By: Anderson A. Anonymous, M.D., Ph.D.
Viewed: 2690 Times
Approximate Word Count: 489

Pure ethyl alcohol has seven calories per gram (see the Alcohol Calories Factbox). Alcohol is therefore almost as high in calories as pure fat, so it will tend to slow down weight loss. Pure alcohol provides no other nutrients. This means that alcohol does not help you lose weight on a diet. But you can still drink alcohol (in moderation) while on a diet if you know what you are doing..

Alcohol Calories Factbox:

Pure alcohol has 7 Calories per gram. This compares to:

* Pure fat – 9 Calories per gram
* Pure protein – 4 Calories per gram (average) and
* Pure carbohydrate – 4 Calories per gram (average)

Most light beers have about 100 calories per 12 ounces.

Most regular beer has between 120 -150 calories (average) per 12 ounces.

Most table wine has about 100 calories per 5 ounce glass.

One ounce of typical distilled alcoholic beverages — gin, rum, vodka, whiskey — (mixers add calories) have :

100 proof:

82 Calories and
11.8 grams alcohol and
16 grams water

80 proof

64 Calories and
9.3 grams alcohol and
18.5 grams water

Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Dieters, of course, have plenty of calories stored in their fat cells — so they don’t need to get more calories from food or alcohol.

However, in order to avoid triggering hunger, dieters do still need to get all of the other nutrients that come from food; and they need to get these nutrients in normal amounts. This can be difficult to do when they are not eating much food in order to try to lose weight.

Can you drink alcoholic beverages and still lose weight when you are on a diet?

The answer is yes — but there is a technique involved.

First, make sure you are on a diet that provides at least normal (DRI) amounts of all needed nutrients. Normal amounts of nutrients are necessary to prevent hunger. Most popular weight loss diets are not very good at this. (Here is why normal amounts of nutrient are necessary and why most diets fail.)

Second, make sure that your diet does NOT give you enough calories to maintain your current weight.

(Effective diets must do both of the above or they cannot be effective for long.)

How does this technique make drinking alcoholic beverages possible?

A properly designed weight loss diet, using ordinary supermarket foods and supplements, will be able to provide all necessary nutrients in the right amounts to prevent hunger — and at the same time it will provide only about 1200 calories.

Almost anyone will lose weight steadily if they eat less than 1500 calories per day. That leaves up to about 300 calories that you can use for wine, beer, or mixed drinks without destroying your diet.

Obviously, any alcohol calories are unnecessary and will slow your rate of weight loss. But sometimes this can be an acceptable trade-off.

By: Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Viewed: 880 Times
Approximate Word Count: 477

Over the years, I have identified two kinds of midlife career changers: Jumpers and Clingers.

Jumpers thrive on energy, enthusiasm and improbable luck. The last three times they leaped, a net appeared. They see no reason why the next jump should be any different.

Clingers thrive on careers that offer security, money and identity. When they outgrow their careers, or find themselves forced out, they feel lost. They can’t remember the last time they found themselves in this position.

Coaching jumpers and clingers for career change

Jumpers call a coach when they are ready to find a new mountain. Suggest a destination and they ask, “Where is it?” Often they’ve made another leap before the coach realizes what is going on.

Clingers call a coach when they find themselves lost in the jungle. They ask, “How do I know if I’ve made the right decision?” and, “How can I find security?” They hold out a one-way ticket, asking, “How do I change to a round trip?”

Jumpers have learned to accept that sinking-feeling-in-the-gut as they leap off the mountain. Climbers are not used to feeling edgy. They don’t want a roadmap; they want a hotel reservation, preferably chosen from a listing in the auto club directory.

Career change lessons for jumpers and clingers

Both Jumpers and Clingers face a new reality. Even the bravest Jumper can run out of luck. Choose the wrong mountain and the net never appears. And in the twenty-first century, Clingers must create their own security.

Jumpers must stop at the edge of the mountain, before the point of no return. “Does this feel right?” they have to ask. “Should I look first this time, to see if the net really exists? Or maybe instead of leaping it’s time to climb down more carefully, one ledge at a time.”

Clingers also have to ask, “Does this feel right?” Like Jumpers, they must look for safety nets. They learn to read maps and differentiate between dangerous potholes and afternoon shadows. And when they can’t get a guaranteed hotel reservation, they learn to make a contingency plan to avoid sleeping in the park.

Jumpers learn to walk where they used to run. Clingers learn to walk where they used to ride.

