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I'm Alex and I'm forever on my way to a healthier more balanced me. I hope what you find here can help you on your journey as well. Questions and positivity are always welcome here.<3
59,805 notes / 6 days ago / reblog
getfit-befit:


This is interesting. After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.
But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
DEPRESSION: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
ANEMIA: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
BLOOD PRESSURE: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
BRAIN POWER: 200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packe d fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
CONSTIPATION: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
HANGOVERS: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
HEARTBURN: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
MORNING SICKNESS: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
MOSQUITO BITES: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
NERVES: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
ULCERS: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Many other cultures see bananas as a ‘cooling’ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, ‘A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!’

This is why I have a banana or two before every major athletic event I do. And why they’re offered afterwards :)
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1,603 notes / 1 week ago / reblog
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5,832 notes / 3 weeks ago / reblog
the-more-u-know:

These are all taken from HERE
yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com
Health nut Breakfast recipes
Ragi(finger millet) PorridgeBuckwheat Kasha(Porridge)Chocolate Cherry Berry Muffins,Organic Scrambled eggs and Instant CoffeeStuffed Omelet W Broccoli MushroomsAsparagus Souffleed OmeletBeet oatmealSweet Potatoes Blueberry Pancakes,a probe in to another Super FoodWholesome Qatayef(Middle Eastern Pancakes) With Orange Blossom SyrupWhole Wheat Blueberry PancakesGerman Oven PancakesBeet Pancakes With Pomegranate SyrupGingerbread Pancakes Whole grain Blueberry Banana MuffinsNutty Fruity GranolaBroccoli OmeletHealthy Blueberry SconesSavory Scones With Carrots and GreensVegetable LatkesRoasted Vegetable Crepes with Pepper CoulisStrawberry Banana CrepesVegetable Crepes with Stuffed Cabbage and Spring OnionsBlintzes With Ricotta Cream and Strawberry Sauce
South Indian Breakfast
Veggie Rice Cakes(IDLI) with Nutty ChutneyShallow Fried Indian Doughnuts(VADA)Green Pan Cakes(Pesarettu Dosa)Herbs Barley Lentil Dosa with Almond Sesame Chutney
Indian Breakfast
Spinach Flat Bread(Parathas)Stuffed Flat Bread(Gobi Paratha)Tangy Urad Lentil with Layered ParathaRadish Curry With Cumin Flat BreadAvocado Parathas(Flat bread)Flaky ParathasMethi Masala Roti With Lasun chutneyBeet ParathasMakke Ki Roti(Corn Flatbread)Roti Rolls with Home made Plum Jam
Breads\Buns\Biscuits\Muffins
Blueberry Almond Banana MuffinsAlmond and Oat Muffins Honey Cherry MuffinsWhole Grain Dinner RollsZucchini Banana BreadMango Ginger Bread Fruity Veggie BreadSpicy Veggie BunsPink Stuffed BunsGarlic Herb ChallahWhole Wheat Biscuits with Apple ButterSweet Focaccia with Fruits(Italian Bread)Mutli Seed Bread with Pumpkins seeds,flax seeds and Sesame seeds.Sesame BunsSweet and Savory Pasties Vegan Pomegranate BreadVegan Banana Walnut Quick BreadSaffron BreadFruit Challah W Cranberry PreservesHachapuri With Olives Garlic Green Mung StewRosemary Braided BreadCinnamon-Cocoa quick BreadSoy Chunk EmpanadasVegetable and Mango PocketsSheermal(MughaWhole grain Garden Veggie Pizza
