10 Foods You Should be Eating

When it comes to weight loss or maintaining a healthy body weight, exercise alone is not enough. A balanced diet made up of real, unprocessed foods like lean protein, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats are an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. With all of the time that goes into preparing healthy meals and energy spent at the gym, wouldn't it be nice if you could burn more calories just by choosing the right foods? Well there is good news in the battle against an expanding waistline. Consuming certain foods can actually boost your metabolism just by eating!  So, grab a fork and any one of these 10 foods to get more bang for your bite.

Cayenne Pepper. 
As well as other peppers like jalapenos and habaneros, cayenne peppers produce body heat and increase the heart rate, increasing lipid oxidation resulting in the burning of fat for energy. Studies have shown that these peppers can also decrease appetite and slows the growth of fat cells.

Cinnamon. 
Adding this spice to your coffee, tea, or snacks adds flavor and has been found to lower blood sugar levels. 

Ginger. 
Best in its raw form, ginger is known to increase metabolic function, suppress the appetite, and improve digestion by relieving an upset stomach.

Citrus Fruits.
Lemons, limes, and citrus fruits add fiber, flavor, and vitamin C to your diet without extra calories. You'll feel fuller longer and your blood sugar will be better regulated throughout the day.  

Berries and Apples.
Packed with pectin, quercetin, vitamin C, and malic acid, these fruits regulate energy levels. Because they are water based and high in fiber they also help satisfy your appetite.  

Wild Salmon. 
Fresh wild salmon--not farmed raised--contain essential fatty acids, a key nutrient for overall health.


Garlic. 
Adding a few cloves of garlic to your meal has been linked to lower blood sugar levels.

Green Tea.
EGCG, a chemical in green tea revs, up the heart, metabolism, and fat-burning abilities. Catechins, the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, are known to increase metabolism.

Raw Almonds. 
Snacking on a handful of raw almonds will help build muscle and keep you full with loads of protein, fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium.
Eggs. Full of vitamin B12, protein, and animo acids, eggs help build muscle and burn fat. 



When trying to lose weight the worst thing you can do is starve yourself.  Eating less and working out more will result in an energy crash and overeating.  Shed any unwanted pounds by eating more fat burning foods that will fuel your body and energize your life. 

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/the-10-foods-you-should-definitely-be-eating.html

Healthy Late Night Snacks

Healthy snacks must be included in your daily eating habits if you want to stick to a healthy eating plan. You may not notice it but your healthy eating plan may be jeopardized when it comes to choosing your late night snacks.

You may stay up most nights because your work demands it or because of a good book or a television program. Whatever the reason may be, staying up late may also mean that you will get a craving for a late night snack once you hear your stomach growling.

Reasons For Late Night Food Cravings

There are many reasons why you may get a food craving in the middle of the night.

Dehydration is one of the main reasons of late night food cravings and hunger
It could derive from boredom
You could be genuinely hungry because of an early dinner
You suffer from low salt or sugar levels
Lack of protein in your body
For any of the reasons stated, your hunger needs to be satisfied nonetheless and a healthy snack is what you should grab instead of unhealthy junk foods.

Choose Healthy Snacks

Try to think about what you should eat rather than what you want to eat on your way to the kitchen. Junk foods tend to make you feel guilty afterward because you consume unwanted calories. It may satisfy your craving for the time being, but it will leave you feeling remorseful. Late night snacking may contribute to weight gain. Furthermore, junk foods may prevent you from getting proper sleep.

Since dehydration is one of the main reasons for food cravings, drink some water first when you feel hungry in the middle of the night. If you are dehydrated then the water will satisfy the hunger you are feeling. Avoid drinking coffee or any beverages that contain caffeine. If drinking water still leaves you hungry, go to the kitchen and prepare yourself some healthy snacks.

Protein-Rich Late Night Snacks

Choosing protein-rich foods for late night snacks is better for you than foods that have high contents of carbohydrates. Small servings of protein-rich foods will make you feel full longer. Some of the protein-rich snacks you may consider are:

Protein or granola bars
Egg rolls
A mixture of fresh fruits
A cup of yogurt
Crackers and cheese
Other great late night snacks ideas are:

Veggie sticks with yogurt dips
A bowl of cereal with skimmed milk
A cup of hot chocolate
A nutritious sandwich

One way to be prepared for late night hunger or food cravings is to set up a small space in your kitchen or refrigerator specifically for late night snacks. You can prepare in advance your healthy snacks during the day so that when your cravings for snacks kick in late at night, it is a sure bet that what you will grab is a healthy snack.

Clean Towels

Over time, and with many washes, your bath towels will build up detergent and fabric softener residue,

leaving them both unable to absorb as much water and smelling kinda funky when they do. Rather than give

Target another lump sum, run them through the wash once with hot water and a cup of vinegar, then again

with hot water and a half-cup of baking soda. That strips the residue from them, leaves them smelling fairly

fresh again.