Most people will combine the qualities of jumpers and clingers, but you can save a lot of grief by knowing your prevailing style. Jumpers need guides who say, “Stop! Think!” Clingers need guides who motivate them to go. Over-motivated jumpers become daredevils; over-planned clingers lose momentum.

Disasters and Victories

Both jumpers and clingers can head for disaster. Jumpers leap into icy water or treacherous rocks. Clingers find their once-secure shelter has been blown over by a hurricane.

Jumpers bring energy and daring to a new venture; clingers bring planning skills and a track record of past accomplishment. Ultimately, both achieve success by recognizing their own operational styles and using their own strengths to survive and thrive in new terrain.

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., helps midcareer professionals take the First Step to their Second Careers. Weekly Your Next Move Ezine: mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

By: Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Viewed: 816 Times
Approximate Word Count: 422

Several years, I was listening to a radio talk show hosted by a psychologist.

A young woman caller said, “I just got accepted to medical school!”

“Congratulations!” said the host. “That’s terrific.”

“And,” the caller admitted, “I’m scared to death.”

“Of course you are!” said the host. “Just don’t be paralyzed.
Keep going. Work in and through the fear.”

I was reminded of that call recently, when someone said, “People who go through transitions are fearful.”

“And well they should be!” I replied. “There’s a lot to be afraid of in a transition.”

“That’s negative!”

“During a transition, you’ve got lots of things going on. And lots of people are standing by, waiting to take your money. You’d do well to be scared.”

“But fear is bad.”

“No. fear can be your friend. Fear is a signal from your intuition that you need to be vigilant.”

“But you can’t make decisions based on fear.”

“No. But if you’re feeling scared, pay attention to what’s going on.

Deal with the fear first.

If you’re trying to decide whether to quit your job, fear can help you make a good plan.

Fear of getting sick can lead to a healthy diet, exercise and insurance.”

“What if you’re paralyzed?”

“When you feel paralyzed by fear, take some action. Any action.
Start moving. See if you feel the fear easing up. You can also work on your anxieties by writing in a journal or talking to someone you trust. As you write or talk, you may feel less scared.”

“What if you don’t?”

“Full scale panic attacks call for professional treatment from a
qualified therapist. If your fear is holding you back from reaching your goals, you need to seek professional help. For instance, if your job calls for driving and you’re afraid to drive on the freeway, you need to talk to a psychologist who deals with phobias.”

“What can a coach do?”

“A career coach or consultant can help you look at the facts in a new way. I can help you decide if your fear is realistic and, if so, how to deal with it. I can remind you that most people entering a transition will be scared.”

“Any warnings?”

“Yes. Don’t let anyone dismiss your fears. Only you can tell if
fear comes from your intuition or if this particular fear is blocking your intuition.”

“So fear is not something to be afraid of.”

“I believe fear is a friend, a message from intuition.”

“Or as Franklin Roosevelt said fifty years ago, in a whole different context, ‘The only thing left to fear is fear itself.’”

“You got it.”

Recommended reading:
Thom Rutledge’s book, Embracing Fear offers a well-written, down-to-earth perspective by a Nashville-based counselor.

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., helps midcareer professionals take the First Step to their Second Careers. Weekly Your Next Move Ezine: mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

By: Balveer Barot
Viewed: 644 Times
Approximate Word Count: 220

Astrology: Compatibility & Relationship

Your relationships are based on all the planets, signs, and houses in your birth chart. It is also based on how they interact with all the planets, signs, and houses, in other people’s charts.

“Relationship astrology” is a part of astrology which analyses just how compatible you are with someone else. It takes into account varied aspects between two people and also the type of relationship it is going to be, or not be.

This type of astrological study can tell whether two, or more, people are emotionally, mentally, or sexually compatible.

Astrology zodiac sign compatibility

Do you know how compatible your zodiac sign is with the person you are in love with? Know more about your love and Sun sign compatibility with astrology report!

A Compatibility Report analyses your relationship/s deeply, and also answers significant questions related to romance, sex, and love. With the report in hand, you will be able to discover how to expand on your relationship and become more accessible to one another.

What your compatibility chart also examines are your strengths and weaknesses, and also what measures you’d take to deal or improve your situation. Isn’t this an amazing potential — to know your future better even before it takes off in the direction you want it to?

For more information visit our website and receive astrology compatibility report.

By: Ibrahim Machiwala
Viewed: 805 Times
Approximate Word Count: 804

According to Webster’s dictionary knowledge is defined as familiarity gained through experience or association.” Or in other way we can say to know something is knowledge.

In today’s world acquiring knowledge is of great importance and if an individual wishes to progress in this world he must struggle to acquire knowledge as much as possible.

