Showing posts with label Foods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foods. Show all posts
*we planned it so many time but our busy 
life paused us now after a long time finally 
                                                  we met and had a very nice DATE!*
                                                    -----------------------------
Yes it's a 'Date'. Don't think it's a normal date it's a shopping date with my childhood friend. Of-course the person is a girl and it's a typical girly post ;-)

So first of all I would like to introduce my friend, Somorita Barua. She is a fashion designing student and the owner of styledoscope.blogspot.in
We went to a very renowned shopping center in Kolkata. When two crazy blogger met what can be happen!!!
Yes we scrolled all the shops, bought staffs, had lunch, watched movie, gossiped so much and did a mini dinner. I guess we returned back at 9.30pm and we met at 11am. We even didn't realize how did we spent the whole day and suddenly our parents rang us. The time was not enough for us. We needed more time and more money ;-p
Okay starting with our selfies ~




Our Look Of The Day~
  






our shopping cart~




My fav among all

I Bought ~
Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector 
(got a Free gift~ Clinique Pore Minimizer Sirum)
 Lakme 9 to 5 Lip Liner Beige Pink
Tribal Zone Ear Ring  
Rubber Band and Bobby pin Set from Shoppers Stop 
Sleeveless Strap Summer Kurti From Shoppers stop
Utility Box (I'll use it as a cosmetic box)

Somo Bought ~
 Colorbarbar USA BB Cream
Fabindia Vitamin E De-pigmentation Cream
 Maybelline the Colossal Liner
Double Slit Maxi Skirt from Pantaloons 

Trail room is every girls fav place and we used it honestly very badly 
A little peep of what we trail...
   I almost bought the peplum dress but could not get the exact size, it was a little big for me :-(
After doing all the shopping we had lunch and went to Inox.
 We were soooo hungry and enjoyed this Afghani Kabab platter .....
 We really enjoyed a lot n will plan again n again ... Right Somo?

we love to pout❤

                                                                                                                             ❤XoXo❤
                                                                                                                                     Tee... 
                                                              


Valentine week is going on and boys are already thinking for their pocket. Why always boys??? This Valentine's day pamper your men with something special. Yes, girls can also make them feel special.
Here I'm going to tell you some different gift ideas.
Some priceless Ideas
Hand made cards and decals: If he is an emotional person who loves you more than anything then he can see the love behind your efforts.



well those are made by my sis & me.
Lunch or Dinner: There is a old quotation " The way to a Man's heart is through his stomach..." Cooking food for man is a good way to win his affections. Make anything what he loves and give him in a personalized Tiffin box. If u can't make hold on, book a special table for lunch/dinner in this valentines day or any special occasion. Even I'm going to do this. My Mr.Would be is a big food lover but likes only yes only Bengali cuisine and kababs nothing else not even desserts(ice cream or any sweets). So I'm planning for Kewpie's or Bhojohori Manna or Kasturi Restaurant.
Hand made frame: make a frame with photos and seal your special moments. This wall frame always make him happy.

Handwritten letters: I think it is more meaningfull than an email or text. Yes give him a beautiful sweet love note. Write it on a hand made paper it gives a special look. And also u can spray your perfume on it before sealing. Then every word of love along with the perfume will make him think of you. Also you can seal your notes in a love Jar.


A Sweet Box: Well it's a little costly but if your Valentine loves sweets then it will make him happy.





Scrapbooks: I must say it is not only for girls. Who will not love a scrapbook filled with special moments? Not only your special moments, pics from his childhood, souvenirs & future plans of him, special events that describe his life. Also u can add some sweet notes, some love quotes and poems to him. Believe me it's an unique treasure to your guy.

Some quotes or words that make him Happy
 “I Care”
"You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me."
 “You’re not alone in any situation"
“Do you want a hug?”
 "I don’t want to say I couldn’t live without you, I just

wouldn’t want to."
"My heart races the moment I see you."
" I still get butterflies when you come around."
“I can’t really fully understand what you are feeling,

but I can offer my compassion.”
 “You are important to me.”
"I hope we can grow old together."
“If you need a friend….. (and mean it)”
"If loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right."
"It feels like time stops when you kiss me."

