9 Health Reasons You Should Be Eating Less Meat

For centuries, meat has been an essential part of the human diet and has made its way into just about every meal. Now researchers have discovered that a high-protein diet, consisting largely of meats, may not be as healthy as once thought. The saturated fats, sodium content and antibiotics in meat may be the culprit for the number of diseases, cancers and illnesses occurring in those who eat it on a daily basis. Simply eating less meat may be the key to preventing these health problems, and here are 9 reasons why you should cut back today:

1. You’ll live longer: Although eating less meat may not necessarily add years to your life, it can prevent a premature death. Cutting back on red meat and processed meats may reduce your risk of developing heart disease and cancer, the two biggest killers of Americans. Red meat contains a high amount of saturated fat, which raises bad cholesterol levels and can increase your blood pressure making you more prone to having atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack.
2. You’ll reduce the risk for heart disease and diabetes: Eating fewer processed meats can have a significant impact on your health. Cutting back on bacon, sausage, hot dogs and cold cuts can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and help prevent diabetes. These meats contain a large amount of sodium and saturated fats, which can contribute to colorectal cancer, kidney problems and congestive heart failure.
3. You’ll reduce the chances of getting a bacterial infection: Eating less or no meat at all may be your best defense against the drug-resistant superbugs that are appearing in supermarket meats these days. Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been popping up in raw beef, chicken, turkey and cow’s milk, therefore, increasing the risk for hard-to-treat bacterial infections in humans. Staphylococcus aureus thrives in open wounds rather than in the gut, so handling meats contaminated with this strain of bacteria increases your chance for infection if you don’t take proper measures to protect your hands and cook your food thoroughly.
4. You’ll increase Vvegetable and fruit consumption: For years, Americans have been falling short of the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower the risk of obesity and certain chronic diseases, as well as reduce your chances of having heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. If you choose to eat less meat, you’ll have more opportunities to increase your fruit and vegetable consumption and reap the health benefits.
5. You’ll reduce the risk of osteoporosis: Eating less meat may reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis by maintaining a healthy bone density. Meats have been shown to leach calcium from bones, which can become a serious problem for the elderly. Low bone density can make people more susceptible to bone breaks and fractures with age. Therefore, cutting back on meat consumption and maintaining a healthy calcium intake can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
6. You’ll lose weight: Eating less meat may be the ticket to losing those extra pounds and maintaining a healthy weight. High-protein diets may be the culprit of weight gain and the reason why people can’t shed the unwanted pounds. Of course, exercise and lifestyle play a major role in the weight loss process, but cutting down on your daily meat consumption may help you lose the weight faster.
7. You’ll get enough protein: Increasing your meat consumption to get enough protein in your diet is not necessary. In fact, most people get enough protein from their diets without needing to add more meat to the mix. Cutting back on your meat consumption will not make a big difference in your protein intake or your health. Try replacing the meat you would have been eating with another high-protein source like eggs, milk, tofu or cottage cheese.
8. You’ll lower your cholesterol: Eating less meat can have a significant effect on your cholesterol. The saturated fats in meat raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack or angina. Reducing your meat consumption and replacing it with more fruits and vegetables can help lower your bad cholesterol levels and raise your good cholesterol levels.
9. You’ll reduce the risk of bowel cancer: Bowel cancer, also called colon cancer, is a deadly killer that takes thousands of lives every year. One important way to reduce your chances of developing bowel cancer is to eat less meat. Cutting back on meat, specifically red meat and processed meat, can significantly lower your chances of getting colon cancer because you’ll be lowering your fat intake.

10 Diseases That Totally Changed the World

It’s no secret that infectious diseases have had a profound impact on our world. They alter populations, impede progress, and can even be cause for new inventions. Here, we’ll take a look at 10 diseases that made a major change in our world, whether for good, bad, or both at the same time.

