Archive for April, 2010

Heart Disease Treatments-Chocolate and Heart Health

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

All chocolate lovers will love this. Chocolate has been around for many centuries. Now, it also seems that cocoa (chocolate) has some great things in it that can help you develop a healthy heart.

I found this really neat article over at the Detroit Free News Press. Read it and then go out and enjoy that piece of dark chocolate. Your heart will thank you for it!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newsletter!

P.S. For more information about Vita Che, what I call the Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit this online nutrition store at http://699456.shopvitamark.com

Posted: April 25, 2010
HEART SMART (TM)
Chocolate has been good for centuries

BY DARLENE ZIMMERMAN
HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM
http://www.freep.com/article/20100425/FEATURES02/4250321/1025/Features/Chocolate-has-been-good-for-centuries

Chocolate originated as a drink before it became the creamy, rich treat we adore today. As far back as AD 250, the Maya ground cocoa seeds into a paste and mixed it with water, chili peppers, cornmeal and other ingredients to make a frothy, spicy, chocolate drink. It wasn’t until the 1800s that chocolate was enjoyed in the form of a candy bar.

Historically, cocoa played a part in culture, currency and medicine. Only elite members of society were allowed to drink the sacred cocoa beverages. Cocoa seeds were used to buy food and clothing. And chocolate was part of a treatment regimen for anemia, poor appetite, mental fatigue, fever, dysentery and diarrhea.

Chocolate and cocoa powder come from cocoa beans that grow in pods on the tropical Theobroma cacao tree found in southeast Asia, Africa, Hawaii, Brazil and other South American countries. After cocoa beans have been fermented, dried, roasted and ground, they are pressed into cocoa powder and cocoa butter.

Cocoa powder is a concentrated source of flavonoids. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, which gobble up toxic molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can damage body cells and tissues and may lead to health problems such as cancer, cataracts, arthritis and heart disease.

Cocoa powder is sold unsweetened. The richer, darker Dutch processed cocoa powder has been treated with alkaline compounds, which helps neutralize cocoa’s natural acidity. It is slightly darker in color and milder in flavor than natural cocoa. In today’s recipe we used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa, which is a blend of cocoa powder and Dutch processed cocoa powder.

HEART SMART is a registered trademark of the Henry Ford Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute. Darlene Zimmerman, MS, RD, is program contact; for questions about today’s recipe, call her at 313-972-1920, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.

Heart Disease and Women-5 Tips to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Broccoli Macro
Image by Johan J.Ingles-Le Nobel via Flickr
In the United States and other western countries, heart disease is increasing. With heart disease comes the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues. High blood pressure can also lead to heart problems down the road. Here are the top 5 ways to lower your blood pressure naturally whether you are a woman or a man.

Tip #1: Limit salt to 1,000 mg a day. Avoid foods with high sodium content such as canned soups, cereals, cheese, deli meats, etc. In other words, become an expert label reader,

Tip #2: Get 4.7 mg of potassium a day. Research has shown only 10% of men and 1% of women get adequate amounts. Potassium helps the kidneys in excreting sodium. Include in your diet tomatoes, baked potatoes with skin, and bananas,

Tip #3: Get 1,200 mg of calcium a day. This vitamin helps lower blood pressure. Low or non-fat yogurt, broccoli, etc. are good food sources for calcium.

Tip #4: Eat whole grains every day. In a recent study in which with more than 60,000 participants were studied from a 10-18 year period, those who included whole grains in their diet instead of refined carbohydrates significantly lowered their high blood pressure risk.

Tip #5: Reduce sugar intake. Eat no more than 6 teaspoons a day (i.e. 100 calories). High sugar levels can raise your blood pressure and triglycerides. In addition, too much sugar can increase your risk of obesity. Many people get much more than they need and the primary culprit is soft drinks.

These are easy things you can do every day to lower your blood pressure naturally and be heart healthy!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newsletter!

P.S. For more information about Vita Che, what I call the Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit this online nutrition store at http://699456.shopvitamark.com

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Heart Disease Treatments-These Foods Lower Cholesterol

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

One of the easiest heart disease treatments is work on actively lowering your cholesterol. High cholesterol many times can lead to heart disease. Therefore, it is very important that we pay close attention to what we put in our mouths.

The following article covers a list of foods that will naturally lower your cholesterol levels. The best thing: no medication needed!

A List of Foods That Lower Cholesterol – If You Have High Cholesterol This List is a Must By Rob D. Hawkins

You really don’t have to travel to a far away land filled with danger and intrigue, armed with a treasure map borrowed from the national archives to compile a list of foods that lower cholesterol. Everything you need to put a whipping on high cholesterol levels can be found at your local grocery store or super market. Not quite as sexy, but every bit as effective. But first we should examine what we are trying to avoid, when visiting our local grocery store filled with crazed shoppers armed with very large buggies with at least one bad wheel.