And so on...
Flowers: Everyone love flowers. Yes Men also.
Some Useful gift ideas:
Garments are always useful.
Male grooming kit: Important for men. In budget also.

Pens: It's a gift for any age.
Personalized gifts: Personalized gifts with photos&notes like Photo Crystal Gifts, Pics on Stone, Photo Mugs, Personalized Pens, Key rings,Custom T-shirts and so many. You can find here
Pricy Gifts:
Hand stamped vintage crafts like a silver spoon. It's creative and always makes thoughts about you.


Belts Wallets and Sunglasses from a good brand.
Books for readers.
Head-phone for a music lover.
Lather Jackets and Gloves for Riders.
Extravagant Gifts: Well If you have enough then go for a watch brands like Titan, Tommy Hilfiger, Fossil,Guess,Rolex,Tissot,Diesel,Omega,Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Patek Philippe and so many. Even some of this brands range starts at 5or6k. If you are searching for really expensive then go for a i-phone or a Rado with diamonds.


I think it's more than enough. Those are not only Valentine's Day gift ideas you can give in any occations.
My little hand made gift and traditional Bengali food (something like this without any dessert) for my man... I can't say whats inside it...

                                                                                                                                XoXo
                                                                                                                                 Tee...


It’s been said we are what we eat, and that sentiment definitely holds true when it comes to our skin.  It’s our body’s biggest organ, and it deserves all the nutritional TLC we can give it. So take a look at what you’ve been feeding yourself, and therefore feeding your skin. 
One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A, and probably one of the best sources of it is low-fat dairy products. It could be said the health of our skin depends on vitamin A. Low-fat yogurt is not only high in vitamin A, but also acidophilus, the "live" bacteria that is good for intestinal health. Turns out, it may also have an impact on the skin, since it aids in digestion.  Other good sources of vitamin A include cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, and fortified breakfast cereals.
It’s important to also make sure you’re eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are plentiful. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect the skin cells, so there is less chance for damage.  This in turn guards against premature aging, and keeps skin looking younger longer.  Other fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants include artichokes, black, red, and pinto beans, prunes, and pecans.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential to your skin. Include salmon, walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed.  EFAs keep cell membranes healthy, and allow nutrients to pass through.
We also need healthy oils, which contain more than essential fatty acids. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall.  Look for oils that are cold pressed, such as olive or extra virgin oil.  We only need about two tablespoons a day of healthy oils, so use wisely.
Selenium plays an important role in the health of skin cells. Turn to foods like Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts for this important nutrient.  Recent studies show that if selenium levels are high, even skin damaged by the sun may only suffer minimal, if any, damage.
Choosing the whole grain versions of complex carbohydrates can have a significant effect on insulin levels. Processed and refined sugars can cause inflammation that may ultimately be linked to skin break outs.
Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it protects the membrane of the cell. It may even help prevent or reduce skin cancer risks.  
Water plays such an important role in your overall health, and it has a profound effect on your skin’s health as well.  Well-hydrated skin is healthy and young-looking.  It also helps move the toxins out of your system so they have less chance to do damage.
Here is an exclusive strategy to help you shape up in 2013.

Celebrity trainer Wayne Duigan's Fresh & Trim diet strategy program can help you reduce all the unwanted flab. The diet strategy plan involves cutting out 'toxic' meals that motivate the system to store fat - such as liquor, glucose and unhealthy meals. Meals on James's diet strategy program are complete of seafood, lean meat - such as poultry and poultry - and fresh, ideally organic vegetables.

 Jennei says, "My diet strategy works on the principle that your body's organic state is lean and fit, not gradual and fat. But unhealthy meals and drinks and excess glucose contaminate the system, causing fat to stick to the waist, thighs, bum and belly. However, as soon as you stop doing the wrong thing, your system reacts very quickly, and you'll get lean quick. But you have to believe you can do it. It doesn't matter how often you have failed in the past. What matters now is focusing on what you want and acting."