1. Smallpox: Smallpox was an extremely infectious disease that wiped out entire empires. It began in northern Africa, and popped up time and time again in repeat epidemics. It killed royalty and the poor alike, not controlled until the development of the world’s first vaccine in the 1700s.
2. Tuberculosis: While we have smallpox to thank for vaccines, we have tuberculosis for the promotion of pasteurization and the quest for antibiotics. Pasteurization was key to controlling TB, as it heats and kills TB pathogens and other contaminants in milk.
3. Autism: Autism is a terrible disease, leaving sufferers with the inability to fully relate to others and become obsessively locked into tasks. In its own strange way, autism has benefited the world by allowing scientists such as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein to produce the work of multiple people in their own lifetimes.
4. Influenza (all): Whether it’s H1N1, Avian, or the seemingly innocuous flu many suffer from each year, influenza is a serious illness. Influenza in all forms has had a major impact on the number of deaths in the modern world. It also influenced the course of WWI, killing soldiers and putting a strain on military health care.
5. Malaria: Malaria is a disease that is still prevalent in underdeveloped countries today. There is a cure for malaria now, but for more than a thousand years, there was none. Its cure, quinine, has a story that changed the world.
6. Cholera: Cholera is a disease that’s spread through a lack of clean water and poor or nonexistent sewage systems. The existence of this disease required a change, in the form of improved sanitation, which reduced cholera’s impact.
7. Bubonic plague: Also known as The Black Death, the bubonic plague was an incredibly devastating pandemic, which is estimated to have wiped out 75-200 million people in the 14th century, including 30%-60% of Europe’s population. It took Europe’s population 150 years to recover.
8. Epilepsy: The neurological disease epilepsy causes seizures, which include body clenching, shouting, and occasionally, strange visions. Some experts believe that prophets including Ezekiel, Joseph Smith, and Joan of Arc may have suffered from epilepsy, which would explain their religious visions.
9. Polio: Polio was a worldwide epidemic between 1840 and the 1950s, causing infections and even paralysis. Jonas Salk changed the world when he developed the inactivated polio virus vaccine in 1952, which causes nearly all who receive the vaccine to develop protective antibodies that prevent the disease.
10. Yellow Fever: Like malaria, yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease that has not been eradicated. This disease, which causes aching, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and other symptoms, can lead to multi-organ dysfunction and even death. It is believed to have influenced the Louisiana Purchase, pre WWII development in the US, and the Panama Canal. Its impact is limited primarily to the southern US, where mosquitoes can survive the winter.

Russian Science

100,000 Toothpicks Sculpture (25 Pics)

Scott Weaver spent 3,000 hours over the past 35 years to complete these amazing toothpicks project "Rolling through the Bay". He used over 100,000 toothpicks to build this incredible sculpture of San Francisco.

10 Ways The Mediterranean Diet Will Improve Your Health

Most people know that the Mediterranean Diet is a healthy way to eat, but what are the specific benefits? From better skin and mood to lower risk of chronic disease, learn the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet.

Do you love red wine? If so, the Mediterranean Diet may work for you. This diet allows regular (but moderate) consumption of red wine. But that’s not the only reason you should follow this diet. Research shows that it can prevent diseases and enhance weight loss.

The Mediterranean diet encourages high intake of fruits, veggies, whole grains, olive oil, and legumes. It discourages eating a lot of red meat. Fish and poultry are the preferred lean protein sources. Here’s how the Mediterranean diet can improve your health.

HOW THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET IMPROVES HEALTH

1. Mediterranean diet may improve heart health.

Adhering to the Mediterranean diet can improve heart health since this diet is abundant in omega 3s and monounsaturated fats.

Olive oil is a staple food in the Mediterranean diet, and this study found that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a compound found in olive oil, can lower risk of cardiac death by 30 percent. Another study found that extra-virgin olive oil helps reduce high blood pressure. 

2. Mediterranean diet may help you lose weight.

The Mediterranean diet has helped many people lose weight. This diet works because it encourages intake of high-fiber foods, which make it easier to control hunger.

