Anti-Stress Diet - For Better Health and Avoiding Illness

Can diet affect our reaction to stress?

It can, and was proved in recent research at the University of Calgary in Canada.

It showed a high fat diet increased our negative reaction to stress in general, while a low fat diet produced the opposite reaction...that is, a the low fat diet reduced the negative consequences of stressful events.

This is something the health food proponents have been claiming forever, but some scientific evidence now is helping us understand just how correct eating can affect our entire life.

The University of Calgary Study

The study used two groups; one who ate a McDonald's breakfast (42 grams of fat) and the other who ate a low fat diet of natural cereals and low-fat milk.

The groups were subjected to stress, and measured for symptoms of suffering from the consequences of that stress. The low fat group did not suffer any symptoms while the high fat group suffered measurably.

The groups were then reversed, with the McDonald's group eating the low fat diet and the low fat group eating the high fat breakfast. The results were measured again, and like the first test, the high fat group suffered while the low fat group did not

Basis of the Low Fat Diet

There are a few guiding principles of the low fat diet. They are as follows:

o The daily consumption of food must include at least 33% of fruits and vegetables. If the vegetables are cooked, they must be lightly cooked only, such as steamed, but never boiled.

o Animal foods should not contain very much fat. Red meat can be totally avoided, and replaced with turkey and chicken (with fatty parts removed).

o The use of fats should be limited to extra virgin olive oil or similar, with as little of trans fats or hydrogenated fats allowed.

o Fried foods should be limited to oriental style stir frying, and the use of oil restricted to those listed above.

Typical Selections of Low Fat Meals

Breakfast

A natural cereal with low fat milk, fresh fruit, and natural products like honey give you good protection
against stress suffering (a natural reaction). Breakfast should limit severely animal products (including milk).

Lunch

The natural Japanese diet of raw fish and rice, Miso soup and vegetables gives you continued protection against negative stress reactions and can keep you thin (or help you to become so)

Late Day Snack

Fruit of any kind.

Dinner

The best diner would be a fresh dark green leaf salad (such as spinach or Ruccola) with tomato and other salad (raw) vegetables. A dressing of extra virgin olive oil and natural vinegar (or lemon juice) and a very limited amount of salt provides not only a healthful diner but its light so your sleep will be uninterrupted by digestive irregularities.

Follow the Guidelines

Just saying no to certain foods can bring you the anti-stress results you need. Refrain from deep fried foods (potatoes are especially fatty ), and choose the lighter fare.

Results

The results will be your protection against stress, and this has its corollaries in helping you maintain a normal blood pressure, increased efficiency of immune system, reduced or ideal weight, and positive mental outlook...that is, you will feel better and be happier.

Practical Guide to Having Better Sex - Foods and Techniques That Will Increase Your Sexuality

Feast on this ultimate guide to the sexiest foods, some new ways of turning each other on, the steamiest sex, and the hottest ways to a heavenly orgasm.

Plump Up Your Sexual Appetite

They say food is the way to a man's heart, but did you know that some munchies can turn him off sex, while others will make him feel like an Energizer bunny?

If you want your man red hot and ready to go, don't feed him too much red meat (animal protein has been linked to the kidneys and decreased sexual desire), dairy or ice cream just before bed. These will have a negative effect on you and your man's sex drive.

For a really steamy evening, try ginger wine. According to aromatherapists and the ancient Romans, ginger is one of the strongest aphrodisiacs around. Add some ginger root to a bottle of dry white wine; let it steep for a couple of weeks, then have a few glasses before your naughty deed.

The top foods to make both of you randy? Seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, miso soup, wholegrain rice (complex carbohydrates which help boost sexual energy) and oysters (zinc) - all of which contain essential minerals and vitamins as well as balanced energy to help you feel more sensual and give you more stamina for love-making.

Getting In The Mood

What happens if you and hubby find it tough to unwind or are just too tired to have sex?

For him: Try a foot massage. According to shiatsu experts, briskly rubbing the soles of the feet, then gently massaging the whole foot will make his erection last longer and increase sexual vitality.

For her: Apply this age-old method passed down from ancient Chinese sex experts. Press the point between the tendons of the big toe and second toe, about two inches up from the webbing of the foot, a dozen times for 10 seconds on each foot. This point, known as the "Supreme Thrust," will give you an instant rush of sexual energy, but do it only after a foot massage - you need to feel relaxed to get the full benefit.

For a special sex boost, give acupressure a go. Light pressure, with the thumb on either side of the spine (make sure you don't put pressure on the spine itself) starting at the bottom and working upwards, will enhance sexual feelings and make you feel sexy all over. When you've finished, briskly rub your hands up and down your partner's body to make him or her feel totally turned on and ready for love.

Feeling uptight? Try meditating. All you have to do is find a quiet place to sit, then visualize all your worries floating away, or imagine them being wrapped up in big plastic bags, then dropped over a bridge.

Another great sex booster is hydrotherapy. Take a scented bath together, or make love in the shower. And if you're really adventurous, try a hot and cold shower before sex - this will boost body circulation and make your skin tingle all over, leaving you ready for sex.

Trigger Your Orgasm

If you've ever had difficulty having an orgasm because you can't stop thinking about work, the bills and the meaning of life, here are some guaranteed ways to get back on track.

According to a study on arousal, tensing your stomach, legs, arms and feet muscles during sex can trigger an orgasm. It is also recommended that during sex, your head can hang off the end of the bed. This increases blood flow to your head and changes your breathing pattern, leaving you feeling more aroused and turned on.

Or try visualization to get in the mood. Summon up mental images of past love-making sessions. What did they sound like? How did they smell? Remind yourself of past pleasures, and then bring those feelings into the present.

Really let go - scream and pant and let all that tension out, then relax into a mind-blowing climax. But make sure the neighbors are out!

How to Make an Outrageously Rich Decadent Brownie Recipe Better!

Crunchy Chocolate Brownies.

Ingredients

4 sticks butter
1 pound semisweet chocolate chips
6 ounces dark chocolate (at least 75% cocoa) , chopped
6 large organic eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons pure vanilla essence
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup plus 1/4 cup flour
50 Oreo cookies chopped into four pieces.

Chef's Tip

Brownies cook better when in the center of the oven. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°. Butter and flour a rectangle baking tray.

Method

Put a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water, heat butter, chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate until melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, coffee, vanilla and sugar. Blend chocolate mixture into egg mixture and cool.

In a medium bowl, sift together one cup flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to chocolate. Put the crushed Oreos in a plastic bag with a 1/4 cup flour and shake, this stops them sinking to the bottom of the brownie.The add the Oreos to the chocolate mixture and pour into the baking tray, bang sharply on the counter twice with the tray to settle the mixture.

Bake 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean do not over bake they go dry when over baked. Cool and cut into squares.

If these are being served to an adult a large slug of kirsch or cherry brandy onto the brownies as they come out of the oven give them a fantastic cherry taste. Serve with cherry ice cream or a thick clotted cream or creme fraiche.