Food rules Make these changes to what you eat strategy to shed bodyweight and get a smooth belly fast!

1 Cut the C.R.A.P: Avoid the four main types that cause fat to stick to our bodies: caffeine, refined glucose, liquor and unhealthy meals.

2 But allow yourself a weekly 'cheat' food. Once a week, enjoy an indulgent food of whatever you fancy, from creamy rice to a slice of delicious chocolate cake with cream. As ong as you're consuming clean, sensible meals the rest of enough time, an occasional high-fat treat actually speeds up your metabolism.

3 Take seafood oil supplements: They burn fat and supply fat.

4 Always have breakfast: Eat within one hour of getting out of bed. If you don't have here we are at a proper morning hours food, just grab a piece of fruit and a few nuts.

5 Don't eat after 8pm: Eating a large food in the evening when your human is reducing down or sleeping is a bad idea for your digestive function and bodyweight.

Five meals trades for smooth Abs

Bad croissants: Loaded with fat, glucose and no goodness Dairy products Most non-organic milk is full of testosterone Standard yogurt Most are complete of glucose Marg. Loaded with chemicals Beer Great glucose and calories

Better toasted bread bread: Fibre is excellent for digestive function Organic milk It's chemical-free Organic yogurt It's totally exempt from pesticides Olive oil spread Loaded with fat Organic cider Less liquor and calorie consumption.

Best spelt bread: No tummy-bloating gluten

Organic almond milk: Doesn't contain lactose that can cause stomach ache Organic full-fat yogurt Makes you experience complete and is less sugary than low-fat options Organic butter Natural and preservative 100 % free Good red wine Grape skin contains resveratrol, an excellent antioxidant

Tummy toning moves

James Duigan says, "Exercise wiser, not harder. So, if you are human extra fat, don't go mad with work out - get more out of less." These goes can help you get a slimmer belly as they reduce stress levels testosterone in the system, which motivate fat around your middle.

Breathing squat

- Go slow and low and do it again 10 times

- Stand with legs neck size apart, hands out and similar to floor

 - Breathe in through the nose, then reduced your bottom down as far as is still relaxed while breathing out l Pause for a few seconds, then inhale as you come up

Energy push Excellent for digestive function - breathe slowly and do it again 20 times

- Take a relaxed position with legs neck size apart, hands in front of you, hands facing down

- Breathe in and pull hands returning towards your shoulders

- Breathe out, pushing your hands returning out to starting position Leg tuck Excellent for reduced abs - do it again 10 times

- Lie returning, legs on ground, legs curved l Breathe in then bring legs into your chest as you exhale

- Breathe in again as you return you to the floor

Your meals plan

Stick to this diet strategy arrange for two weeks to start your losing bodyweight. It's best to begin on a weekend, when you have more a chance to get everything ready. Plus, you won't experience so stressed or hurried, which means you'll be less likely to yield to a mid-afternoon delicious treat.

Day 1 Breakfast: Omelette made with three egg whites and full of 75g sliced combined sweet peppers and a few spinach

Mid-morning snack: 100g poultry with ½ red spice up, sliced

Lunch: One cooked poultry, combined healthy salad leaves, red sweet peppers, peas and ¼ tablespoons olive oil

Mid-afternoon snack: 100g poultry breasts with ¼ cucumber, sliced

Dinner: 100g cooked poultry with steamed broccoli

Day 2 Breakfast: Cooked poultry with a few stir-fried kale

Mid-morning snack: 100g poultry breasts and ½ organic spice up, sliced

Lunch: Cooked haddock fillet with combined organic healthy salad, with ½ tablespoons olive oil

Mid-afternoon snack: 100g poultry breasts with 75g steamed broccoli

Dinner: One seafood meal with sliced dill and steamed organic beans

Day 3 Breakfast: 100g used seafood, plus spinach

Mid-morning snack: 100g poultry with ½ yellow spice up, sliced

Lunch: One cooked poultry with garden healthy salad and ½ tablespoons olive oil

Mid-afternoon snack: 100g poultry pieces with ¼ avocado

Dinner: One cooked lamb meal (or two cutlets); steamed oatmeal and spinach.
The major complaint of those who use the Atkins diet is the intestinal problems that are associated with reducing carbohydrates. These problems can include constipation and diarrhea. These symptoms can happen to anybody at some point, but those who follow a low-carb diet are especially prone.