The two fats we will need to avoid are saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fat could easily go by the alias of big and fat! These fats are solid at room temperature. All meat contains some saturated fat with the well marbled variety winning the gold star for artery clogging prowess. Saturated fat can also be found in abundance in butter, cream, and cheese. Needless to say none of these foods will make it on our list of foods that lower cholesterol.

Our next really dangerous villain goes by the name trans fatty acid but his friends simply call him trans fat. These fats are made in the hydrogenation process that solidifies liquid oils for use in preparation of many food products. Trans fatty acid can be found in such family party favorites as cookies, doughnuts, and crackers. As you may have guessed these food will be left of our list of foods that lower cholesterol as well.

You probably wonder how we can compile a list of delicious foods now that all the fun stuff has been eliminated. It may not be as difficult as you think.

*Fish: Not any fish will do! While the aquarium fish may be appealing for your cat they will not do much for your cholesterol. On the other hand cold water fatty fish high in omega 3 oils raise good cholesterol (HDL) and decrease triglycerides (fatty material that circulates in the blood). Salmon, herring, and mackerel are all very good sources.

*Fruits and Vegetables: How many times do I have to tell you to eat your fruits and vegetables? I’m sure you heard it growing up at least a million times, right! Fruits and vegetables only contain tiny amounts of fat, and most it is unsaturated. Avocados, apples, pears, pomegranates, and blueberries all make our list of foods that lower cholesterol.

*Nuts: Studies from both Loma Linda University and Penn State University confirm that certain nuts do indeed lower cholesterol. Omega 3 fats and antioxidants found in nuts lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) while working to reverse prior arterial damage caused by saturated fat. Some heart healthy favorites are walnuts and almonds.

*Give me Olive Oil: No, not the rail thin cartoon character but instead the kind that comes in a bottle that you can find on isle 5 in your grocery store. Studies show olive oil lowers bad cholesterol while leaving good cholesterol undisturbed.

Well, there you have it our list of foods that lower cholesterol. Nothing real fancy but the above foods will positively give you an excellent foundation to build your low cholesterol diet around. Additionally, many natural health minded individuals have found that by combining smart diet choices with natural cholesterol reducing remedies they have been able to jump start their cholesterol reducing program. Natural cholesterol reducing remedies are a safe and effective alternative to hard to manage statin drugs and are certainly a natural option worth learning more about.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of safe and effective high quality alternative health products and natural living, with over 10 years experience in the field. Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at http://www.Purchase Remedies.com

These foods will call for a lifestyle change for some. However, the sacrifice is necessary if you want to keep a healthy heart!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!

P.S. For more information about Vita Che, what I call the Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit this online nutrition store at http://699456.shopvitamark.com

I love Go Casino Blackjack

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

An Easy Way to Turn into a Good Blackjack Player

Discovering to engage in the game of casino Blackjack reasonably properly isn’t rocket science, regardless of what the dozens of books about the subject would have you believe.

Actively playing professionally for the expert level, as is accurate of any game, is indeed complex and takes many years to excellent. But any individual can grow to be a fantastic recreational player and use a fighting possibility towards the casino basically by discovering some very simple rules.

So, if you are worn out of throwing all your funds away on brain-numbing slot machines, study on!

Blackjack could be as rather simple or as complicated while you desire to make it. Utilizing greeting card counting and innovative methods, you’ll be able to in actual fact have a slight benefit above the house in specific problems. That is, if you are willing to spend numerous hours figuring out and practicing, plus numerous hours just about every year actively playing!

Only a handful of of us have this type of dedication.

The “beginner strategy” described under is created for some of those of you who’ve by no means played Blackjack before or have played only a few times (and are worn out of losing!). It requires that you study only four simple recommendations. You can still memorize these guidelines in 30 minutes or much less.

Properly, definitely, a lot of less!

You may have heard for the term “Blackjack important strategy”. The Blackjack primary system is usually a set of betting and hit/stand guidelines to statistically maximize your chances of winning. Whilst not complex, it’ll nevertheless consider some time and quite a bit of training to master and apply consistently.

For beginners, or rather occasional game enthusiasts who tend not to want to devote several hours practicing the Blackjack basic methodology, right here is really a Newbie System that won’t offer you a headache attempting to master.

When this is not going to provide you with the same small odds towards you since the accurate Blackjack Primary Scheme (about .5%), it generates a minimal 1.5% or so edge for the casino, still one particular of the best odds you’ll discover in any casino game.

You won’t shed your shirt and you will have a fighting possibility of winning if you experience a favorable run of charge cards.

