FOODS TO HELP YOU FLATTEN YOUR BELLY

Here is a nice article i found on a magazine. Which states that there are certain foods and styles of eating that can help you flatten your belly. It isn't just giving up on carbohydrates and munching on rabbit food.

1. Give me a C. Research says that food rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus, cantaloupe and red pepper, reduces fat absorption. You can meet your daily Vitamin C intake of 75 milligrams by snacking on an orange or a cup of strawberries.

2. Tea up. Women with the highest consumption of catechins, the plant based antioxidants in tea that may boost fat burn, put on fewer pounds than those who drank less tea. The green or white varieties contain the most catechins.

3. Peel it off. Banana, which contains 422 mg of potassium, controls the amount of puff producing sodium in your system. snack on a banana and you'll banish bloat fast.

4. Go low. A meal of low glycemic index foods, which the body digests slowly, makes you feelfuller. These includes oatmeal's, vegetables and some fruits like grapefruits and blueberries.

5. Stroll away your sweet craving. Can't resist chocolates? A little dark chocolate is fine, but if you've already hit your limit, it's time to lace up your sneakers! a 15 minute walk is reported to reduce yearning of sweets during and even after the walk.

6. Ditch high fructose corn syrup. Research suggests that high fructose corn syrup causes a surge in blood sugar and messes up your hunger and satiety signals, leaving you less satisfied and causing you to eat more. The extra calories you eat get deposited as fat. So next time you shop, scan labels and trade packaged foods with high fructose corn syrup for ones with healthy fats and fiber.

7. Snap your snack. Take a photo of everything you eat for five days and chances are, you will consume fewer snacks and less likely to go back for seconds.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR LOVED ONES PERSONALITY

Understanding the personality of our loved ones can help us dal with them better. Knowing your loved one's dominant predisposition can help you relate and communicate with them more effectively. There are many different ways to determine an individual personality. Hippocrates identified 4 major personality types: Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic and Melancholy.

Cholerics are dynamic and active people who are born leaders. They have a compulsive need for change and feel they must correct wrongs. They are strong willed and decisive and are not easily discouraged. They are also independent and self sufficient.

Sanguine people are messy but energetic, optimistic and cheerful. They're enthusiastic when starting something but usually quit before they're done. They live in the present and have a good sense of humor.

Phlegmatic have low key personalities and are laid back. They are detailed oriented people who are calm, cool and collected. They can be precise to a fault(nit picky perfectionist) and somewhat boring.

Melancholy people are the genius prone. They are analytical, artistic or musical, philosophical and poetic. Because they live to the extreme, some would call them moody.

It'll take a little effort to see life from the standpoint of your loved one, but being able to relate better is worth it.

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Are you having problems with high blood pressure? It will do you good if you cut down on sodium. Studies shows that while 2,400 mg is the recommended daily intake of sodium, those who eat less than 1,500 mg a day had improved blood pressure.

Here are some tips to improve your blood pressure:

• Most of your sodium intake comes in the form of table salt(sodium chloride). Salt can come in other forms like sodium benzoate or sodium citrate. Read food labels and choose those that contain less salt.

• Add little or no salt when cooking your food. Also, avoid adding salt to food served on your table.

• Use herbs and spices to season your food. Onions, garlic, parsley, lemon and lime juice and rind, basil, tarragon, marjoram, thyme, curry powder, cumin, paprika, vinegar, celery, red pepper, yellow pepper, green pepper and wine are just some things you can add to enhance the flavor and aroma of foods.

• Choose fresh foods over canned or packaged foods as much as possible.
  

5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR METABOLISM

Metabolism, involves a complex network of hormones and enzymes that not only convert food into fuel but also affect how efficiently you burn that fuel.

The process of metabolism establishes the rate at which we burn our calories and, ultimately, how quickly we gain weight or how easily we lose it. Of course, not everyone burns calories at the same rate.

So here are 5 easy ways to improve your metabolism:

1. Do not skip breakfast. The morning meal jump-starts you metabolism and helps to prevent binging later in the day. Breakfast should include complex carbohydrates like whole grain(granola or oatmeal) with protein and fat(low fat milk or yogurt).

2. Eat more often. Get into the habit of eating every three or four hours, or at least four times a day. Eating frequently stabilizes blood sugar. When you go many hours without eating, the body tends to slow the effect of energy and causes difficulty maintaining your weight loss.