Fly Control

Outdoor use.

Flies HATE pine-sol.

Mix it with water, about 50/50 and put it in a spray bottle.

Use to wipe counters or spray on the porch and patio table and furniture.

Drive them away!

Alcohol Bug Killer

Use alcohol in a spray bottle to kill bugs in your home instead of the toxic stuff in the can.

Alcohol dries clean with no oily residue and is more effective than the bug sprays you'd buy in the store.

Try it, you'll be amazed.

Natural Spider Prevention

Keep this in mind if you start seeing lots of spiders around your place.

Natural spider killer or preventer...

• one cup of vingar 
• one cup of pepper 
• a teaspoon of oil 
• liquid soap. 

Put it into a spray bottle and spray along the outside of your outside door and along windows

BAKING SODA BLACKHEAD REMOVER

Why It Works:

This gentle, quick facial uses baking soda’s acid-neutralizing alkalinity and milk’s lactic acid to clear out pores and lightly exfoliate.


After years of store-bought lotions and potions, this seemed almost too simple to work — but it did.

You’ll Need:

- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup milk

What to Do: 

Mix all the ingredients together. Rub into blackhead-prone areas using a soft makeup sponge. Rinse and repeat if needed.

CHOCOLATE FACE MASK

Why It Works:

Cocoa’s natural antioxidants help clear out skin stressors that can make skin look older.

You Have Been Warned:

It smells so good you may want to eat the leftovers.

You’ll Need:

• - 1/3 cup natural cocoa powder (no sugar added)
• - 2 tbsp heavy cream
• - 2 tsp cottage cheese
• - 3 tsp honey

What to Do:

Mix everything together in a large bowl.

Apply to dampened skin and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes.

Rinse with warm water. Can be used once a week.

COFFEE SCRUB

Why It Works: 

Most pricey cellulite treatments use caffeine to promote circulation, deep-cleanse pores and act as a diuretic by removing excess water from your dermis. Our version uses the same stimulators — but with ingredients usually reserved for your morning cup of joe.

You Have Been Warned:

Like the store-bought potions, this is not a scientifically vetted treatment. But the stimulating massage should help soften skin and could smooth out fatty areas.

You’ll Need:

• - 1 cup fresh-ground coffee
• - 1/2 cup brown sugar
• - 1/2 cup salt
• - 1/2 cup coconut oil

What to Do: 

Mix all the ingredients.

Massage into thighs, butt and other areas prone to, sigh, the cottage cheese effect for five minutes in a circular motion.

Rinse when finished. Repeat three to five times per week.

BEER HAIR RINSE

Why It Works: The nutrients in hops add strength and shine to hair.

You Have Been Warned: Don’t try this treatment before a big event — Does not have the best smell.

 You’ll Need:

• - 1/4 cup water
• - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• - 1/4 cup beer

What to Do: Mix together and use as a final rinse after conditioning, rinsing completely with warm water. Repeat every seven to 10 days.

AVOCADO FOOT SCRUB

Why It Works: A ground avocado pit is abrasive enough to break down calluses, while the fruit’s rich flesh contains essential oils that nourish skin.

 You’ve Been Warned: This recipe takes time to prepare, but the results are worth it.

 What You’ll Need:

• - 2 avocados (one for pit, and one ripe one for fruit)
• - 1/4 cup cornmeal
• - 1 tbsp sea salt

 What to Do: Dry out an avocado pit for a few days, then break it into several pieces with a hammer or cooking mallet. In a spice mill, coffee grinder or food processor, grind down the pit to make a gritty meal.

Scoop out second avocado and place skin aside. Mash the avocado fruit with the cornmeal, 1/4 cup of ground avocado pit and sea salt.

Gently massage the mixture into your feet in a circular motion, starting with the toes and working up to the ankles. Rinse with warm water.

Finally, take the inside of the avocado skin and rub the heel and any other callused areas. Your skin will look green at first (don’t worry, it won’t stain). Keep massaging for five to 10 minutes or until it no longer feels abrasive. Do not rinse off until your next shower.

HONEY LEMON MASK

Why It Works: Lemon’s citric acid closes pores and keeps skin’s PH levels in check, while honey’s enzymes and nutrients add an antibacterial factor to zap zits and moisturize.


You’ve been warned: There’s a serious sticky factor, so make sure your hair is tightly pulled back.

What You’ll Need:

• - 1 tbsp organic honey
• - 1 fresh lemon

What To Do: Squeeze the juice from the lemon and remove any seeds. Mix in honey and apply to damp face. Massage into skin for several minutes, then rinse with warm water.