Most commonly dieters will experience diarrhea during the early days of induction. This is a result of the body getting rid of excess carbohydrates. It also marks the beginning of the ketosis process. So in actuality, experiencing diarrhea at the beginning of the diet is a good thing. It indicates that you are on the road to becoming a fat burning machine.

Constipation is a side effect of lack of fiber in the low carb diet. Whole grains, legumes and fruit are the normal sources of dietary fiber, and they are all restricted on the Atkins diet’s initial phases.

However, you shouldn’t be scared off from the low-carb way of life because of these issues. There are simple solutions that can prevent and help with these symptoms and allow you to continue with staying on the diet plan.

The first tip is to make sure to include the proper amount of low-carb vegetables in your daily diet. In the induction phase, you can eat up to 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. This is roughly equal to 3 cups of salad vegetables. Some people are tempted to use their carbohydrate grams on cheese or artificially sweetened soda. Eating acceptable vegetables is a vital part of maintaining intestinal health while following the Atkins plan. It’s also important to drink a minimum of 8 eight-ounce glasses of water per day and get exercise. Both of these steps can help with intestinal programs.

If you are experiencing constipation specifically, then there are many methods for relief. When you switch from a diet full of processed and refined sugar products, your body will need some time to adjust to this new way of eating. You’ll need to make sure to up your fiber intake with acceptable vegetables and fruits (certain fruits are allowed after the initial induction phase). You can also try a fiber supplement like sugar-free Metamucil.

Make sure you are eating enough fats and oils. Constipation can be a result of too little fat in your diet. Adding tablespoon of olive oil or flax oil to salads or other vegetables can help your intestinal health. Also, try to incorporate a variety of vegetables in your salad. Pale iceberg lettuce does not have much fiber in it. Try dark green lettuces or have a serving of dark green steamed veggies (broccoli, asparagus or spinach are good choices).

If these tips don’t work, try cutting out all salt from your diet for a couple of days. This includes pickles, mustard, diet soda, ham, bacon and bottled salad dressing. This will decrease your fluid retention and sometimes helps with bowel movements.

Diarrhea should not be a problem after the first week of the Induction plan. However, on rare occasion, it does persist longer. First, analyze your diet. If you are eating low carb protein bars or other sugar free products, eliminate them. They may contain sweeteners like glycerine, sorbitol and malitol which are known to cause diarrhea and gas. Homemade low carb desserts may also be a cause of problems. Most of them use maltodextrin, an artificial sweetener used in baking. Maltodextrin is made from corn and can cause problems for some people.

If you are not used to eating raw vegetables everyday, this may be a cause of diarrhea. Understand that your body will adjust to the vegetables and the intestinal side effects won’t last forever. Make sure you are chewing your raw vegetables thoroughly. Also, using lightly steamed vegetables rather than raw can be a solution to this problem.

Intestinal problems are common during the first portion of the Atkins diet. Keep in mind, however, that these problems will go away within the first few weeks of the new way of eating. If the problems persist, try the previously mentioned tips to get relief.
A lot of people these days are trying to make their health better.  No matter where you turn, from TV to newspapers, you’ll see stories about people and how bad their health actually is.  Even though there are many different companies out there that offer vitamins and supplements and claim that they will change your healthy, you’ll need to research what they offer and sure that you aren’t just wasting your money.

If you are looking to improve your health, you’ll need to at many different vitamin supplements to find which ones are the best for you.  You should look at everything available, and not just try a few to see what happens.  Dieting is the ideal place to start, as it can make the most improvements on your health.  Dieting can change your body, and make you feel a lot better as well.

These days, a lot of people eat way too much sweets and sugar, choosing refined products over healthy food.  Even though it isn’t a bad thing to enjoy sweets and chocolate, you should never make a habit out of it.  You can still enjoy your favorite foods as well, although you should be looking at the healthy benefits of food as well and think of everything as a whole.