Importance of acquiring knowledge is also being emphasized by Islam because Islam is the religion of knowledge. The first ayah of the Qur’an to be revealed is the key to knowledge. Allah (SWT) says:

“Read! In the Name of your Lord who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not” [al-‘Alaq 96:1-5] Allah (SWT) created man and also provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge, namely hearing, sight and wisdom. Because of the importance of knowledge, Allah (SWT) commanded His Messenger to seek more of it. Allah (SWT) says:
“And say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge? [Ta-Ha 20:114]

Islam calls us to seek knowledge. The Prophet (PBUH) made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and he explained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge over the one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every other heavenly body.

After Prophet Mohammad the original Abbasids, ruling as Caliphs in Baghdad, set up academies and libraries where new knowledge was honored– independent of its source. The Fatimids then continued this tradition. The best example is the formation of Al-Azhar University. Besides university Fatmid’s worked die heartedly on acquiring new knowledge and descending that knowledge to others. Then after 1000 years of formation of Al Azhar; His Highness Prince Karim Aga khan formulated Aga Khan University to continue the tradition of acquiring and descending knowledge. Besides university, Aga Khan Academic Programs of AKDN are formulating schools to enhance thirst for knowledge in people since childhood.

His highness in his speech in Hyderabad in 2006 said “In such a world, the most important thing a student can learn is the ability to keep on learning.”

His highness once in his speech at American University 2006 stated the words of Hazrat Ali that “No honor is like knowledge. No belief is like modesty and patience, no attainment is like humility, no power is like forbearance, and no support is more reliable than consultation.” His highness further explained it by saying What He (Hazrat Ali) thus is telling us, is that we find knowledge best by admitting first what it is we do not know, and by opening our minds to what others can teach us.

So since the emergence of Islam till the time of our 49th Imam acquiring knowledge and descending it others is always being emphasized now the question arises why is it so, its because history gives evidence that progress is made only when people had desire to acquire knowledge. Therefore in past Muslims had made glorious and marvelous achievements in almost every field of scientific knowledge including Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Medicine and Social Sciences; because a person without knowledge is like someone walking along a track in complete darkness. Most likely his steps will wander aside and he can be deceived easily. This shows that our greatest danger lies in our ignorance of acquiring knowledge. But if we are blessed with the light of knowledge we will be able to see plainly the clear path at every step of our lives. We shall also be able to identify and avoid the dangerous paths that effects mankind.

If Knowledge is pursued and practiced with modesty and humility it leads to beauty and dignity, freedom and justice. Because knowledge is only the first step and it was being clearly explained in speech of his highness at American university in 2006 that “Accessing knowledge is only the first step. The second step–the application of knowledge, is also demanding. Knowledge, after all, can be used well or poorly —for good or evil purposes. Once we have acquired knowledge, it is important that the ethical guidelines of faith be invoked, helping us apply what we have learned to the highest possible ends. And it is also important that those ends be related to the practical needs of our peoples.”

Additionally acquiring knowledge brings us closer to God and God’s creations that is this planet and living things residing in this planet and the other planets in the universe and many more.

Lastly, the rationale of acquiring knowledge given by Islam is to gain the good of this world, not to destroy it through wastage, arrogance and in the reckless pursuit of higher standards of material comfort. In the end, Goethe once said that “Knowing is not enough; we must apply!”.

Sumaira Sachwani is an professional nurse (BSCN), her interest in writing articles has provided a special place between young Ismaili scholars (http://www.nizariismaili.com/), The theories belong to the reality and our lives. She is very much honest with her cultural responsibilities. For more about her research must Visit http://www.update.pk/.

LOS ANGELES – “High School Music 3: Senior Year” graduated with honors Saturday at the Kids Choice Awards.

The Disney musical was selected as the favorite movie by audience votes at the 22nd annual slime-filled Nickelodeon spectacle held inside UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. “High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens was also selected as the favorite movie actress.

“Lately, a lot of people have been taking credit for bringing back the musical,” Zac Efron said while accepting the movie’s trophy. “The truth is we’ve known who’s been responsible for bringing back the musical all along. It was you guys!”

The show’s hijinks kicked off with host and “Race to Witch Mountain” star Dwayne Johnson zip-lining over the audience of screaming teens and tweens into a “slime temple.” Johnson proceeded to spray the first row with gooey green slime. Other shenanigans included squirting singer Jesse McCartney with a fake microphone and Will Farrell slipping and sliding down a hill.

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NEW YORK – Love sometimes get second chances, but failed TV series rarely do. “Cupid” has become one of those rare exceptions.