It should only acquire a number of minutes to master these 4 effortless Blackjack suggestions, although you must training for a couple of hours to obtain comfy with them just before definitely playing in a casino game.

Very first, A SHORT AND Uncomplicated LESSON Over the GAME Suggestions

For those who currently know the way to engage in Blackjack, it is easy to skip this section. Otherwise, it’s going to only consider a number of minutes to find out the rather simple actively playing guidelines.

Greeting card VALUES

Tens and encounter credit cards be counted as 10, Aces be counted as possibly one or 11 (your preference), and all other cards have a very count equal to their face value.

THE Play

All game enthusiasts engage in against the supplier, not towards an individual an additional. Each player makes their guess as well as the company starts out by dealing two handmade cards to every single player and two homemade cards to himself. The dealer’s second greeting card is dealt face-up for all players to see. Should the trader carries a “Blackjack” (and Ace plus a ten or face card), he will immediately turn it above and instantly wins all bets, unless a player also incorporates a Blackjack, in which situation it really is a tie.

Then, beginning with all the player to the dealer’s left, every single player has the option of standing (not drawing any way more cards) or being dealt extra homemade cards. Play continues with that player till the player stands or “busts” (gets a card count that totals more than 21). Following all gamers have made their choices (or busted), the vendor draws increased cards to either reach a total of 17 or greater (when they have got to instantly stop), or bust. If the seller doesn’t bust, all remaining player’s hands having a higher card complete win, and many using a reduced card total get rid of.

One especially essential point to remember is this: you goal isn’t to have a greeting card count as close to 21 as achievable, but for getting closer to 21 than the vendor, without having intending around. The objective is to beat the trader! Therefore, your decisions on whether or not draw extra handmade cards are dependent about the value from the dealer’s up card.

Engage in Blackjack in Go Casino and Claim $20,000.00 Authentic Casino bonus!

DOUBLING Straight down, SPLITTING PAIRS AND Insurance plan

You’ll find three unique bets it is easy to make right after the to start with two greeting cards are dealt. Doubling lower suggests you can actually double your unique gamble soon after you obtain your primary two cards. You then obtain one – and only a – further greeting card.

Splitting pairs implies that whenever you acquire any pair on your earliest two charge cards, you may split them into two separate hands and perform each one an individual independently (of course, you ought to location an additional wager equal for your primary gamble for the 2nd hands).

Getting insurance plan signifies that in case the dealer’s up card is definitely an Ace, you are able to wager an increased amount equal to half your authentic guess as “insurance” in situation the supplier incorporates a blackjack. If the dealer incorporates a blackjack, you drop your unique wager but your insurance cover wager is paid at a couple of to 1, so you break even.

“HARD HANDS” VERSUS “SOFT HANDS”

In order to understand and apply any Blackjack technique, you need to gain knowledge of the distinction in between “hard” and “soft” hands. This is simply because the strategies for many plays are several depending on whether or not you employ a smooth palm or perhaps a tricky hand.

A “soft” hands is only one that has an Ace which can be counted as 11 (don’t forget: Aces may be counted as possibly an individual or 11). For example, a hands composed of an Ace including a four is named a delicate 15.

A hand that possibly includes no Aces or the Ace is counted as the one is labeled as a “hard” palm. For example, a hands composed of the 6 and also a 9 is known as a really hard 15. A hands with an Ace and 4 is referred to as a delicate 15 (11 and also 4), but at any time you then draw an 8 you need to count the Ace as one instead of 11, giving you a very difficult 13 (since counting it as 11 would offer you a “bust” hands of 23).

4 Hassle-free Suggestions

Here are 4 Blackjack general technique guidelines that anybody can effortlessly don’t forget. Always adhere to them exactly and you’ll be playing greater then the majority of individuals who sit down at a blackjack table.

Despite the fact that these four rules do not represent “perfect” Blackjack standard technique, they offer you a superb deal of your advantage of a great standard technique and are extremely simple and easy to memorize.

1. If the dealer’s up card is 7 or bigger, continue to draw credit cards till you use a really difficult be counted of no less than 17 or higher, or a smooth be counted of 18 or larger.

2. If the dealer’s up greeting card is 6 or reduced, draw notes till you possess at least 12. Stop if you have 12 or better.

three. Double lower when your very first two notes total 10 or 11, In the event the dealer carries a 9 or lower.

4. Always split aces and eights. Don’t split any other pairs.

And which is it! These four easy principles will acquire you out with the “sucker” category, maintain you out of serious trouble and ensure that the property edge is all around one.5% or so – some of the most beneficial odds you will get in the casino.

The moment you’ve mastered this uncomplicated strategy, learn about the full Blackjack Simple Technique and you will whittle that house edge down to practically zero. Perfect luck!

Engage in Blackjack in Go Casino and Claim $20,000.00 Authentic Casino bonus!