The diet also focuses of nutrient-dense foods. These foods balance hormones, regulate blood sugar and boost energy levels.

3. Mediterranean diet may lower risk of Alzheimer’s.

According to this study, people who adhere to the Mediterranean diet have lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Olive oil, fruits, and veggies help prevent decline of brain function. They contain antioxidants which fight inflammation, and as a result lower risk of brain impairment.

4. Mediterranean diet may help you live longer.

The Mediterranean diet is mainly a combination of plant-based foods and healthy fats. A lot of evidence shows that these two food sources promote longevity. In fact, one studyfound that people who started following the Mediterranean diet after experiencing a heart attack had 45 percent lower risk of death compared to people who ate a low fat diet.

5. Mediterranean diet may lower risk of cancer.

Research shows that this diet can help fight cancer, because it contains high amounts of antioxidants, omega 3s, polyphenols, and fiber.

Antioxidants fight free radicals which damage cells and increase risk of cancer. Several studies show that olive oil can lower risk of bowel and colon cancer.

6. Mediterranean diet may lower risk of diabetes.

Adhering to this diet can help control excess insulin and balance blood sugar levels. The Mediterranean diet is also low in sugar. This means you won’t experience regular blood sugar spikes which may increase risk of diabetes.

7. Mediterranean diet may reduce stress.

Stress has lots of negative effects on our health. It weakens our immune system and causes weight gain and sleeplessness. Luckily, following the Mediterranean diet can reduce stress, because it’s so rich in vegetables. Eating more veggies can actually reduce stress and help you stay happy.

8. Mediterranean diet may improve skin health.

This diet contains vitamins and minerals that will keep your skin healthy. For instance, the antioxidants and vitamin E found in olive oil will keep your skin radiant. Red wine also contains resveratrol, which help keep the skin healthy.

9. Mediterranean diet fights inflammation.

Mediterranean diet staples are rich in antioxidants that fight inflammation. Mediterranean foods which fight inflammation include: dark green veggies, egg yolks, red wine, and beets.

10. Mediterranean diet may boost your mood.

Healthy fats have been proven to reduce depression and boost mood. Olive oil and avocados are great sources of healthy, unsaturated fats that can improve your mood and boost energy levels.

Top 11 Heart-Healthy Foods

Many foods can help keep your heart at its best. Some help lower your blood pressure. Others keep your cholesterol in line. So add these items to your shopping cart:

1. Salmon

This ocean-going fish is a top choice because it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids. “Omega-3s have an anti-clotting effect, so they keep your blood flowing,” says Rachel Johnson, PhD, RD,  Bickford Professor of Nutrition at the University of Vermont. They also help lower your triglycerides (a type of fat that can lead to heart disease).

Aim for at least two servings of oily fish each week, says the American Heart Association. A serving is 3.5 ounces.  That’s a little bit bigger than a computer mouse.

Other options: Tuna, trout, sardines, and mackerel.

2. Walnuts.

Nibbling on 5 ounces of nuts each week may cut your risk of heart disease in half. Walnuts have lots of “good” fats. When you use these monounsaturated fats in place of saturated fats (such as butter), you cut your “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise your “good” HDL cholesterol.

Walnuts are also a good source of omega-3 fats. (They don’t have the same kind of omega-3s as fish, though.) 

Other options: Almonds, cashews, pistachios, flaxseed, and chia seeds.

3. Raspberries

These berries are loaded with polyphenols -- antioxidants that mop up damage-causing free radicals in your body. They also deliver fiber and vitamin C, which are both linked to a lower risk of stroke.

Other options: Any berries -- strawberries, blueberries, blackberries -- are great choices. Fruits and vegetables in general are excellent choices because of their nutrients and fiber.

4. Fat-Free or Low-fat Milk or Yogurt

“Dairy products are high in potassium, and that has a blood-pressure-lowering effect,” Johnson says. When you choose low-fat or fat-free dairy, you get little to no saturated fat, the kind of fat that can raise your cholesterol.

