Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Sugar Substitutes - Are they Safe?

Are Sugar Substitutes Safe?


When you are trying to lose weight, studies show that diet is the most important factor. Of the many diets out there, after you finish your "diet" - you will want to modify your eating habits in a way that you can maintain them for the long term.

Which is the best non-sugar sweetener?

Are you going to stay away from sugar forever? Unless you don't like sweets, probably not. However, people are using sugar substitutes in everything from coffee, soda to their baking.  The question is: Are sugar substitutes safe for you?

Let's consider a few of the different alternative sweeteners or sugar substitutes:
Honey
Agave Nectar
Aspartame or Nutrasweet
Sucralose or Splenda
Stevia
Zsweet
Just Like Sugar
Sweet and Slender
Erythritol
Xylitol
Corn Syrup

The sugar substitutes all differ in their safety, calories, taste, ability for baking. We have tried all of these sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners.
On the good list, the following sweeteners are safe but have different advantages and disadvantages:
Agave Nectar
Just Like Sugar
Xylitol
Erythritol
Stevia
Honey

On the bad list, sugar substitutes that are not good for you and research shows they are not safe and have detrimental effect on the brain or other physiological functions.
Aspartame
Splenda or Sucralose
Corn Syrup is now renamed Corn sugar to throw you off the track of how bad it is.

A couple of the sugar substitutes that we need more information on are
Zsweet which we think is good but haven't found conclusive information on this.
Truvia - created by one of the big corporations as a re-engineered stevia based product - we are very skeptical of Truvia and Purevia. Why use fake re-designed stevia. Pure natural stevia leaf is your best bet if you want to use a stevia product.
Sweet and Slender - a product that has zero calories, it combines a chinese ultrasweet fruit and fructose. We need more information but the taste is good and the ingredients initially are interesting.

Which sugar substitutes either natural or artificial do you use and which are you concerned about the safety of?

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Detox Diet Recipes from Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow Detox Diet Recipes


If you are looking for Detox Diet Recipes, check out these healthy and nutritious detoxification recipes from celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow.
Gwyneth Paltrow has made headlines for getting into the best shape of her life after having had two babies by working with celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson and her sometimes detox diets.

 Whether you need to lose weight for an event, are having trouble losing post-pregnancy weight or just want to slim down - check out these recipes provided by Gwyneth Paltrow for losing weight quickly but in a healthy and natural way without starving yourself.

Although she provided quite a few recipes, one for a ginger sesame salad, a broccoli and arugula soup and more - she also offers some easy to make delicious steamed salmon, protein and green shakes and more. I will include a few of Gwyneth's recipes here to help with your diet or detox plan. Gwyneth enjoys food and likes to be able to eat what she wants so usually she enjoys all different foods but works out using the Tracy Anderson method of dance cardio and strength training each day. However, if she needs to get in shape quickly, drop weight fast for a film or red carpet appearance - she uses a quick detox diet with recipes like these or she often uses the Clean program nourish and move powders in shakes during a detox.

Detox Teriyaki Chicken
She says this sauce for the chicken is detox worthy because it doesn't use sugar or soy but has tons of flavor and the perfect consistency
Serves:1
Time: 20 minutes + time for marinating
Teriyaki Sauce:
1/3 c balsamic vinegar
1/3 c agave nectar
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp barley miso
1 tsp mirin
1 Tbsp water
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Combine balsamic, agave, ginger and peper in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Cool, then add miso, mirin and water.
Chicken:
1 chicken breast
1 finely chopped scallion
Detox terriyai sauce
4 sprigs cilantro, roughly chopped
Marinate the chicken in the sauce (reserve a spoonful or two) for at least an hour to overnight.
Heat your grill to medium heat. Wipe off excess marinade and grill chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Serve with the reserved sauce (that hasn't touched the raw chicken) and the scallions and cilantro.

Blueberry and Almond Smoothie
You could use any fruit for this to make it your favorite fruit smoothie. You can substitute the almond milk with rice milk or coconut milk too - there is a lot of freedom for this detox recipe.
Serves: 1
Time: 5 minutes
1 scoop of complete nutritional whey (you can use any whey protein powder - we recommend Energy First protein powder that is low in calories, high in protein and made with stevia and no artificial junk or sweeteners)
1 scoop of a progreens type of powder - you could also use hemp protein powder but preferably a greens powder with probiotics
1/2 cup blueberries or other fruit
1 1/2 cups almond milk
Blend everything together in the blender until smooth

Gwyneth Paltrow's Super Greens Juice
Serves: 1
Time: 5 minutes
1 cup tightly packed kale
4 stalks celery
1" piece of fresh ginger
1 1/2 pears cut into large pieces
1/2 lemon, zest and pith removed
Juice everything into a glass (make sure to alternate the kale with other ingredients to help it get through the juicer easily.) Stir the juice before you drink it.

