and your immune system working at peak condition. My Fitness4Her Diet and 30 Minutes To A New You Exercise Program were developed specifically for women’s fitness. While yeast infections can occur easily under certain circumstances, keeping the body healthy will help to protect you against problems should a yeast infection strike.