If you include healthy foods such as salads, vegetables, and fruit into your diet, you’ll be eating healthy.  Protein is also beneficial to your health, as it promotes the growth of your muscle.  Those of you, who are serious about eating healthy but are unsure where to start, should contact a nutritionist.  They will be able to tell you where to start, and how to achieve a healthy diet that will chance your life.

Even though you may be eating healthy or trying to eat healthy, you’ll probably find yourself wondering about vitamins and supplements and how much of an impact they have on your diet.  Dieticians are ideal to consult with these types of questions, as they can answer any questions relating to vitamins that you have.  They can also tell you which supplements are ideal to your health, and which ones you should include in your diet.

Different people will have different needs and requirements, making it essential to get advice from a qualified professional.  If you get the advice from a professional, you’ll know what you can add to your diet.  If you try to do it all yourself without the advice of a professional, you can end up not getting enough in your diet, or you could end up taking something that you shouldn’t be taken.

Exercise is also important to your diet and your health.  Although supplements and vitamins will go a long way, exercise will do a lot for your body.  If you exercise on a regular basis, and take the right supplements and vitamins with your diet, you’ll notice that you have more energy and you feel better than you ever have in your life.

Before you start with your new diet or rush out and buy your new vitamin supplements, you should always check with your doctor first to see if he has any recommendations.  You should also tell him what type of exercise you are planning on doing, and see if there are any complications with your health.  Getting a healthy lifestyle is always a great thing, although you should always consult with your doctor.  This way, you’ll know the best way to start and how to go about getting in the best shape of your life.
When you start the Atkins diet, you are entering a new world of eating. And nowhere is that more apparent than at the supermarket. Suddenly, all of your stand-by foods like macaroni and cheese, pasta and bread are no longer on your shopping list. When you go shopping for the first few times you may feel like a fish out of water. However, with a bit of practice you’ll feel just as comfortable as you were with your previous shopping lists.

Successful Atkins shopping starts before you reach the store. There are many resources for shopping lists online and in Atkins books. Before you head for the store, make a list of the week’s recipes and then decide what you’ll need to make each meal. Make sure to purchase low-carb snacks for in between meals.

Also, plan for modifications to the meals for other people in your home. You won’t be able to make totally different meals for yourself and your family for the long term. The best approach is to use the main meat dish for your meal for the entire family and then a carbohydrate side dish for your family. For example, if you are eating meatloaf you can add half a potato for the other members of your family.

Once you’ve made your meal plan for the week, its time to hit the store. When you arrive, buy your protein items and produce first. This may sound very simple and like it won’t make much difference, but it will. Once you’ve filled your cart with all of the acceptable foods, there won’t be room for much more.

Consider buying your meat in bulk. This will save you lots of money if you know where to get family sized packages of meat. When you buy meat in large quantities, you can also cook it in bulk as well. Taking time a few days per week to cook meat makes it simple to follow the Atkins plan. You can cook your meat before hand and have it ready to go when you need it. You can purchase ground beef, chicken pieces, small steaks and even seafood in bulk.

Cheese, if you can tolerate it, can also be purchased in bulk. Many stores offer store-brand cheese in large bricks. You’ll need to make sure to read the labels before you purchase any cheese. Make sure that when you eat cheese to eat some fiber (salad or raw veggies) as well. Having large blocks of your favorite cheeses on hand can make it easy to grab a quick snack between meals.

As you walk around the store, stick to the outer edges. The outer aisles have the freshest food. Think about your neighborhood grocery store. Most often the deli, the meat counter and the produce section are all along the sides of the store with the packaged items in the aisles. This is especially important if you are in the initial phases of the Atkins diet. You’ll want to stay away from all packaged foods during induction, even if they are low carb packaged foods. Once you add more carbohydrate grams to your daily limit, you can start to experiment with low-carb packaged foods.

