Archive for the 'Health' Category



Safe Food Handling from Supermarket to Kitchen

Posted By Charles Cheffo on May 28, 2009 @ 8:03 am
by Charles Cheffo

Here is a quick reference guide to refreshing your awareness of safe food preparation. Pointers and information to always keep in mind when preparing food or storing it away for future use.

Most conscientious cooks use common sense when preparing or storing food. But common sense in food preparation doesn’t just happen, it is learned. This learning happens and when we forget where we learned it, we call it common sense.

Here are just a few pointers to refresh and reinforce your common sense as you are preparing your current meal or storing it for future use.

Food safety actually starts with your trip to the supermarket. Examine the packaged or canned foods. Do the cans have dents? Don’t buy them. Is the jar cracked? Leave it. Does the lid seem loose or bulging? Pick up another. Look for any expiration dates on the labels, they are there for a reason. Never buy outdated food, even if it is on special. Check the “use by” or “sell by” date on dairy products and pick the ones that will keep the longest. Sometimes they may be at the back of the shelves.

After food shopping shopping, put food into the refrigerator or freezer right away. Better yet, put your refrigerator foods straight into one of those insulated freezer bags in the shopping cart and in your car.

Make sure to set the refrigerator temperature is set to 40 deg F and the freezer is set to 0 F. Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours. Raw meat, poultry, and seafood should be placed in containers to prevent their fluids from dripping on other foods. Meat fluids could possibly grow harmful germs. Eggs always go in the refrigerator.

Always cook food thoroughly until it is done. Red meat should turn brown inside. Chicken, when poked with a fork, should have clear juices. Fish, on the other hand, when poked with a fork, should flake. Cooked egg whites and yolks should be firm and not run. Be sure to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperatures of your poultry, meat, and other foods. Leave it in long enough to ensure an accurate reading.

Wash your hands and cooking surfaces frequently. Germs can be spread quickly so this will ensure that it will not take hold and grow onto your food. A solution of one teaspoon of bleach in one litre of water is all that is needed to sanitise washed surfaces and utensils.

Cooked foods should definitely not be left standing in the kitchen counter or table for more than two hours. And if you must leave them out of the fridge, cover the food so insects can’t rest on it. Bacteria tends to grow in temperatures between 40 and 140 deg F.

Foods that have been cooked ahead and cooled should be reheated to at least 165 deg F. (This just so happens to be one of the most overlooked areas in food prep).

Chill Leftover Food Promptly. Place food in the refrigerator and leave room for ventilation. The cold air needs to circulate freely to keep food safe. Divide the food and place in shallow containers. Think about date labeling some of these containers so you don’t lose track of how long they’ve been refrigerating.

These are just a few tips that you already know, but need to keep remembering. If you follow these basics you will avoid most food spoilage problems.

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Do You Know What Are the Different Types of Bruising?

Posted By Jan Doan on @ 8:03 am
by Carolyn Cooper

When you are looking at bruises, whether they are on yourself or someone that you love, it is important to remember that there are different, specific types of bruises out there. If you know a little more about the different kinds of bruises there are, you are likely going to be much more aware of available treatments and what needs to happen. Take some time and really consider how much you know about bruises and how best to treat them. If you know a little about how mild or severe a bruise is, you are going to have a much better idea of how best to treat it.

First, take into consideration where the damage is located specifically. A subcutaneous bruise is found just beneath your skin and will usually be relatively mild. Another variety of bruise, an intramuscular bruise takes place within the belt of the muscle beneath and is considered to be a more serious injury. A periosteal bruise is another name for a bone bruise, which can be a source of significant pain.

In the rating of bruises, medical professionals sometimes will use the following scale to indicate the severity:

0- a light bruise with no damage at all 1- a less than moderate bruise with a minimal amount of damage done 2- a moderate bruise showing some damage 3- a serious bruise with the possibility of permanent or impermanent harm 4- an extremely serious bruise with the possibility of permanent or impermanent damage 5- a critical bruise containing a risk of death

When you get a light bruise, you could feel a bit of pain, whether it occurs right away or later. You may develop an inflammation because histamines have been released into the blood stream. Even after the capillary walls have been repaired, blood can still weep out and cause the bruise to look darker, and it will generally take about fifteen days for a light bruise to fade, while a darker bruise can take a little longer. Bruises that are categorized as mild will tend to need the least amount of treatment, though depending on the location of the bruise, you could have to rely on some stretching exercises during the healing process so that the muscles beneath the bruise don’t become stiff and stubborn.

