December 26, 2014

How to Sleep like a Baby

It’s 3:00 a.m. where are you? Most people would probably be asleep. However, for a large majority of people, it is near impossible for them to get a good nights rest. Without it, they are unable to focus well, they have low energy, and let’s face it, they are usually in a not so good mood. Is there anything that the sleep deprived can do in order to help give their body the much needed sleep it needs? Aside from counting sheep, which rarely works, try some of the suggestions below.

How to Sleep like a Baby

First, start out by examining your bedroom for sleep distractions. Sleep distractions would be such things as clutter, the color of the paint, the noise level, etc. If your room is painted in bright, electrifying colors, you may want to consider painting it a soothing cool color. A pale green or a soothing blue would be good choices. You can’t expect to be able to sleep if the paint in your bedroom is so bright that it looks like an airport runway.

If your room is cluttered, consider scheduling a spring cleaning day and get rid of all those unwanted sleep thieves. If a room is cluttered, it gives our mind more things to focus on and think about during the night instead of sleep. Your bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary, and let’s face it, who wants piles of bills or junk mail in their sanctuary? Not too many people.

As far as the noise level goes, this is different for each person. Some people enjoy some form of noise while they sleep and may even purchase a noise machine, while others have to have quiet. If you fall into the latter category, try purchasing some heavy drapes to see if they block out any of the unwanted noise. While the drapes probably won’t get rid of every unwanted noise, you will notice a big difference.

Next, try not to exercise before going to bed. I’m not saying don’t exercise at all, because exercise is good for us, but we all know that exercise releases endorphins which amp us up. You can’t expect to be able to go to sleep if you feel like you could run a marathon. Try to keep exercise to either early in the mornings or to around four hours before bedtime. This will give your body time to calm down and will help you to drift off to sleep much easier.

Another suggestion to help you get a good nights sleep would be to take a nice warm bath just before you are ready to go to bed. The warm bath will not only help you to relax physically, but it will also give your brain some time to unwind as well. It doesn’t have to be a long bath, just 10 or 15 minutes should do the trick. As you are letting the water out of the tub, picture your troubles and cares being washed down the drain. A mind that is not burdened with troubles is a mind that can easily drift off to sleep.

Lighting is another issue that effects sleep. If your bedroom window lets the light of a nearby street light into your bedroom, you might want to try some of those room darkening curtains to eliminate that problem. If you can’t find any or can’t afford them, try putting a quilt up instead. If your curtain rods are sturdy, they will usually hold up the extra weight of the quilt. Either of these two things will help darken your bedroom and help you drift off to what could be the best nights sleep you’ve had in a while.

Of course, don’t forget to flip your mattress every so often to keep it from getting worn. However, if your mattress is not in good shape and you can’t afford to buy a new one (because we know they don’t come cheap), consider buying a mattress topper. This will give you the sense of a new mattress, but will cost you a fraction of the price. Toppers come in a variety of styles, and it is up to you to find the one that suits your needs.

The last tip, try and keep the temperature in your bedroom at a comfortable level. You don’t want the temperature too hot or too cold. You want it just right. Again, it is up to you, as an individual, to decide what your perfect temperature is. Try these few tips out and see if they help you get the peaceful nights slumber your body has been missing. Pleasant dreams sleep deprived.

December 25, 2014

Winter Vegetable Soup ( Soups and Salads Recipe )


There’s nothing better than a piping hot bowl of soup to help you get past harsh winters. Add an assortment of vegetables to the soup, and you have a meal that is nutritious and delicious. Tomato gives this soup a slight tanginess while celery and bayleaves add a pleasant flavour. Include any vegetable that is in season and serve bubbling hot with parsley and grated cheese. Toasted croutons or caraway seed toast make a nice accompaniment.

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Preparation Time: 
Cooking Time: 
Makes 4 servings


Ingredients

1 tbsp oil
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 bayleaves
1/4 cup chopped french beans
1/4 cup carrot cubes
1/4 cup potato cubes
1/4 cup cauliflower florets
3/4 cup shredded cabbage
1/4 cup deseeded tomato cubes
1 vegetarian seasoning cube , powdered
salt and freshly ground black pepper (kalimirch) to taste

For The Garnish
2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
2 tbsp grated processed cheese

Method
  1. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the onions and bayleaves and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute.
  2. Add the french beans, carrots, potatoes and cauliflower and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Add 4 cups of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 20 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the cabbage, tomatoes, seasoning powder, salt and pepper, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve hot garnished with parsley and cheese.
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December 24, 2014

Love Christmas

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year – and yet, 4 all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.

Christmas is the one time of year when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.

At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.

Bells are ringing and everyone is singing, It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Bells ring and the birds sing, May you get all the happiness that Christmas brings! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Christmas Quotes

A wish for peace and happiness at Christmas and throughout the New Year.

The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness. May all these be yours at Christmas.

 May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness. Merry Christmas!

May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter.

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year. Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.

 Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness. Merry Christmas!

May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill, and may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy. Have a Merry Christmas.

As you relish the goodies, decorate every nook and corner of your home and enjoy the get-togethers... may the joy and festivities continue to radiate in your lives, long after Christmas is gone.  Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

With all Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Yearmerry-christmas-card-01.

December 23, 2014

Let Me Entertain You

Mince Pies

 

When it's your turn to entertain, use it to your advantage calories. Just prepare meals and how low-fat snacks and stay with the same healthy eating rules that you follow for the rest of the year. And keep in mind that not only your waistline that benefit - your friends and family will also be thanking you come New Year!