That leads to the next important tip – read the labels! Just because an item says it is low carb, it may have hidden sugars. Do your investigative work at the grocery store so you won’t get home with products that cause you to gain weight.
Shopping for the Atkins diet will take some time to get used to. You’ll be navigating parts of the grocery store that you may not be familiar with. You’ll also be purchasing items you’ve never cooked before. However, with planning and dedication low carb shopping will become easier. Just remember to make a list before you visit the store and stay toward the outer aisles of the grocery store. In no time, you’ll be an experienced low carb shopper.
The Atkins diet is one of the most popular low carbohydrate diets on the market today. Its popularity has sparked dozens of look-a-like diets who center on the same principles of high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating. There are a lot of fish in the sea when it comes to choosing a low-carbohydrate plan.

Studies have shown that low-carbohydrate eating has many benefits. There have been scientific results that low-carbohydrate diets like Atkins do create significant weight loss without having to restrict calories. People who use the Atkins diet have also reported this. There are studies that show that low-carb eating improves triclycerides, reduces blood glucose for diabetics and pre-diabetics and increases good cholesterol (HDL). Low-carbohydrate dieting has been scientifically proven to improve insulin sensitivity, decrease blood pressure and lower blood insulin levels. When compared with low-fat diets, low-carb dieters lose less muscle mass.

Although not scientifically proven, there are many common benefits reported by Atkins dieters and other low-carb dieters. These include an increase in energy, a reduced craving for sweets, better concentration, improved mood and an lessening of depression type symptoms.

However, there are also some benefits that are specific to the Atkins diet. If you have been a low fat dieter in previous years, you’ll enjoy eating all of those “forbidden foods” that you once had to go without. Steak, butter and cream are a regular part of Atkins dieters’ meals. There is a certain pleasure that goes along with eating foods that were once off limits. Atkins dieters are encouraged to eat their full of rich meats, cheeses and fats and oils.

Atkins is also simple to use, compared with some other low-carb diets on the market. There are some basic food carbohydrate counts that you’ll need to learn, but after that, you are free to eat from the acceptable food lists.

Dr. Atkins also emphasized finding your own personal carbohydrate level. Different people have different levels of carbohydrate tolerance. While some gain weight on just 90 carbohydrate grams a day, others can live comfortably at 120 carbohydrate grams. During the ongoing weight loss phase and pre-maintenance phase of the diet, you will learn your personal carbohydrate count that will help determine your carbohydrate goal for life.

The popularity of Atkins is a double-edged sword for dieters. There is a lot of information available on the diet, which makes it easy to find resources and support. There have been many, many Atkins books written and there are endless amounts of websites that offer tips and group support. However, everyone has heard of Atkins and probably has an opinion on it. There are some big misconceptions out there about the nature of the diet, and you’ll no doubt have to defend your new way of eating from time to time.

There are some other minimal downsides to using the Atkins program. You do need to count carbohydrates in everything you eat to make sure that you are staying within your personal carbohydrate range. There is also the issue of Induction, the most hotly debate aspect of the plan. Induction can be difficult to get through if you’ve had a diet that centers on carbs and sugar. Also, many people try Induction and mistakenly believe that this is the way that the whole diet is going to be. They end up quitting before they get into the actual Atkins plan.

Sometimes, although it is not common, people will experience a carb crash on the 3rd to 5th day of the diet. This reaction is a result of their body finally experiencing ketosis, or running on fat instead of carbohydrates. The effects are transient, but many people have sworn off low-carb diets entirely because of this happenstance.

Overall, with the minor drawbacks considered, Atkins is one of the most popular low-carb diets for a reason. It works. Thousands of people have had success with the Atkins approach to the low-carb way of living.
If you are experiencing a stall or plateau in your Atkins weight loss efforts, you are not alone. This occurs from time to time. However, you first must make sure that you have actually reached a plateau point.

A plateau means that you have gone an extended period of time without losing weight or inches. It’s important to take your measurements before you start your weight loss plan, in addition to your weight. On some weeks it may not seem like you are losing any at all on the scale. But a quick look at your measurements will prove otherwise.