Healing Soups,Stews and Salads
16 Bean StewMushroom Walnut SoupCalming Chicken SoupVegetable Barley SoupSpicy Lentil SoupSpinach Lentil Soup(Palak Dal)Spicy Tomato Soup(Rasam)Green Mango Dal(Lentil)Mint Lentil SoupCurried Black Lentil SoupChunky Broccoli SoupBeet Greens SambharBeet Greens SoupRoasted ButternutSquash SoupBarley Brown Lentil Mushroom StewAutumn Salad With Pumpkin Seeds,Nuts and Fresh FruitsSalad OlviyeFattoush SaladOrange Carrot Salad with Orange Blossom WaterCausa,Layered Potato SaladKosambari(Raw Vegetable Lentil Salad)Chilled Avocado SoupSpicy roasted Acorn Squash SoupTomato Vegetable Pasta SoupRadish Greens and Brown Rice SoupKale Barley SoupAlfa-alfa Sprouts Olives Citrus SaladRoasted Butternut Squash Soup
Nourishing Drinks and Smoothies
Berry Green Smoothie and Meet out new LoveOrange Ginger DrinkNature’s Best DrinkFlax Blueberry SmoothieNourishing Barley WaterMellow Yellow MilkSummer Cooling Minty LimeadeWater Melon Ginger AleCooling Falooda(Basil seeds and Rose syrup drink)Avocado Mango cream(Creme De Abacate)Badam Harira(Almond Milk)Rose Berry Banana SmoothieOrange Herbal TeaGinger Honey TeaHot Chocolate\CocoaStrawberry milkshake with Homemade strawberry syrup Almond Cocoa with Homemade Almond MilkFennel Tea(Saunf Chai)Arabic Black Coffee
Curing Curries 
Palak Paneer and TofuShahi PaneerZucchini Garlic CurryCurry in a HurrySay OK to OkraTasty Tofu SpinachMirchi Ka Salan(Green chilly Curry)Roasted Beets and Beet Greens CurryStuffed Bitter GourdDal MakhaniSarson Ka Saag (Mustard greens)
Non-Vegetarian
Splendid Spinach LambEggs Spring Onion CurryGarlic Herb ChickenGreen KababsAlmond ChickenTangy Tomato LambBroccoli Kheema(Minced Meat)Lamb ChopsMurgh Makhani(Creamy Buttery Chicken)Andhra Chepala Pulusu(Fish soup)Shahi Badami KhormaMutton DopayazaMint Harissa ChickenEggplant Meat WrapsLow fat Kofta(Spiced Meatballs) Curry
Flavorful Rice
Lemon Brown RiceSoy Vegetable BiryaniBrunch Lentil Rice(Khichdi) with Sesame ChutneyLemon Rice with Egg plant ChutneyVegetable BiryaniVegetable Rice(pulov)with Tomato ChutneyLunch in Patriotic ColorsLamb Rice(Hyderabadi Biryani) with Carrot Yogurt Chutney(Raita)Fish BiryaniShrimp(Prawn) BiryaniQubooli(Lentil Biryani)Green Mung KhichdiFruit and Nut Saffron Brown Rice PilafBroccoli Rice CasseroleMethi(Fenugreek) sprouts peas RiceCauliflower rice :Brown or White?
Vegetarian Meals 
Fruit and Nut QuinoaMoroccan Vegetable CouscousKoshary(Rice Pasta and Lentil with Spicy Tomato sauce)Super Grain,Green Freekah Vegetable PilafStuffed Tomatoes - Juicy Red!Spaghetti Squash with Pumpkin Seeds PestoVeggie BurgerYellow Carrots and Avocado PastaVeggie Stuffed Mushrooms with Pasta MarinaraSprouts and Snap Peas Salad Turkey Sprouts WrapsGingered Eggplant and Snap Peas PastaCilantro Mint Pesto PastaArtichoke Hearts and Pimento Olive PastaBlack Eyed Peas Sprouts PastaVegetarian LasagnaButternut Squash Ravioli with Pumpkin Seed Pesto sauceVegetable CouscousVegetable Sprouts NoodlesFulfilling FalafelPurpilicious:Whole Grain Penne Pasta with Purple CauliflowerVegetable Stuffed Mushrooms W Penne PastaBeet Almond Lemon PastaAlmond Pâté Spinach Lasagne with Cauliflower Bachemal and Vegetable RaguVen Pongal and Gosthu :South Indian Comfort FoodSarson Ka Saag Aur Makke Ki Roti(Mustard greens and Corn Flatbread)Saudi Vegetable Pasta(Matazeez)
Meatie Meals
Salmon Burger With Butternut Squash FriesColorful Couscous with Baked ChickenKheema Vegetable SeviaColorful Couscous With Baked ChickenHerb Lamb Chops With Vegetable CouscousMutton Dopayaza(Lamb Onions) With Flaky Parathas Meat Wheat Porridge(Haleem)Harees,Spicy Chicken PorridgeBaked Pomfret With Veggie Brown RiceTasty Avocado Chicken QesadillaFish Vegetable Cutlets30 Minute Meal:Sesame chicken with Sauteed Cabbage salad and Red Potato Oven FriesChicken MechbousCarribean Style Kabobs with Rice and BeansAlmond Crusted Salmon With Brown rice and Kale