Heart Disease Treatments-Why The Good Life Is Killing You

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

I had to share with you this wonderful program I feel can change your life. If you are someone who is longing to do any of these things:

-lose weight without dieting
-feel more energy
-stop heart disease and stroke
-turn around diabetes
-lower your cholesterol
-lower depression
-reverese high blood pressure

CHIP can help. What is CHIP? It is the Coronary Health Improvement Product. The program helps you to begin to take control of your life and begin living. Plus, at the same time if you follow the principles taught, you can lower your health costs and take control of your life that way you have always longed to.

This program isn’t new. It has been around since 1988 and has graduated 50,000 participants since that time. What you would need to do is sign up with a training class in your local area.

If you are intrigued by this, you can visit the website at http://www.chiphealth.com/ for more information.

To receive your free cd entitled, “Why The Good Life Is Killing Us”, call 1-618-627-4651

To grab your free copy of the “CHIP Prescription for Health” visit http://www.chiphealth.com/about_chip/index.php

I look forward to hearing how CHIP has worked for you!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!

P.S. Vita Che is the ultimate Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit http://699456.shopvitamark.com

Heart Disease Treatments-How To Keep A Healthy Heart

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

The leading cause of death among North Americans continues to be cardiovascular disease. As lifestyle factors play such a major role in heart disease, it is important to understands some aspects of the disease and what you can do to prevent it.

The heart is a muscle in the body that like all muscles needs its own supply of blood in order to function. Working properly, it then pumps blood through the circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body and removing wastes such as carbon dioxide.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Heart disease begins in many when plaque begins to build up in the arteries. This causes the arteries to become narrow thereby restricting the blood flow through them. As the blood flow is reduced, the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart is reduced. This tends to create pains in the chest, called angina. Heart attacks result when the blood flow to the heart is totally blocked.

Diets low in fat, high in fiber coming mainly from fruit and vegetables help the body respond to CAD. Omega-3 oils found in foods like cold water fish and flax seeds are of benefit for a healthy heart, as they are felt to inhibit the blood from becoming ‘sticky’ thereby limiting the likelihood of clots forming and may slow down the process of plaque formation. In addition, regular exercise and stress reduction are also beneficial.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Congestive heart failure and related forms of heart failure affect over five million North Americans. It is a condition in which the heart cannot adequately supply the body’s other organs with blood. While a serious condition, the word failure does not mean that the heart stops beating.

As the pumping action of the heart is decreased, the blood does not move efficiently through the circulatory system and starts to back up, which then causes an increase of pressure in the blood vessels, and forces fluid from the vessels into body tissue. When the left side of the heart starts to fail, fluid tends to collect in the lungs, while when the right side starts to fail, fluid tends to collect in the feet and lower legs.

People with congestive heart failure tend to tire easily, have shortness of breath and can experience fluid retention and swelling. Diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea are commonly associated with CHF.

As with CAD a low fat, high fiber diet is recommended along with treatment for associated diseases. CoQ-10, a powerful antioxidant, has been clinically shown to be of benefit to CHF patients. Though exercise may be difficult for people with CHF, it would still be of benefit and therefore one should consult with their health professional to determine what the possibilities might be.

High Blood Pressure

As a leading cause of heart disease, high blood pressure, often called hypertension, is a condition in which too much pressure is being exerted on the walls of the arteries. Called ‘the silent killer’ high blood pressure can be present without a person experiencing any apparent symptoms.

In about 90% of high blood pressure cases an associated cause is not known. This is defined as primary hypertension. If it results from another disease or condition, it is called secondary hypertension and often returns to normal when the originating cause is treated.

There are some factors that though not causes, are often associated with high blood pressure such as: CAD as previously discussed, arteriosclerosis which is hardening of the arteries, imbalances in organs such as the kidneys, lungs and liver, obesity, lack of exercise, sodium (salt) sensitivity, alcohol consumption, and various pharmaceutical drugs. (Note this is not a comprehensive list.)

Once again a heart-healthy diet containing plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish, while low in saturated fats, salt and sugar is recommended for people with high blood pressure. As exercise helps lower blood pressure a regular exercise routine should become part of the daily routine.

Chickpeas, beans, soy products, proteins found in garlic, and other antioxidants such as bilberry help improve lipids in the blood and lower cholesterol. Avocados and nuts have been shown to boost your ‘good’ cholesterol.

Finally, a heart-healthy lifestyle will limit the amount of alcohol consumed as it has been shown to have an affect on cholesterol levels. It is recommended that women consume no more than one drink per day and men no more than two. Smoking has also been linked to heart disease, so the sooner a person can quit the better.

To Your Success,

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!

P.S. Vita Che is the ultimate Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit http://699456.shopvitamark.com