With bruises that are considered moderate or severe, however, you can find that you are going to be dealing with somewhat serious complications. Further bleeding may occur, and it is possible that swelling can cut off the flow of blood to the tissues. The blunt trauma that goes into creating bruises of this severity can result in injury to the internal organs or bones, and if the strike is severe enough, concussion, coma and even death can be the result. At this point, emergency treatment becomes necessary.

Fortunately enough, most of us will never have to deal with anything other than light bruises in our everyday life. Make certain that your bruises, no matter how severe, are given appropriate treatment.

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How Additionality Determines Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Posted By Daniel Stouffer on @ 8:01 am
by Daniel Stouffer

Companies that have facilities which use refrigeration and air-conditioning systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have to measure changes which are imposed upon them due to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionality is a measure which compares the level of emissions prior to implementation with the levels after a greenhouse gas reduction project has been introduced.

Additionality metrics are part of a monitoring and verification plan, which is set up when a greenhouse gas reduction project is underway. The metrics explain when and how the plan would be implemented as well as who is responsible for conducting the process. As this is a complicated area, software has been developed by specialists to simplify the procedure.

Prior to a greenhouse gas reduction project, facilities that use refrigerant undertake a project specific assessment, determining additionality. Current greenhouse gas emission levels are assessed, and once the project is underway, emission levels are then compared to the baseline. In this way, actual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated.

A performance standard assessment is used to determine additionality. Such an assessment is assessed for specific industries, like heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system or refrigeration and air conditioning system manufacturers. Measures show performance improvements as compared to existing standards for particular processes or appliances, in so far as they relate to the reduction of greenhouse gas.

As global climate change is significantly affected by greenhouse gas emissions, so additionality plays a very important role in determining a reduction project’s effectiveness. Many different industries and sectors are involved in greenhouse gas offset projects, for example, the methane capture and recovery projects in landfills, reforestation, and renewable energy efforts.

For businesses, it is important from an accounting standpoint to show the benefits of a greenhouse gas reduction program. In order for it to be a true emissions reduction, additionality criteria must be met. Ongoing monitoring and verification are key components to ensure actual reductions are real and have long-term sustainability. For facilities developing methods to reduce their use of refrigerant gas, automation of monitoring and tracking exists through software and web based applications developed by software providers who specialize in this area.

Part of any additionality equation is an examination of how permanent the project will be and a determination of any risk factors involved. The issue of leakage should be addressed and properly accounted for through monitoring and verification.

There is much discussion in the U.S. and other foreign countries as to whether funding should be made available to companies to enact programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, a benchmarking system and protocols for certain industry sectors are under development. Determination of funding would rely on additionality to show how the project goes well beyond business as usual improvements. For example, if a project would have occurred anyway as part of a business improvement, then funding credits would not be awarded.

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Food And Vitamins Cellulite Sufferers Should Take

Posted By El Bilson on @ 7:10 am
by El Bilson

Many women are starting to look into the kinds of food and vitamins cellulite sufferers need to take. The best way to get rid of cellulite for good is through changing your lifestyle habits. The results you desire can be achieved if you just have the necessary discipline. The reduction of cellulite as well as other skin improvements can be visible in as early as eight weeks. It takes a simple health program that is done on a regular basis.

GET YOUR VITAMINS

The stress of our daily routines can really take a toll on our bodies. Because of this, we need to take multivitamins to keep us going. Multivitamins contain most of the basic vitamins our bodies need to keep us healthy. Vitamins are also required for healthy skin.

Advanced research, however, have discovered the fact that taking multivitamins is no longer necessary, except for those going through certain medical problems. This is because the food we eat everyday already contains most of the vitamins and minerals that we need. By simply eating the right kinds of food all the time, one can get all the nutrients needed by the body. This can save you money that would have otherwise been wasted on vitamins cellulite aside.

Nevertheless, the result of these studies do not negate the fact that there are specific amounts of multivitamins that our bodies need. It can be hard to determine how much of each vitamin you are consuming from food.

