Vegetarian Means Vegan, Right?

Actually vegetarians tend to differ from what Vegans consider themselves to be. The exact reasons for why, evade me at the moment.

I eat plenty of vegetables but also enjoy eggs so I think this means I may be a vegetarian but I am not a vegan because eggs are not on their menu. I need to watch my calories and weight.

Veganism, if I may, seems to be more like a religion than just a healthy eating regime. I think the term is applied to not only eggs but even to wearing things that may have once been alive, like leather.

I have no feelings on this one way or another and think our life choices are just that, our life choices.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Five Supplements to Help Lower Blood Pressure

By Esther Dacamay

Vitamin supplements are a great source of healthy benefits we may be lacking in our everyday poor diet. However, it is important to remember that while incorporating these supplements into our diet, they will not give us the benefits we seek unless we try to implement eating a healthier diet.

If someone has high blood pressure, it is imperative that they choose a healthier diet. Otherwise, the body does not have the strength it needs to fight the disease. Using supplements and continuing to eat a diet high in saturated fat and red meat is futile as the liver becomes overtaxed with its already over burdened job of weeding out the bad stuff in your food.

If you have high blood pressure and want a natural way to lower it, vitamin supplements can help. However, it also requires a healthy diet. Listed below are a few supplements beneficial in lowering high blood pressure.

1) CoQ10 - Coenzyme Q10 has been shown in research to be highly beneficial in fighting cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. It works by strengthening and oxygenating the heart muscle as well as aiding in the metabolic process.

2) Essential Fatty Acids - EFA's are said to decrease blood pressure and blood lipids and are commonly found in fish oils and flaxseed oil. It is for this reason that Eskimos have a lower rate of cardiovascular disease as their diet consists mainly of coldwater fish.

3) Vitamin E - Not only is this vitamin a scavenger of free radicals, it also helps to protect against heart attack and stroke. In addition, having a low level of this vitamin in the body is a primary indicator of heart disease.

4) Calcium - Not only does this supplement give a body strong bones and muscles, it also helps maintain normal blood pressure. Research has proven that in some people, calcium can modify hypertension.

5) Nicotinc Acid - This compound found in Niacin is shown in recent research to significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.

A few secondary nutrients that also help lower high blood pressure are Vitamin D, Zinc, Lecithin (available in capsule or granule form), Chromium, and ginger.

In addition, certain herbs can also help lower blood pressure. However, as with all supplementation, check with your doctor as these compounds can cause serious chemical interactions in your body if taken simultaneously with pharmaceutical drugs.

Here are a few herb combinations that can assist in lowering blood pressure. Garlic, Valerian Root, Black Cohosh Root, Kelp, Cayenne, Blessed Thistle and Parsley Leaves. These herbs come in capsule form and are suggested to be taken four to eight times a day. However, once the desired blood pressure has been reached, it is important to gradually lower the dosage to maintain it. In addition, women who are pregnant or nursing should not use this combination.

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Easy Cakes To Make At Home

By Amy Nutt

Everyone loves a delicious homemade cake. Many people tend not to make cakes because they think it is a difficult and time consuming task. Fortunately, there are easy cake recipes that are perfect for the novice baker and one who has a busy life.

The following are a few easy cakes to make at home:

1.) Sponge Cake: This cake is very easy to make and is light, tasty, and perfect for the family or when entertaining guests.

Ingredients: 4 oz (110g) self raising flour, sifted, 1 tsp baking powder, 4 oz.(110g) soft margarine, 4 oz (110g) sugar, 2 large eggs, 2-3 drops vanilla

The entire baking time from start to finish takes less than an hour.

2.) Ice Cream Cake: A delicious treat children will love.

Preparation time: 20-30 minutes. Freezing time: 8 hours or overnight. For one 8 inch ice cream cake you will need: 3 c. chocolate ice cream, slightly softened 5 Heath bars or 5 oz. English toffee, coarsely chopped 4 tbsp. chocolate syrup 3 tbsp. coffee liqueur 3 c. vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

3.) Chocolate Cake: Preparation time takes only a few minutes. The result is moist and delicious chocolate cake.

Ingredients: 4 oz (110g)self raising flour, sifted, 1 tsp baking powder, 4 oz (110g)soft margarine, 4oz (110g)sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tbs. cocoa powder. Filling ingredients: 2 oz (55g) butter or quality margarine, 4 oz (110g) icing/confectioners' sugar, 1 rounded tbs cocoa powder, 2 tsp of milk.