Because you will need lots of vitamins and nutrients during your diet and detox no matter what diet or weight loss plan you are doing, it is great to have vitamin rich smoothies, shakes and drinks that you can make at home.

Beet Carrot Apple and Ginger Juice
If you want a vibrant juice that has bright color and is wonderfully sweet, try this rich juice. Beets are good for lowering blood pressure, carrots are full of vitamins and apples are said to help fight cancer. Ginger also has health benefits.
Serves: 1
Time: 5 minutes
1 large or 2 medium beets, cut into wedges
2 large carrots
1 large apple, cut into wedges
1/2 lemon, zest and pith removed
1" piece of ginger
Juice everything into a glass -stir and enjoy. You could also put all of these in a blender with some ice and water for a beet carrot ginger smoothie.

Detoxing your body can be very healthy but it is important to make sure you are getting enough nutrients. Follow Gwyneth Paltrow's lead and try her healthy delicious and nutritious smoothies and detox diet recipes.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Adriana Lima: No Carb Diet + 2 Hour Workouts + Metagenics

Adriana Lima Metagenics Shakes and No Carb Diet Plan


Adriana Lima, Victoria's Secret Angel supermodel and gorgeous new mom tells bloggers the honest truth about how she loses weight to prepare for the Victoria's Secret show. Usually models always give the same story about how the weight just "melted off" after they gave birth or how it was breastfeeding, a little bit of yoga and taking care of the baby that helped them lose weight. Unfortunately, this weight loss advice is generally not helpful, and sometimes not believable.

We at How to Lose Weight Fast and Easy love women who are forthright about the work they put in to lose weight. It isn't always easy, it isn't always a few yoga classes, it isn't "I eat whatever I want". Sometimes, well, usually - weight loss takes effort and there is nothing wrong with admitting that you put a little effort into getting back into shape after having a baby. And who doesn't want a body like Adriana Lima's?

In a recent lunch meeting with bloggers and press members including NY magazine which is where we found this fantastic information, beautiful model Adriana Lima talked about her weight loss strategy to get in her tip top supermodel shape for her upcoming runway shows. Lima said that she eats almost zero carbs, does 2 hour workouts daily and has various protein shakes by Metagenics throughout the day. She says she feels great as the Metagenics supplements give her energy and the lack of chocolate and sugar help her avoid a "puffy" feeling that she says she has when she does eat them. That is doubtful but it is refreshing to hear just the same.

Adriana Lima's workouts consist of jumping rope, boxing and strength training exercises that involve using her own body weight rather than weights or machines. She varies her workouts all the time, most likely with a trainer to keep them interesting and exciting. Two hours a day, six days a week is a big commitment but that is what it takes to get a hot body like Adriana Lima.

 The supermodel's diet consists of green vegetables everything grilled or steamed and 4 oz protein portions in addition to the Metagenics drinks and cereal bars for protein between meals.
This is her overdrive diet that she follows strictly in the six weeks or so leading up to the big annual show.
Lima recommends jumping rope as an easy, intense exercise you can take anywhere. If you are traveling, jumping rope is the best exercise as you can take the jump rope with you and it doesn't take up much space in your luggage. Everyone knows how to do it and it helps you burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time. You don't need to do anything fancy - just do it and you'll lose weight.

If you want to get in supermodel shape like Adriana Lima - consider following her diet and workout plan.  No carb diet, two hour workout 6 days a week and Metagenics protein shakes and bars. Consult your doctor as Lima does during her diet to make sure you are in great shape and getting the nutrients you need.
Hope you enjoyed Adriana Lima's diet and workout tips - have you tried her Metagenics, no carb diet?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Sexy Halloween Costume Ideas

Sexy Halloween Costumes – Last Minute Halloween Costumes


If you are looking for cheap Halloween costumes with sex appeal, keep reading. This is off the normal topic of this site but I came across this site Ami with major deals on cool original Halloween costumes, discount boots, trendy accessories and anything else you could need to pull together the ultimate Halloween costume.