Our skin is very susceptible to poor diet habits. Most dermatologists suggest taking between 1 to 6 grams of Vitamin C everyday and 400 IU of natural Vitamin E. These requirements may not be reached if you just rely on the food you eat. This is where taking multivitamins come in. The vitamins cellulite sufferers need to take may vary, so it’s important to consult your doctor.

EATING RIGHT

You are what you eat and What you sow is what you reap are just two of the common quotes we often hear. Cellulite is often a result of eating unhealthy foods on a regular basis. Often these habits are hard to break and thus we have trouble getting rid of cellulite.

Eating the right kinds of food can result in a healthier disposition overall, not just with your skin. Doctors recommend consuming plenty of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Foods with high contents of protein or fiber are also important for our bodies.

By taking a break from unhealthy foods, you give your body a chance to heal. Get rid of junk foods and go only for healthy options instead. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking a lot of water and fresh fruit juices. Drinking a lot of liquids helps in eliminating toxins from the body. You may also want to try a detox diet. This can help get rid of toxic build up in the body, especially if you have been eating healthy for a while and aren’t seeing any results.

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Skin Cancer Warning Signs

Posted By Matt Hellstrom on @ 6:45 am
by Matt Hellstrom

You need to know some warning signs that will allow you to detect early-stage skin cancers. You should be aware of any bodily changes that occur, especially if your moles and other skin discolorations begin to change. By paying close attention to any changes affecting your body, you increase your chances of early, accurate detection and successful treatment.

Any growth on your skin should be investigated by your doctor if it abruptly changes color, grows, or shrinks. If it is multi-colored, tan, brown, black, white, or translucent, this is especially important. Don’t dismiss any changes in your skin as begin unimportant. Skin cancer warning signs must be examined by a doctor and if cancer is indeed present, treated as soon as possible.

If you notice signs of skin cancer immediately contact a physician in order to treat the condition in its earliest stages. During a self examination you should focus on areas of your skin such as moles that have been present for a long time. A warning sign of skin cancer is change in color or shape of moles and pigmentation. You should always consult a physician before self-diagnosing skin cancer.

Keep an eye on wounds or cuts that will not heal. This is one of the early warning signs of cancer that should be watched. You most likely notice if you have a cut on your skin that is just not healing. Have your doctor take a look and if they feel there is a reason they will test for skin cancer.

Being aware of the signs of skin cancer is your responsibility and only you can monitor your own health. To ensure that you fight the battle against skin cancer, do everything you can to protect yourself including consulting a doctor and using sunscreen when outdoors.

The hottest part of the day is between 10am and 4pm, the time of day your skin is at its most sensitive. It makes good sense to always wear sunscreen and a hat if you must go out during these times.

To prevent skin cancer you should take the time to recognize the warning signs and wear sunblock. You should always be aware of any abnormal physical changes in your health to increase prevention of possible serious conditions.

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Get Six Pack Abs In The Fat Burning Zone

Posted By Jennifer King on @ 6:41 am
by Jason King

Your body must be continuously burning fat to get six pack abs. Because of the internet, along with some misconceptions, the fat burning zone is a dissimilar location for a number of exercise gurus and fitness fanatics.

Lets get two weight loss myths regarding where the fat burning zone is out of the way, and they are talked about below.

Myth 1. A myth that has been about for a long time now is your body begins burning fat after the first twenty minutes of a long cardio workout.

The reality is, your body is burning fat all the time to some extent, and if you’re doing long boring cardio for an hour the first 20 minutes will burn just as much fat as the last 20 providing you still have the same amount of energy at the end of the session. And that won’t be very much fat.

As you’re reading this article your body is burning fat, your body won’t just necessarily begin burning fat after 20 minutes of exercise. What would your body be doing for the first part of your cardio session if it wasn’t burning calories of some degree.

What probably happens is, the closing stages of an hour of exercising would begin burning muscle for fuel.

Myth 2. Your body burns fat when you do cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

When you first wake up in the morning the last thing your body needs is a cardio workout. Your body won’t burn any more fat in the morning than it will if you exercise in the afternoon. Once you have some carbs in your body you’ll have a much better workout than if you try to exercise on an empty stomach. Carbs give you energy so your workouts will become more intense. You need to build intensity into your workouts so your body burns fat after you’ve finished exercising.