Preheat the oven to 170 deg C, 325 deg F. Sift the baking powder and flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the other ingredients to the bowl and beat until everything is mixed together. Put half the mixture in each of the prepared pans and place on the centre shelf of the preheated oven for about thirty minutes.

4.)'Fruity' Cake: A delicious and fruity treat for the whole family

Ingredients: 2 eggs, 1 c. salad oil, 2 c. sugar, 1 tsp. salt, 2 c. flour, 1 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. cinnamon, ground, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional), 1 can pie filling (apple, cherry, peach, etc.)

When mixed, stir in can of fruit with its syrup. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. Cool.

5.) White Birthday Cake: This is an easy and delicious cake for anyone's birthday.

Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups cake flour (9 ounces), 1 cup whole milk, 6 large egg whites (3/4 cup), 2 teaspoons almond extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (12 1/4 ounces), 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon table salt, 12 tablespoons softened unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and bake for about 25 minutes.

Easy cake recipes are great for parents on the go. You will not only enjoy eating this delicious treat, but have fun making it. Try making an easy cake today and make sure you share it with friends and family.

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Panini Press

By Anthony Tripp

A chicken in every pot and a panini maker in every kitchen. Actually Herbert Hoover ended that famous quote with a car in every garage but I think it should be updated to include the panini maker part. You can really make some fantastic meals with a panini maker.

A panini maker is sometimes called a panini grill or a panini press but no matter what its called, itll make a great sandwich. Theres some sort of magic that takes place when you heat and press several ingredients together on thick slices of crusty bread. Its like of of those whole is greater than the sum of its parts type of situations.

Using a panini maker isn't limited to heating up the panini sandwich itself, you can also grill the ingredients before you assemble the sandwich. How about making something with grilled onions? Toss them on the panini maker. Making sausage and pepper sandwiches? Both the sausage and the peppers can be cooked on a panini grill.

When buying a panini maker theres a couple of important features to keep in mind. First, removable dishwasher safe grill plates are a must have. Theyll make clean up a breeze. Second, if you plan on making greasy foods like hamburgers youre going to want a drip spout on the grill plates. Even better if the panini maker comes with a little cup to be used for catching grease from the drip spout. Third, a cool to the touch handle makes panini cooking much easier. Dont forget, youre goal is to press the sandwich together. And thats a little harder to do with a big pot holder on your hand. The cool touch handles make getting a little leverage and squashing your panini a lot easier.

Just about anything that you decide to make on a panini maker is going to come out pretty good. And with a great panini grill you'll always have the option to make what you want. Whether it's a peanut butter and banana sandwich or a filet mignon cheesesteak or some new sandwich invention you'll be set. And that's why every kitchen should come with a panini maker.

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McDonalds Coupons - Learn How To Look For McDonalds Coupons In Your Area

By Sonora Slowdeen

Did you know that McDonalds restaurants serve over forty-seven million people every single day worldwide? There are over thirty-one thousand restaurants in more than one hundred and nineteen countries. McDonalds is by far, the largest food chain in the world.

Their menu has some of the most recognizable items on it such as their famous Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with Cheese hamburger, or their Sausage McMuffin with Egg breakfast sandwich.

Everybody loves McDonalds. One of the main reasons why is because of their affordability. You can usually order a combo meal at a very low price. But even with all of the low prices on a McDonalds menu, you can still eat there for less.

By having McDonalds coupons, you can get an already inexpensive meal for an even lower price. And since every city typically has a McDonalds restaurant, it makes for having McDonalds coupons available to you even more useful to you.

Do you know where to look for these McDonalds coupons? We are going to show you three excellent ways to find McDonalds coupons.

Checking the McDonalds official website would be one way to find McDonalds coupons online. If they are having any specials, you may be able to find some printable McDonalds coupons that you can use for your discounts.

A second way to find McDonalds coupons is to sign up to be a McDonald's Preferred Subscriber. As a McDonald's Preferred Subscriber, you'll hear about new promotional offers and other cool stuff way before anyone else.

The third and best way to get McDonalds coupons is by finding companies online that are giving them away for free as part of a promotion. There are many companies out there that are doing this type of promotion of giving away McDonalds coupons. If you search for them online, you should be able to find them.

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