Satisfying Snacks\Starters
Cranberry Chicken SatayBaked Jalapeno PoppersLadies Fingers(Okra) FriesChickpeas Corn VadaMustard Greens Mozzarella MunchiesStuffed Turnip GreensMethi Onion PakodasFruity Nutty Mix (Panjeri)Fruit Chaat(Spicy Fruit Mix)Dahi Vade\Bade(Lentil Balls in Yogurt)Okra Fritters(Bhendi Pakodas) Cauliflower LollipopsBeet Hummus With Multigrain chipsPita Chips with HummusBeet Hummus with Pita ChipsLavash N Baba GanoushGuacamole with Multigrain chipsPlantain ChipsSpice Pumpkin SeedsAvocado Edamame Spread\Dip with CrostiniSpicy Chickpeas(Chole Chaat)Lentil Sprouts CutletsFenugreek(Methi) Soy Vegetable cutlets
Scrumptious Cookies ,Bars, Biscotti and more
Fruit Chocolate and Almonds Granola BarsCrunchy Oats Dates Bars and Oat’s Beauty SecretA Well-balanced Chocolate Granola BarBlue berry Almond Butter Oats BarsVegan Fiber-rich Flax Oats Almond Raisins Bars Beet Oat SquaresFruity Chunky Chocolate Cookies(Vegan)Fig Linzer CookiesAlmondCherryBananaCookies(Eggless)BiscottiChocolate Cherry Almond BiscottiCrunchy croutonsGranola CookiesSesame Pistachio Cookies(Barazek)Whole Wheat Ginger Spice CookiesDark Chocolate Pecan CookiesMamoul cookiesMilan cookiesCardamom CookiesUrad Laddu(Sweet Lentil Balls)
Delectable Desserts
Chocolate and Caramelized fruit CakePlum ClafoutisChocolate Covered StrawberriesPoached Pears With Ginger Dates SauceChocolate Zucchini CakeBeet Cheese TreatsSheer Khorma,an Eid DelicacySaffron Dry Fruit Sevia(Vermicelli)Chocolate Pistachio RollsCheese Apple SouffleLemon Ricotta Almond CakeRose FlanEggless Chocolate Pumpkin piePumpkin FlanBanana Chocolate Bundt cakeNutella Chocolate Cake With Pomegranates and CranberriesI can’t believe its so easy Carrot PuddingMy first Daring Baker’s Challenge :Caramel Cake with Caramelized Butter FrostingFrench Yule LogApricot TrifleSweet Potatoes Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese FrostingDaring Bakers Challenge :Strawberry Tuiles Hearts with Strawberry Cream CheeseCranberry Creme BruleeSaffron Orange BasundiStrawberry Cobbler with Orange Frozen YogurtInvestigating Trans fats.Margarine or Butter or Shortening? which is worse?.And Spiced-up Mini Peach TartsSweet Potato Pie with Caramelized Nut toppingFlourless Chocolate Cup cakes with No-Churn Pomegranate Ice CreamAlmond Stuffed DatesChocolate Sweet Potato Marble Bundt Cake Chocolate Tofu Cheesecake with Berry GlazeGrapefruit Dark Chocolate CakeLow fat Apple StrudelPoached Pears with Saffron Rhubarb saucePlum Bakewell TartCherry Blue berry CrumbleDate BallsBasbousa(Semolina Cake)Kunafa,Arabic Sweet PastryCocoa MacaroonsChocolate TrufflesSensational Sesame TreatsDates Chocolate RugelachChocolate TrufflesVegan Chocolate Avocado MousseMini Gingerbread HouseFruity Tiramisu
Grilling Fun
Grilled Corn and Red Pepper Salad with Mint HarissaHoney Glazed PlumsGrilled Corn and Chicken With Chimichurri sauceGrilled Vegetable Kabob With Spicy Franks
Frozen Treats
French Yule LogNo-churn Pomegranate Ice Cream On Flourless Chocolate Cup CakesStrawberry Rhubarb Ice PopsRoasted Banana Nut IceDreamPeach MelbaCoconut Peach Cranberry Freeze
Special Diets and Special Posts
Sample Pregnancy Meal PlanNursing Moms RecipesCalcium Rich :Dairy and Gluten Free recipesCalcium Rich :Dairy,Seafood,Veggie recipesEgg less recipesTears in Patience&#160;: Nabeel’s Battle with AsthmaVegan thankgiving:Stuffed Phyllo Shells,Fruit and Nut Saffron Brown Rice Pilaf and Chocolate Pumpkin pie
32436 notes
2,524 notes / 3 weeks ago / reblog
tealates:

Nomz

this looks incredibly delicious!!
1,910 notes / 3 weeks ago / reblog
thefameofhealthandfitness:

dancewithmydemons:

Maybe my most important post to date…
Do you ever wonder why the majority of competitors/ fitness models gain so much weight in the few days after a show? Women often 20-25 pounds? Or maybe you dieted hard for a vacation/wedding etc and right after you immediately gained the weight back and it then took months to then lose it again??
I am going to try to break this down as simple as possible as it pertains to EVERYONE. 
Your metabolic rate (metabolism) is he single and only factor that determines fat loss. Not caloric deficit, not doing endless hours of cardio. Without metabolism you are dead in the water. You could ea no carbs/ fats, finish each day in a 500 calorie deficit, doing 2 hours of cardio, but with no metabolic or low metabolic rate you cannot and will not lose bodyfat.
Now lets examine why and how metabolic rate becomes damaged. Things that damage metabolic rate
1) Doing constant steady state/low intensity cardio (spin class, walking on treadmill, stairmaster, eliptical, etc etc) You lose the fat burning component of steady state cardio very quickly. I will never understand why competitors do 2 cardio sessions per day when they are not getting a fat burning effect, but rather just eating up muscle and reducing metabolism.
2) Restricting calories too much. More specifically not having enough fats and good carbs in your diet.
3) Not understanding the math behind what you are doing. If you are eating 1200 calories per day and burning 500-1000 in your workouts you are damaging your metabolic rate.
4) Finishing everyday at caloric deficit will damage metabolic rate. this is why carb cycling has become so popular. It allows for support of metabolic rate thusly preventing the damage.
Things that build metabolic rate
1) Lifting weights, building muscle. High intensity lifting. Women i cannot stress this enough. You need to lift hard, heavy and often. You dont get bulky from lifting weights, you get bulky from the cupcakes you eat. Adding muscle adds to metabolic rate, more specifically the more muscle you have the more calories your body burns
2) HIIT cardio. High intensity interval training. This is the only type of cardio the body does no adapt to. It supports metabolic rate as well as has the fat burning component.
3) Getting enough quality calories. You need to eat to lose fat. You need to eat to build muscle. You starve yourself, you starve your fat loss ability.
The majority of competitors and so called professional coaches are fools. Their science is wrong. They prescribe you these low calorie diets with endless amounts of cardio and the minute your show ends you gain back tons of weight, they then tell you its because you binged too much. Wrong wrong wrong. Complete bullshit. What really happened was that during your dieting process you constantly chipped away at your metabolism. So for example lets say a healthy adult female burns 1500 calories per day without any exercise. Most competitors by the time of their show have damaged their metabolic rate so much that their BMR may be as low as 2-300 calories per day. So the minute the show is over and you eat a few normal meals, while not doing the double cardio sessions your body immediately gains bodyfat and fast. A normal healthy person would have their metabolism to keep them in check.
Here is a perfect example. Most of you know my GF is 2-time World Bikini Champion Chady Dunmore. Shes well known for being lean and photoshoot ready year round. How? Does she do cardio everyday? Is her diet super strict? Nope. She simply doesnt follow the bullshit above. She goes by truth not myth. She eats a well balanced diet of around 2000 calories per day. She lifts hard and heavy 4-5 days per week with almost no cardio. Last year when she competed in the world championships she did nothing more to her weekly routine mentioned above than simply add 1-2 intense HIIT sessions per week and stop cheat meals 3 weeks out. She stepped on stage at a ripped 132. Flash forward 4 weeks after her show. She had many many cheat meals. We spent a week in Mexico for her bday eating whatever we wanted, consuming a few tropical alcoholic beverages, doing zero cardio and got in a few lifting sessions. She came back from Mexico at around 135 and id suspect the 3 pounds she gained was nothing more than some water retention from the salty foods and glycogen in her muscles from excessive yummy carbs. Why did she not rebound like so many?? HER HIGH METABOLISM KEPT THE WEIGHT GAIN AT BAY!!!
Follow science not myth people. Protect yourself. For more information on this video from a true man of science Dr. Layne Norton please watch this video and subscribe to his channel
http://youtu.be/QHHzie6XRGk
Hope this helped and opened some eyes.
Thanks-JD
www.joeydfitness.com

Love this post by Joe Donnelly - must read!
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25,275 notes / 3 weeks ago / reblog
reefclub:

*drooling*
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