If you want to get your body in the fat burning zone then you need to increase your muscle mass while using interval training. This will put your body in a fat burning state for 48 hours after you’ve finished exercising. If you’re body isn’t burning enough fat between your workouts then you’ll never see your abs.

Just 3 workouts a week will have your body completely transformed in 12 weeks. Some fitness fanatics do long tedious cardio workouts 6 days a week for months without success. This is for the simple reason they’ve haven’t in any way increaed their metabolic rate.

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Getting Rid Of Cellulite For Sexier Legs

Posted By Lynne Bridges on @ 6:06 am
by Lynne Bridges

Cellulite is a universal problem for everyone, but especially women. Women of all ages want to look their best, especially when it comes to having sexy legs. How, then, do you drop the cellulite and get your legs fit for showing off in skirts or swim suits?

Everyone wants instant gratification these days. We’re all too busy to wait. We want what we want and we want it now. Luckily, there are several things you can do right now to help you get rid of cellulite.

Diet and Cellulite:

One way to fight cellulite is to eat less fatty foods. After all, cellulite is, basically, dimpled skin caused by fat deposits. So, if you reduce the fatty foods you eat, you can get rid of cellulite.

Stay Hydrated:

Drinking plenty of water is vital, if you want your body to stay healthy. Lack of water can cause you to become tired and feel sick, as well as changing your whole metabolism. If you stay hydrated, on the other hand, you can eliminate waste better, and keep your skin healthier, reducing the risk of cellulite.

Cardio for Cellulite Removal:

Cardio exercises are great for cellulite removal. First of all, they help you shed unwanted fat. Second, though, they help you circulate your blood better. That, in turn, keeps you healthier and reduces cellulite.

Building Muscle:

No good cellulite burning routine would be complete without building muscle. By replacing fat that you bear with lean, firm muscles, you can give your legs a completely new look. As a result, you’ll look and feel much better.

The Cream of the Crop:

Another step that you could take is to find a cellulite cream. There are many creams out there. None of them are an immediate cure to all your cellulite problems, though. They just play a role in the process by hydrating and revitalizing your skin.

So, there are ways to try to combat cellulite on your own. You might not feel comfortable on your own, though. That’s perfectly fine. You can talk to a personal trainer for more advice on reducing cellulite. You could also ask advice from a nutritionist or your regular physician. The choice is yours.

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How Being Overweight Can Increase your Risk of Getting Gout

Posted By Yvonne Horner on @ 6:06 am
by Yvonne Horner

Gout sufferers tend to be overweight. A big contributing factor to this dilemma is a low quality diet. Many of the foods that overweight people eat tend to be high in purines. These foods are main contributors to not only weight gain, but also a gout attack.

Decreasing the amount of high purine foods are central to overcoming both obesity and hyperuricemia, the main risk factor in getting gout. High purine foods are usually loaded with unhealthy fat making if difficult to lose weight. Foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and bacon would be in these categories. It would be best to eliminate these foods altogether from your diet, but at the very least eat them in moderation.

Studies have shown that drinking several soda pops a day actually raises your chances for gout by up to fifty percent. This is partly due to the dehydrating effects of soda which makes your kidneys work harder. Proper renal function is critical to getting rid of gout as it helps excrete excess uric acid.

Diet sodas are not a good option if you drink regular soda. Diet pops can have a negative effect on losing weight. These seemingly helpful drinks make you hungrier and some health professionals actually think diet sodas are worse than drinking regular pop. Not to mention the chemicals used in diet drinks have been found in studies to increase your risk of cancer. Just don’t drink pop. Water is a much better alternative.

Drinking coffee can have useful benefits when trying to eliminate future gout symptoms. Even though coffee can dehydrate you, studies show that drinking four cups a day can reduce uric acid levels almost in half. Decaf works also in case caffeine use is a concern.

You don’t have to make wholesale changes all at once. In fact, this usually proves disastrous to long term health as most people quit due to the difficulty of making large lifestyle changes in a short time. A very easy goal to reach is one pound a week.

Lowering your risk for disease whether it is gout or heart disease can be accomplished if you take small steps. While you won’t see immediate improvement you will be more likely to keep on course to long term health. Your kidneys will reward you by working more productively which will reduce your risk of getting gout attacks.

Eating a healthy diet will not only help you in losing extra weight, but can help you get rid of gout. Many of the foods we take for granted such as most fruits, can actually help you beat the symptoms and causes of this painful arithritic disease.