Know your nibbles

1 Very often are the snacks between meals festive accumulate in pounds instead of meals are available. Gaining a pound of fat is as easy as eating about 70 chocolates in a check box - which may seem a lot, but a couple of handfuls every day grows fast. If you do not want to pile on the pounds, then follow these simple tips.

2 Do not be tempted to store many festive foods before Christmas - just starting before eating and then buy more. There is also the possibility of staying with a lot of things - and you know you'll only find a way to get rid of them!

3 Make your own dives fat cream using low-fat, low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese fat free. Add a variety of condiments such as lemon juice, black pepper, fresh herbs and spices. Meanwhile, they serve with vegetable crudités or breadsticks instead of chips or fries.

4 It may be tempting to nibble while you're preparing meals for family and friends. But it is very easy to work your way through nearly as many calories as the food itself. Avoid the temptation to keep your mouth busy with a piece of sugarless gum.

5 Buy low-fat versions of favorite snacks like chips and dips. Nobody will ever know the difference - remember to hide the packaging!

Have a go at making their own pies using phyllo dough instead of broken, puff or flaky. Is lower in calories and fat than other varieties - most are used less. Check out the table below.

 

Pastry per 100g (uncooked)

Calories

Fat g

Filo

304

2.7

Puff

401

25.6

Flaky

424

30.7

Shortcrust

453

29.1

 

6 If you do not like to experiment with phyllo, simply chop bake cakes instead. Leaving aside the top of the dough save about 40 calories and fat 3G.

7 Cut the fat content of ready-made minced, mixed with a little apple baked before use to fill pastry boxes. It tastes good, too.

8 Locate low-fat versions of your favorite foods such as Christmas pudding, Christmas pudding and pies. Alternatively, simply reducing the size. Many supermarkets now sell the mini pies that contain only 100-150 calories each, instead of the usual 200-250 calories each. Okay, they're gone in just a few bits, but at least not lost.

9 Do not use leftovers to create, fatty foods high in calories, like bubble and squeak and turkey coronation. Instead, make delicious low-calorie foods like turkey soup, turkey curry with brown rice or simply served with a jacket potato and salad.

10 Where is the famous turkey sandwich, it healthier by using whole wheat bread feast with a little fat cranberry sauce instead of butter, choosing breast instead of dark meat and pile on the salad.

Sweets per 100g

Calories

Fat g

Fruit gums

172

0

Fruit pastilles

253

0

Real Turkish delight

295

0

Marshmallows

327

0

Boiled sweets

327

0

Jelly beans

365

0.2

Peppermints

392

0.7

Toffees

430

17.2

Assorted filled chocolates

460

18.8

 

December 22, 2014

Baby's First Christmas - Celebrity Edition

The year of 2014 brought big changes in the lives of some of our favorite celebrities. New records, new releases, and new awards are always exciting, but nothing can measure up to the beauty and amazement of the birth of a baby. Meet all the new mini-celebrities that will be celebrating their very first Christmas this year.

Baby Schuyler
Parents: Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe
Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe (celebrity stylist) welcomed their very first baby this year, Schuyler Harris. Judging from his custom made shoes and his Missoni stroller, I think it's very safe to make the assumption that Schuyler's first Christmas will be filled with Gucci, Prada and Chanel.

Baby Flynn
Parents: Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Actor Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings) and model Miranda Kerr may have given birth to the cutest baby alive. With brown hair and big blue eyes, he has been making headlines since day one. This is an extra exciting time of year for Baby Flynn; he will be celebrating his first birthday on January 6th.

Baby Haven
Parents: Cash Warren and Jessica Alba
Producer Cash Warren and actress Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four, Sin City) welcomed their second daughter, baby Haven Garner in August, much to the delight of big sister Honor Marie. Jessica recently took both three year old Honor and four month old Haven to meet Santa Claus in their local mall. How sweet is that!

Baby Morocco and Baby Monroe
Parents: Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey
Nick Cannon (America's Got Talent) and singer/actress Mariah Carey welcomed their twins on April 30th of this year. This adorable duo made one of their first public appearances last Christmas when Mariah was visibly showing during her Christmas Special. Morocco was named after the Moroccan inspired room in which Nick proposed to Mariah, and Monroe was named after one of Mariah's longtime role models, Marilyn Monroe.

Baby Harper
Parents: David & Victoria Beckham
World renowned power couple David (English soccer star) & Victoria Beckham (designer) welcomed their very first daughter this year. Baby Harper Seven joined older brothers Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

Baby Bingham
Parents: Matt Bellamy and Kate Hudson
Matt Bellamy (front-man of Muse) and actress Kate Hudson (Bride Wars, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) welcomed their first baby, Bingham Hawn in August. Baby Bingham joins Kate's older son Ryder, who affectionately calls him Bing.

Baby Arabella
Parents: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Jared Kushner and entrepreneur and daughter of Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, married in October 2009, welcomed their very first baby, Arabella Rose on July 17th of this year.

Baby Aleph
Parents: Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman
Producer Benjamin Millepied and actress Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) welcomed their first baby, Aleph this year. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a sweet tribute to the Hebrew background of the couple.

And there, my friends, are the newest celebrities of 2011. Merry Christmas to all the baby celebs and their parents! I can't help but wonder which celebrities will make this list next year...