The blog covers looking great, so why not look amazing on Halloween and beyond. If you need a last minute Halloween costume now with quick shipping – get it here.

Here are some of the awesome super sexy costume ideas you can get at Ami.
Classic Sexy Costume Ideas – Good girls gone bad

French Maid costume – it’s been done before and will be done again, but the French maid is always a sexy costume for Halloween. Black and white and fluff all over.

Sexy Cop or police officer – the juxtaposition of bad girl and good, the policewoman costume is a favorite every year – be the hottest cop on the block with a couple of different cop costume looks. In vinyl, either a black minidress with capped sleeves or a black vinyl jumper style police officer outfit – the cop hat completes the look

Sexy Pirate costume – everyone loves a wench or a pirate maiden. This feminine costume oozes appeal with a ruffled mini and an off the shoulder flowing blouson. Naturally the pirate hat is essential.
Naughty nurse costume – a nurse or doctor’s aide costume is always fun. There are a few different options on the site to suit your body type even a black vinyl look bad nurse costume in contrast to the more traditional white and red naughty nurse costume combos. There are adorable sexy sweet pink nurse costumes with garters, medical crosses and a perfect fit for curves.

Cheerleader – Halloween wouldn’t be complete without the sexy cheerleaders showing their spirit and some skin.

Hot vampire costumes – check out the elaborate and gorgeous vampire costumes. With the popularity of True Blood and Twilight – you can be sure some sexy vixens will be getting in touch with their vampire side. In super sexy body conscious silhouettes, the girl vampire costumes are dangerously hot.

Naughty schoolgirls – another classic Halloween costume represented well by Britney Spears a decade ago is the school girl costume. This one of course is super short and shows off the body. There are several versions – the study date costume for the more demure, the classic playboy girl co-ed cutie looks, the naughty principal and the hot schoolgirl tease costume.

Indian and Native American Princess costumes – don’t think the Indian costume can’t be sexy – the Cherokee warrior princess costume is one of the sexiest for the earthy, natural girl. For a little more coverage a native American sweetie costume or Indian Maiden costume still offers a fun costume with a little more coverage.

You’ll also find the following:
Sailor costumes for girls – tons of options from demure to pin-up to super sexy
Plus size sailor costumes
Super sexy plus size costumes – French maids, pirates, sailors and tons more
Sexy prisoner costumes
Pimp costumes
Witch costumes – from sexy to classic – lots of original ideas
Disco costumes
Sexy Minnie Mouse Costume
Sexy Alice in wonderland outfit
Swiss miss
Race Car driver costume – sexy racecar driver looks
Tons of police costumes – cheap and sexy police girl costumes
Cowgirl – yee haw – time to dress like a sexy cow girl
Queen of the Nile
Mobster Moll – and mafia princess costumes
Sexy Marie Antoinette costume
Army and sexy officer – lieutenant and camo costumes
Ultra Sexy Girl Scout – cookie selling made so easy in these sexy costumes – be a brownie for Halloween
Dorothy from wizard of oz sexy costumes
Fairytale costumes – dress up as snow white, red riding hood
Sexy strawberry shortcake costumes, tinkerbell, pixie, angel costumes, raggedy ann costume, rag doll costume
Greek goddess – go Grecian in these toga party approved beautiful draped goddess costumes
Barbie costumes

You can get 35% and save money on this already cheap and discounted Halloween costumes through October 14th 2010: use shopping coupon code “aminew35”

If you need the perfect shoes or sexy boots to complete your Halloween costume, you can get them here too. They have insane deals on really cool over-the-knee boots, high heels, flat boots, knee high boots and any shoe you need for your Halloween outfit. Lace-up stripper style shoes and more tame for everyday sexy shoes are all here. I haven’t seen such good prices on shoes and boots anywhere. This is perfect if you want to buy a pair of ultra high heels for your costume but don’t want to spend a ton of money on something you might not wear again or at least very often.

Pleaser shoes has even made some amazing Halloween costume specific shoes. They have Queen of hearts shoes – high platform heels that work with several of the costume themes. Pleaser baby pink strawberry maryjanes – really cute pink platform heels with strawberries on them to go with your strawberry shortcake costume or other costume. Lady Bug heels by Pleaser – these black and red polka dot lady bug heels have a platform and stacked heel.