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The many advantages of getting an online CPR Certification

Posted By Mike Duke on @ 6:04 am
by Mike Duke

The letters in CPR stand for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that combines mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compressions, and is used to revive people who went into cardiac arrest. If a person stops breathing, CPR can restore circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the brain and heart. Without oxygen, permanent brain damage or death can occur.

Knowing CPR and how to provide oxygen to the heart and brain can help save a heart attack victim. It can also be useful to people suffering from a stroke, accidents such as electrocution, a drug or alcohol overdose, a diabetic insulin shock, suffocation, drowning, choking, allergic reaction and other traumas from injuries. The list of situations CPR can be used for is endless.

Those individuals interested in learning CPR skills should sign up for an online course. The advantage of taking the course online instead of physically going to a school or organization is that you can conveniently study anywhere you want, even at home on the couch. If your employer would insist you take a CPR course, you could even study while at work.

With easy-to-follow instructions, online CPR course registration at cpraedcourse.com could not have been made any easier. Indeed, the members of the American Health Care Academy pride themselves for the straightforward instructions and the convenient payment options they provide. Students will have access to their study guide in no time.

The next step is to master the provided reading material and detailed video clips. Once that has been accomplished it will be time to take the online quiz. Those who pass the test will receive their CPR certification immediately. This document can then be printed and used right away. An original CPR certificate will be mailed soon thereafter. Students who failed do not have to panic. They can take the test again, at no additional charge.

CPR is most successful when administered as quickly as possible. It is one of the many facts CPR certification graduates have learned during their course. They will also know how to personally treat unconscious adults, children and infants, or how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if they have one available. Placing victims into a recovery position and preventing them from chocking will also be one of those lessons well learned.

Online CPR courses are designed to let you work at your own pace. Usually, the completion time for a course averages 1 to 3 hours. If you do not have that much time in one sitting, no problem! You can return to the course at anytime, and will have unlimited access to the training material for 60 days from the date of purchase.

One of the key reasons why online courses, such as those from the American Health Care Academy are as recognized as those taken in bricks and mortar classrooms is that the instructors are trained by the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. This means that the CPR certification of these graduates is also valid for 2 years from the date it was issued.

Many people go through life without knowing CPR. It is not a requirement, yet the knowledge could be quite beneficial in an emergency. Imagine you go hiking in the woods with a friend. You are far away from civilization, when he suddenly slips, bumps his head and stops breathing. How would you feel if you could not revive him? This is just one of the many examples illustrating that a few dollars, a little time and a CPR certification can go a long way.

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Dietary Supplements And Their Benefits

Posted By Julie Poundsign on @ 5:59 am
by Julie Poundsign

A general health or dietary supplement is a preparation, usually in the form of a tablet, powder or shake, developed in order to provide nutrition specific to that which your body is lacking, whether due to insufficient dietary nourishment, or a natural deficiency. Supplements can provide nutrients like minerals, vitamins, fatty acids or amino acids.

There is international disagreement as to whether these supplements fall under the category of food, or drugs. Supplements providing dietary minerals or vitamins are recognised by the UNs highest authority of food standards (the Codex Alimentarius Commission) as a food item.

Probably the most common type of supplement is protein, but there are many, what you might call sub-categories within protein. For example, whey isolates, which usually contain amino peptides for muscle growth & recovery, Taurine for improved energy output and L-Glutamine for recovery.

Bodybuilders often consume a powdered protein supplement, the essential tools for building muscle. Protein powder, generally speaking, is usually taken immediately before and after a workout, or instead of a meal. The theory behind taking this type of supplement is that having a regular intake of protein allows for optimum growth and repair of muscle tissue.

Whey proteins (as mentioned above) are the most commonly used kind of protein supplements. It gets absorbed into the body very quickly and provides you with high levels of all essential amino acids. Whey protein is a mixture of the globular proteins found in whey itself, which comes as a by-product of making cheese.

Another variety of protein is Casein (milk protein) and contains high levels of Glutamine, which helps recovery. Another substance Casein contains is casomorphin, which aids the body in soaking up amino acids over a longer period of time.

Soy Protein can also be concentrated into a supplement. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is a vegetarian alternative protein. Soybeans also contain isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen, which have a weak estrogenic activity, to enhance testosterone levels.

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