On the Atkins diet you are replacing fat with muscle, which is denser and heavier. You might actually gain a little weight because you are building muscle to replace your fat. The result will be an increase on the scale, but a decrease in your inches. Your body will be smaller and leaner, but you may weigh the same.

Before you start your program, measure your chest, waist, hips, upper arms, thighs and calves. You never know where you may be losing inches, so it’s important to have these comprehensive measurements to refer to. It is normal to go through periods where you body is readjusting. Remember that you are reforming the composition of your body and this process will take some time. Check your measurements once a week, just like your weight, and you can track your overall progress.

There may be periods of 3 to 4 weeks where you have a stall in weight loss, but a loss in inches. Or vice versa. Using both methods to track your fat loss is the best assurance for an accurate measure of your progress. These stall periods are not a reason to quit or to give up. They are natural parts of the weight loss process.

Stalls may occur more frequently if you are 5 to 10 pounds away from being at your goal weight. By following a low-carb, high-protein way of eating you have created a lot more muscle in your body. Your muscle-to-fat ratio is higher than ever before, so your body might be resisting losing anymore fat. It may be time to rethink your goal weight. Perhaps your body is trying to tell you something and its time to start maintaining your weight loss rather than trying to lose more.

There are some other possible causes of stalls and plateaus on the road to weight loss. If you’ve gone four weeks with no change in weight or measurements and you are nowhere near your goal weight, you can try a few different methods to get yourself out of the rut. First, make sure your carbohydrate level is in check. If you are eating too many carbohydrate grams per day, your weight loss will stall. Look for hidden carbohydrates in packaged foods, dressings and sauces to make sure they aren’t the culprits in your plateau.

Check your daily water intake. When you are dehydrated, your body will retain water and that can mimic a plateau. Water will also help flush ketones from your system and make more room for new fat burning ketones.

Undereating can also be a cause for weight loss plateaus. Make sure not to let yourself go hungry and eat smaller, more frequent meals. Remember, you are on a carbohydrate-restricted diet, not a calorie-restricted diet. Make sure to have some protein with every meal and snack. Never go more than 5 hours without eating something (except overnight of course). Also, eat freely from the acceptable foods. Don’t try to count calories or restrict your calorie intake. When your body gets too few calories, it goes into starvation mode and will hold onto fat cells.

Increasing your exercise level can help get you through a plateau as well. As your muscles get used to working out at a certain level, you’ll have to increase the duration or the intensity in order to keep challenging your body. Add a new exercise into the mix, or try increasing weight in resistance training.

Trying one of these methods will most likely get your weight loss back on track. Remember that occasional stalls are normal, but they do not have to last.
The pH miracle diet is an exciting new way for people to take control of their health. By lowering your dependence on acid producing foods and raising your intake of alkali foods you can attain optimum health. The pH scale is from 1 to 14 , 1 being very acidic and 14 being very alkaline. The blood in the human bloodstream tends to run slightly alkaline at 7.35. All foods, beverages and in fact everything we put into our bodies will breakdown into acid or alkali. The body will store and eliminate excess amounts of these things respectively. An excess amount of acid stored in the body will cause the blood to cluster in the bloodstream, causing fatigue and trauma to the body on the cellular level. When there is so much shutdown going on in the body, the immune system will be lowered allowing disease and illness to enter. By keeping the balance of the pH level in the body at 7.35 you can ensure good health. Eating more alkaline foods and avoiding overly acidic foods a proper balance can be maintained. Researching which foods are alkalizing and which ones are acidifying will give you the power to make informed choices. Knowing where you are on the pH scale will determine what changes you need to implement into your daily routine. The monitoring of this balance can be achieved through the regular use of pH saliva test strips. With so much riding on proper technique and form, the level of personal accountability can be rather high for the first time dieter, especially if they are used to other diets that don’t require as much responsibility as the pH diet. This can be a daunting task for many starting out on the pH miracle diet. Here are two common mistakes and their solutions.