Other options: Most fruits and vegetables also have some potassium, Johnson says. Bananas, oranges, and potatoes are especially good sources.

5. Chickpeas

Chickpeas and other legumes (lentils, other kinds of beans) are a top-notch source of soluble fiber -- the kind of fiber that can lower your “bad” LDL cholesterol. If you buy canned beans, look for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties (sodium can raise your blood pressure). Rinse them in water to wash off any added salt.

Other options: Eggplant, okra, apples, and pears are also good choices for soluble fiber.

6. Oatmeal

Oats have a type of fiber (called beta-glucan) that lowers your LDL cholesterol. One and a half cups of cooked oatmeal or a little over a cup of cooked barley gives you the amount of beta-glucan you need daily to help lower your cholesterol.

Other options: You can also find beta-glucan in barley, shiitake mushrooms, and seaweed.

7. Olive oil

A cornerstone of the traditional Mediterranean diet, olive oil is a great pick when you need to limit saturated fat (found in meat, whole milk, and butter). Fats from animal products, and trans fats (“partially hydrogenated oils”) raise your “bad” cholesterol and can make fat build up inside your arteries.

Other options:  Canola oil and safflower oil.

8. Dark Chocolate

Cacao, the plant from which chocolate is made, is rich in flavanols, which can help lower your blood pressure and prevent blood clots. It also acts as an antioxidant, which can keep “bad” cholesterol from sticking to your artery walls.

Choose dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) to get more flavanols and less sugar, Johnson says. (Sugar raises your risk of heart disease.)

Other options: Think beyond the bar. Choose natural cocoa powder over Dutch-processed to get more flavanols. (Check the label to make sure you don’t get too much sugar.) For a totally unsweetened take, try cacao nibs. Add them to your granola.

9. Avocados

These fruitsget their creamy texture from “good” (monounsaturated) fats, which lower your “bad” cholesterol.

“They also seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect, so you don’t get chronic inflammation that makes atherosclerosis -- the hardening of artery walls -- worse,” Johnson says.

Use mashed avocado as a spread in place of butter, or add cubes of it to salad, or over black bean chili. As delicious as they are, avocados are high in calories, so keep your portions modest.

Other options: Nuts and sunflower oil.

10. Unsalted almond butter

Nut butters are great on whole-grain toast instead of butter. They’re a wonderful source of monounsaturated fatty acids. Use unsalted, natural options to avoid added salt, sugar, and hydrogenated fats found in other forms of peanut butter, Johnson says.

Other options: Unsalted peanut butter or any other unsalted nut butter.

11. Red Grapes

These juicy fruits have resveratrol, which helps keep platelets in your blood from sticking together.

That may partly be why red wine -- in moderation (1 glass for women, 2 for men) -- may have some heart-healthy advantages over other types of alcohol. But health experts don’t recommend that anyone start drinking, because alcohol does have some health risks.

Love your nightly glass of wine? You can ask your doctor to make sure your serving size is OK for you. And feel free to go for grapes straight from the vine anytime.

10 Ways To Save Money On Food

Food prices are skyrocketing due to the introduction of biofuels, high regular fuel prices, inflation, and other events outside of our control. For many people, the food budget is becoming the most expensive part of the household living costs. This list is to help people who don’t want to suffer these prices so they can put their hard earnt cash in to more productive areas. This list is in no particular order – using all or just one or two of the tips here should help you save money – substantially in many cases.

10

Make a list

When you are shopping for food, it is important that you make a list – this will help you to avoid buying things that you do not need. The highest cost of shopping is almost always the unexpected extras that you don’t really need. Making a list also helps you to realize just how much food you are buying – you would be surprised how much “deadwood” you can cut out. This is particularly effective when used in conjunction with item 6 and 8.