One of my favorites is the clown costume red blue yellow platform clown shoes. They are cute, fun, funky and feminine and would work well with many costumes including a clown costume, and a hot dog on a sticker worker costume. The sailor shoes and navy and white sailor inspired platforms are fantastic with any of the cute sailor goodship lollipop style costumes.

Don’t forget too that Christmas is coming and check out the faux leather red patent fur cuff Christmas boots or the super high candy striper candy cane heeled platforms. Also the green and red jingle bell elf boots are a fun holiday costume pair of boots. Beyond that you have your pin-up heels, rockabilly shoes, glamourpuss shoes, steampunk shoes and more.

Get your Halloween wigs right here as well. There are curly long hair wigs, short pageboy wigs, 60s hair wigs, vampire and witch wigs, tease wigs, long straight hair wigs, white wigs,  blunt bob wigs, pixie wigs, red devil wigs, angel wigs and others to transform your look so you can be a different person this Halloween.

If a ready made costume isn’t your thing, you can also come up with your own costume and use the Ami’s great prices to create your look. Create a Joan Halloway costume or Joan Harris costume more accurately. Dress up in a Betty Draper costume or other 60s Mad Men costume characters. Create your own Lady Gaga costume – be original and find the coolest craziest shoes and pieces you can find on Ami. You’ll have no trouble making a statement for under $50. For costume ideas on a budget – browse the Ami Club wear site and find tons of great under $50 halloween costumes and costume ideas to run with.
Buy your sexy Halloween costume or get best halloween costume ideas at Ami!
Need an escape? AMI's hot and sexy costumes can help you do just that!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Heidi Klum | New Balance | Project Runway | Activewear

Heidi Klum for New Balance Project Runway Winner Andy!


If you are looking for photos of the Heidi Klum for New Balance collaboration seen on Project Runway, keep reading. On the Project Runway episode last night, the designers were asked to design not one but three pieces for Heidi Klum's new activewear line, a collaboration with sporty company New Balance. The designer contestants got to see the lookbook for the collection with Heidi Klum's designs for New Balance. They were asked to create their own activewear pieces to fit into the Heidi Klum for New Balance collection.
They were given fabrics from the collection to use in their designs as well as a trip to Mood Fabric to pick additional fabric if they wanted to use other fabrics in the activewear designs.

Several of the designers had a difficult time with the challenge as they don't often make activewear. However, many women wear activewear. Whether you are looking for active wear for going to the gym, for doing a brisk walk in the morning, for running errands, dropping the kids off at school or just for wearing around the house - activewear is part of ealmost very woman's wardrobe at some point.

Finding luxurious and comfortable sportswear or activewear that transitions from in the house to out in public is often a challenge. We don't want to look like we've been at the gym unless it's an uber stylish version of the gym wear of course.
Heidi Klum with her New Balance collection wanted to address the busy woman's needs and desire for stylish activewear that is comfortable, super soft and luxurious in feel and fabric. Heidi wanted the designers to create pieces that a woman could wear to drop the kids off at school, do a walk in, run some errands in, and meet a friend for coffee without feeling like she was wearing gym clothes.

A few of the designers on Project Runway delivered terrific pieces of activewear for New Balance while a few of them didn't do so well. Heidi Klum was honest in her critique of the designs for her label.
The designers that produced active wear that she liked for HK NB were Mondo, April and Andy.

All three of these Project Runway designers produced creative, comfortable sportswear pieces that could work well as comfortable activewear for the scenarios Klum had in mind.

The other three, Christopher, Michael C and Gretchen disappointed Heidi and the other judges with their designs.

The winning Project Runway designer for this Heidi Klum for New Balance Challenge was Andy who created three unique pieces that the judges felt worked well and were beautiful, luxurious, fashion forward and comfortable. Heidi liked the three pieces so much that she decided to include all three in her line for sale on Amazon.

So, if you are looking for Andy South's New Balance pieces, look no further than amazon and the Heidi Klum for New Balance line where you will find the black and white graphic Andy South dress, the graphic hoodie, the leggings and other supersoft pieces by the Project Runway fav. What are your thoughts on the HK NB collaboration? Leave comments! What are your review on the designers work for Heidi Klum New Balance collection? Do you think the judges made the right decision?
To buy Andy's Project Runway Heidi Klum for New Balance pieces, click on any of the amazon photos or click HKNB Heidi Klum for New Balance Womens Project Runway Dress With Inserts, Black/Ivory, Small