3. Eat protein at every meal. Protein helps reduce your appetite. It takes mote time and energy to digest. Research shows that eating more protein can help you loose weight without cutting calories. Try these protein possibilities: chicken fillet on whole wheat pita, vegetarian pasta or pizza, fruits and nuts, or protein bar that contain 12 or more grams of protein.

4. Stay away from snacks. Many of us take a quick snack for energy when feeling tired. But do not confuse a certain fatigue with hunger. If you are tired, walk 15-20 minutes. This will increase your heart rate and give you an energy boost. Follow with a full glass of cold water. If you're really hungry, have a protein-rich complex carbohydrates as a snack-wheat crackers with peanut butter or cheese.

5. Consume enough for your body's needs. Eating too little slows you body's metabolism the same way if you rarely eat. If you want to lose weight, don't cut calories too drastically. Instead, cut some of the extras in food such as soft drinks, fruit juices, fresh or packaged products. Processed foods end to be high in fat and calories and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

IS HE MR. WRONG?

Here's a nice article for ladies out their are having second thoughts about the guy they are dating. Do you have a feeling that the guy you're dating might be more of a dud then a stud? Take a look at some telltale signs.

1. He is selfish. If the word compromise is alien to your man's consciousness, chances are he's only thinking of himself. Healthy men know how to make compromises, relationship experts say.

2. He doesn't appreciate you. The guy you're dating should not only appreciate you but also respect you, your friends and family.

3. He has no drive. Does your guy spend more time on gimiks with his buddies or watching TV than anything else? If he's busy doing things that don't take his life to new places, he might be a dud.

4. He doesn't show emotion. To be in a healthy relationship, both parties need to be open and honest about their vulnerabilities - and not be afraid to show their emotions. If you find that you're giving more emotionally to the relationship than he is, it might be time to move on.

5. He doesn't have a good relationship with his mother. If a guy's relationship with his mother is constantly strained, it's not a good sign for your relationship. He does not have to be a mama's boy but a guy - at any age - must have a loving and healthy relationship with his mother.

6. He has no friends. Not having many friends, or having friends that are rude, is a sign that he's not easy to get along with. And men who are not easy to get along with must not impose themselves on women who seek a loving relationship.

7. He makes you feel bad about yourself. Why would you want to be around someone who doesn't make you feel happy, successful and fulfilled? If he doesn't listen to you and constant;y puts you down, it's a sign of trouble.

8. He's untrustworthy. if you are unable to trust your partner, you will spend countless time and energy wondering about his capacity to be honest and straightforward about your relationship.

FIVE SIMPLE RULES FOR A CHARMING YOU

I found this in one of my files in my computer, it was from a website, its about five simple rules for a charming you. Believe it or not, there is an attractive, fascinating, and charming side of you that's waiting to be discovered and unleashed. Here's five simple rules to help you tap in the well spring of charm within you.

1. Smile always! Sometimes, we hesitate to smile for fear that the other person won't smile back at us. Smile anyway! A smile is certain to brighten your day and help you look your best.

2. Mind your posture. Be conscious about your posture - sit and stand up straight and walk with your head held high. Maintaining the proper posture helps boost you self-confidence.

3. Relax! if you are a worrier or tend to be anxious and tense, replace your corrosive, negative thoughts with encouraging and positive ones. No one wants to be around a poster child for doom and gloom.

4. Make eye contact. It's a must to make eye contact with the person you are conversing with. This conveys to the other your interest in what that person is saying. It also shows your respect and sincerity as well.

5. Call people by name. This is exactly what name plates or IDs are for - to remind us to call people by their given names. Addressing people by their name gives them a sense of importance and significance. It also helps break the ice and create an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity between two people who've just met.

BECOMING THE EMPLOYEE BOSSES WANT

Want to know how to become the kind of employee your boss would love? Here's a list of some characteristics of great employees that bosses came up with:

1. Dependable and consistent. Always comes to work on time. Gets the job done within the deadline.

2. Flexible and has initiative. Does whatever task is assigned to him. Doesn't wait to be told what to do but is innovative and creative in his job.

3. Positive and motivated. Encourages his fellow workers. Excited about his work and continues to learn and improve at his job.

4. Accountable and frank. Keeps his boss updated about what's going on. Frank about what he expects from the company. Gives positive criticism and suggestions on how to improve the company.