ABC is resurrecting the romantic comedy that lasted 14 episodes on its schedule in 1998-99. It premieres Tuesday in a plum 10 p.m. time slot following the network’s biggest hit, “Dancing With the Stars.”

Yet it’s not the same series that its fans may fondly remember, and not only because original stars Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall are not available this time.

ABC had been kicking around ideas with Rob Thomas, the original series creator who had gone on to other projects like “Veronica Mars.” The network executives said they were thinking about something like “Cupid,” when the light bulb went on over their heads: Why not just do “Cupid” again?

This sort of remake is something of a taboo, even for an industry where series fail much more often than they succeed, frequently for reasons that have little to do with their quality.

“A lot of people feel like there must be some sort of stigma attached,” said Kim Rozenfeld, ABC’s senior vice president of current programming. “If you tried and didn’t succeed, you shouldn’t touch it again.”

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By: Richard A. Brink
Viewed: 908 Times
Approximate Word Count: 638

It is the Christmas holiday weekend, the family is sitting around the livingroom discussing how much of a very fine meal we’ve eaten, when the conversation shifts: “You on for the drag races this summer?” I asked my brother. “Oh yeah,” he answers back. As we reminisce about the past years NHRA Nationals and discuss plans and dates for this years race, we wonder why the NHRA does not have a bigger following. If you like fast cars, and you have not been to a NHRA Nationals event, you have no idea what your missing. That, we decided, is exactly the problem. You have got to see it live to understand why it has the following it does. Television is at fault, after-all this sport has many times the horsepower of NASCAR, the pitts are open to anyone with a ticket, and the drivers come out of the haulers just to sign autographs on a regular basis. They even give you a free, glossy team photo to get the autograph signed on. The problem is none of that comes across on TV. When you watch NASCAR they televise the pre-race activities, the on-track activities, and the post-race activities. They even have a segment called CRANK IT UP, in which the anouncers dont say a word for a few laps so you can litterally blow your speakers apart with your surround sound. This helps give you the feeling you are at the track. You could be watching your first NASCAR event and by the end of the race come away with the feeling you understand it, and more importatly you will feel like you know the drivers. I dont want to take anything away from NASCAR; it is a great motorsport and they have done a fine job of marketing to get to this point. But (and it is a big but) there is no feeling in the world like two top fuel dragsters coming off the line simultaneously; it will shake your soul. Trying to explain this feeling to someone who has never experienced it is futile. Nor can you explain the smells of the track, the smoking tires, the rubber dust in the air, or the way your eyes burn from the half-burnt alcohol sprayed from the firey pipes. The sound…absolutely deafening.

If we could somehow get these sights and sounds through our TV’s, the NHRA would explode with popularity. “Maybe they should send out bag of rubber dust and a candle that smells like burnt rubber before each broadcast,” we quipped.

In reality, the biggest thing I see that can be done is for television to help us get to know the drivers and their crews. Even the World Poker Tour understands they can’t just show you people playing cards. We have to feel as if these drivers are our friends. Introduce us to their world! We must be able to connect with them on a personal level. Show us what it takes to go 300mph in less than five seconds! The crews can tear down an engine and put it back together in less than an hour. Show us that! Dont talk while the rockets thunder down the track. Let us blow our speakers! It will never take the place of being at the track, but it would go a long way in bringing the NHRA back to the fore-front of the racing world.

Do yourself a favor, the next time the NHRA is in your neighborhood, GO. Take your kids, call some friends, or go by yourself; just go. There is no experience like it in the world, at least not yet. Maybe someday soon, when we can board a rocket bound for the moon, the NHRA might have competition. Until that day comes you owe it to yourself to take in an event.

Richard A. Brink is CEO of Internet Busines Realities. Richard writes articles for several sites in the IBR network including, AftermarketGoodies.com.

By: Sylvia Riley
Viewed: 1031 Times
Approximate Word Count: 925

1) Bee pollen

Bee Pollen, around 40% protein with a staggering composition of nutrients, enzymes and phytochemicals, is a virtually complete food. As well as a plethora of health benefits, it is said to stimulate the metabolism, speeding up the burning of calories, and its high content of lecithin can help to flush fat from the body.

Bee pollen also functions as an appetite suppressant, containing the amino acid phenylalanine that is known to effect the area of the brain that deals with feelings of hunger and fullness. Unlike the chemical manmade derivative of phenylalanin called phenylpropanolamine used in commercial weight-loss products, phenylalanin is not addictive and has no negative side effects. Bee pollen also satiates the appetite and eliminates cravings because it is so nutrient-dense.