9

Stop using recipes

Cooking from recipes is great if you are not the most confident cook, but if you force yourself to experiment with food, you can use up all the bits and pieces left over in the refrigerator and cupboards that might otherwise just sit there and spoil. If you try to empty your cupboards between shopping you will save a fortune – in some cases you will find that you can skip a whole week of shopping. When you are trying to save money you have to give up the idea of luxury meals every day.

8

Shop online

  

When I shop online with a list (see item 10), my grocery bill is more than halved. Supermarkets are designed by specialists who know how to convince you to buy things you don’t want. Every item is placed in such a way that it will entice you. The supermarkets have become incredibly good at this (as is evidenced by my half price shopping bill when I don’t go to the store). You usually save so much money that the small delivery fee charged by some online shopping stores is worth paying. Make sure to follow tip 10 and buy only what it is on your list – nothing more.

7

Keep leftovers

Supermarkets have a tendency to package items in odd numbers – such as packs of 3 steaks when you only want 2. This can work to your advantage – buy the 3 pack, cook it all, and save one piece for lunch the next day. This is true of all leftovers – they can either be reheated and eaten the next day, frozen for later use, or recycled in another meal (when you cook leftovers it is called rechaufe). Left over chicken from a roast can be turned in to a hearty chicken soup, left over cooked meat can be ground (minced) and made in to a pie filling, the list is endless. Just remember (item 9) that recipes are not going to help you to cook with leftovers – you need to just dive in and give it a try.

6

Make a core menu

It is a good idea to make a core menu for the week – a menu that doesn’t change from week to week. This may include things like sausages and mashed potato, fried chicken, caesar salad, etc. By adding 5 regular meals you can control the cost of your shopping, and as time goes on you can learn ways to make shortcuts and save more money. Furthermore, one large bag of potatoes can be used up in 2 weeks instead of half a bag sitting around spoiling. Use your extra two days to add a special meal – something that changes every week so you don’t get bored with your meals.

5

Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying small portions. It is important to remember, however, that this is not an effective shopping tool if you are buying bulk items that you don’t normally use. Bulk shopping should be reserved to the items that you use regularly and in large quantities. For example, if you bake your own bread you should buy the largest sack of flower you can – but if you never bake your own bread you should not buy bulk flour. This seems like an obvious point, but a lot of people get so enthusiastic about the savings that they buy unnecessary goods.

4

Buy store brands

Not only are store brand goods almost always cheaper, but often they contain the very same food as a label brand. This is true not just of food but also clothing. It is definitely not worth paying twice the price just for a fancy label when the quality of the goods are identical. We certainly wouldn’t buy a Lada with a mercedes logo on it for twice the price as a Lada with the Lada logo. Why do it with food?

3

Cook from scratch

Cooking from scratch is one of the best ways to save money in shopping. Pre-packaged and pre-cooked meals are expensive – every step in the process of turning raw food in to prepared food adds more to the price. This is true of cuts of meat as well – chicken with the skin and bones intact costs a lot less than skinned boned chicken breasts. For the 2 minutes work you save when buying pre-cut meat it is hardly worth paying a premium price. Cooking from scratch will not only save you money, it will make you healthier as your food will not contain preservatives and chemicals. Also, you can quite often cook a meal from scratch in the same time as it takes to open and heat a pre-made meal.

2

Use Coupons

Coupons are an excellent way to save money. Some shops use loss leaders- this is when they sell goods at cost or less than cost. The aim of loss leaders is to draw customers in to the store. Take advantage of this and shop at a few different places – buying only coupon items. You will be amazed how much money you can save. But be warned – just like bulk buying – do not buy items you do not need just because they are so inexpensive. You are not saving any money when you buy something you don’t need.

1

Buy local produce

Buying local produce will always be cheaper than transported goods because you are not paying transportation costs, and it is these costs which are growing the most rapidly at present. Furthermore, you get to build up a good relationship with members of your local community and get the freshest fruit and vegetables. This also means that you are eating seasonal produce and not something that has been frozen for a year before it hits the shops. Why pay twice the price for last year’s apples when you can get apples that have just come off the tree?