Trying to add too much alkaline into the system is a common pitfall many overly enthusiastic dieters fall into. The purpose of the pH miracle diet is to create a permanent way of living for you stressing the idea of balance. Many dieters want to solve the problem with a quick fix submerging them into an all alkali intake. This is going overboard with supplements and beverages promising to raise their alkaline levels to unhealthy levels. As stated earlier about too much acid in your bloodstream being unhealthy for you, so too can an overabundance of alkali. Many people focus on the claim that cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment, which is true, but nothing in the human body can survive very long in a purely alkali environment. Yes, it is true, too man alkalis can kill you. The key to life is everything in moderation and the pH diet is no exception. Acids and alkalis are meant to work in concert together. Acids serve your body and play a function in the breaking down of digested material. The stomach is an acid holding tank that converts food into energy. Alkaline waits in the intestinal tract for this newly energized material still hot with acidity and neutralizes it as the material is metabolized, absorbed and sent into the bloodstream. By keeping this harmonious partnership in synch you assure that your body’s pH levels stay within the optimum range.

Many people who start out don’t take enough time to look for complete listings of the pH levels of the foods they eat. There are many lists available online and in various books that offer food lists that break the groups down into acids and alkalis. Making sure to choose a comprehensive list will guarantee whole nutrition. A list that includes supplements, herbs, spices, and condiments is the most desirable. You want the most complete list possible including those foods which are neutral. Paying attention to how many foods are being ingested from the acid and alkali sides is a great way to ensure proper balance in the diet.
Cutting down on carbohydrates with the Atkins diet is easy when you see the wide variety of proteins and vegetables that are on the acceptable foods list. However, it does take some time and adjustment to get used to this new way of eating. A lot of the American diet centers around complex carbohydrate foods like breads and pastas. Snack foods are full of sugars and refined carbohydrates. This new way of eating will challenge your old habits. However, there are many carbohydrate substitutes that can fill in the gap.

Some of the most popular replacement items are sugar substitutes. These can be good or bad depending on how you react to them. Each person has a different reaction to artificial sweeteners like aspartame and Splenda. They can be helpful in baking low-carbohydrate treats and making things taste sweet without risking sugar use. However, many people find that using artificial sweeteners makes them crave sugar even more. If you find you want more sweet treats after drinking a diet soda or eating a snack made with Splenda, its best to eliminate them entirely from your diet.

Bread is the number one challenge that Atkins dieters face when looking at their new diet plans. Bread is a staple food for many people, and eliminating it can be somewhat of a problem. There are some low carb breads available out there, but you have to watch for hidden carbohydrates and other unacceptable ingredients. If you are ambitious, you can try making your own bread out of almond flour or other non-traditional flours.

Many people say that they love pasta, but people vary rarely eat it plain. The best part about pasta is the topping. So taking those toppings (meat, cheese and vegetables) and putting them over something else is an easy solution. Many people who follow the Atkins plan have found that squash makes a good pasta substitute. Spaghetti squash, a yellow orange gourd with stringy insides, is a natural base for homemade meat sauce. Zucchini is also a good pasta substitute. You can grate in into fine pieces or chunk it up into sections to act as a base for sauces. Lasagna is easily made with large pieces of eggplant as a substitute for the noodles. The meats and cheeses used in lasagna are low-carb so there’s nothing to worry about there.

Another common problem for Atkins dieters is finding a good substitute for rice. One popular solution is to use cauliflower. Simply place the cauliflower florettes in a food processor and chop them until they are rice sizes pieces. Then microwave the “rice” without water. The pieces will come out fluffy and ready to be used in casseroles or as part of a side dish.

Cauliflower is also a popular potato substitute for Atkins dieters. This time, puree the cauliflower until it is smooth and creamy, just like mashed potatoes. You can add your favorite low-carb topping to it like bacon, sour cream and cheese.

Pizza is a favorite food for many people, but there are Atkins friendly solutions for homemade pizzas that taste just as good. You can make small pizzas using low-carb tortillas as the crust. You can also use the same method with large Portobello mushrooms. If the alternative crust options don’t sound good to you, you can also try a pizza casserole with all of the ingredient layered in a casserole dish.
These substitutes will help you avoid indulging in your high-carb favorites while on the Atkins diet.