2) Chili

The active ingredient in chilli called capsaicin is a thermogenic agent which helps to increase metabolism and the burning of calories and fat. This is why capsaicin is found in many natural weight loss formulas. Capsaicin is also believed to be an appetite suppressant. Two studies led by the same Japanese researcher (Yoshioka et al., British Journal of Nutrition; 1998, 1999), revealed the ability of cayenne to increase the metabolism of dietary fats in women as well as demonstrate modest reductions in appetite.

In addition to weight loss properties, capsaicin has been shown to relieve pain, sinusitis, psoriasis, migraines and arthritis, improve circulation and stomach conditions and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

3) Coconut oil

Dr. Weston A Price, the Darwin of nutrition writes, “Replacing the fats you now eat with coconut oil may be the wisest decision you can make to lose excess body fat… You can lose unwanted body fat by eating more saturated fat (in the form of coconut oil) and less polyunsaturated fat (processed vegetable oils). One of the remarkable things about coconut oil is that it can help you lose weight. Yes, there is a dietary fat that can actually help you take off unwanted pounds. Coconut oil can quite literally be called a low-fat fat.”

Coconut oil is unique from animal saturated fats in that it is comprised of medium chain fatty acids which are absorbed directly and used immediately for energy. Raymond Peat MD, author of Coconut Oil and Its Virtues, concludes, “The anti-obesity effect of coconut oil is clear in all of the animal studies, and in my friends who eat it regularly.”

Coconut oil has also been found to benefit a myriad of conditions from diabetes, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, digestive disorders, thyroid imbalances, and viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

4) Nettles

Nettles contain serotonin, a mood enhancing neurotransmitter with a calming influence. Serotonin also plays a role in the feelings of satiation one experiences after eating, hence functions as an appetite suppressant. It is for this reason that serotonin supplements have been designed to tackle food cravings and aid slimming.

Studies have shown a direct link between obesity (due to overeating) and decreased brain levels of serotonin. This is no doubt one reason why the nettle has a traditional reputation for improving weight-loss. The late naturalist and wild-food forager Euel Gibbons claims, “stinging nettle is very efficacious in removing unwanted pounds!”.

Nettles are incredibly mineral dense and cleansing and detoxifying for the body. They are also great for skin, hair and nails as they contain the beautifying mineral sulphur.

5) Chocolate

Cacao (aka pure chocolate), contains chemicals that increase levels of serotonin in the brain, and as such has appetite suppressing properties. The reason serotonin levels are raised on eating chocolate is because of the action of monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). These decrease our body’s ability to break down serotonin so that more of this neurotransmitter remains in the brain remains, creating feelings of fullness for longer.

Cacao is also exceptionally high in antioxidants, has potent aphrodisiac properties, healthy minerals and mood-boosting compounds such as PEA the “love chemical”.

Pure, unrefined chocolate contains none of the detriments of commercial products such as sugar, hydrogenated fats, milk, additives, agro-chemicals and solvents.

6)Green Tea

A study published in the December 1999 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, led by Dr. Dullo at the University of Geneva, indicates that substances in green tea extract may actually promote weight loss. Men given a combination of both caffeine and green tea extract burned more fat calories than those given caffeine or placebo alone.

The scientists believed that the catechin flavonoids in green tea may alter the body’s use of norepinephrine, a chemical transmitter in the nervous system, to increase the rate of calorie burning. They concluded, “Green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se”.

Green tea is a potent antioxidant rich superfood that lowers cholesterol, reduces the risk of stroke, protects against cancer, prevents teeth cavities and has anti-inflammatory action.

7) Omega 3 Fish Oil

Omega-3 oils serve numerous bodily processes and are particularly good for the immune system and heart as well as arthritis, skin conditions, pre-menstrual tension, mental function, improving memory and reducing depressive symptoms. Omega 3 oils also play a role in burning fats within the body and as such can aid weight-management.

This is due to its effects on insulin, reducing levels in the body. Insulin promotes the use of fat for storage and reduces the use of fat for fuel, hence lower insulin levels mean greater conversion of fat for energy rather than storage.

The best Omega-3 oil sources are oily fish like sardines, salmon and mackerel. Plant sources include flaxseeds (the richest plant source), walnuts, pumpkin seeds, green leafy vegetables, evening primrose oil, wheat germ and spirulina.

Discover the World’s Ultimate Superfoods:
http://www.miracle-superfoods.com

And the Pet Nutrition Guide:
http://www.pet-nutrition-guide.com