Nutrition experts agree that these good-tasting and good-for-you foods should be part of a well-balanced diet: they fill you up and slim you down!

Fat is bad, but some fats are good. Tofu prevents disease; tofu aids growth of certain tumors. Eggs promote cholesterol; eggs pack a nutritional punch.
So which is it? The barrage of conflicting reports leaves many consumers with a distrust of nutritional information-and a plate full of questions about how and what to eat for their health.
Despite contradictory reports and biases by hydrates, there are certain foods and food groups about which many nutritional experts agree.

A number of foods were named to a Top 10 list by a half-dozen leading research nutritionists interviewed earlier this month. Some obvious candidates, however, didn’t make the list, but were cited as beneficial:

Broccoli, for example, was noted as being a rich source of vitamin C, and research points to its potential to reduce the risk of breast, colon and stomach cancers.

Sweet potatoes, a potent source of vitamin A (which helps ensure healthy eyes), are high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, which means they are a carbohydrate that won’t cause the same spikes in blood sugar as a white potato.

Cooked tomatoes are hich is it? The barrage of conflicting reports high in lycopene (which helps decrease the risk of colon cancer) and vitamin C; and are low in calories.

Melon has more water, ounce for ounce, than most juices. In addition, melon is loaded with potassium.

Watermelon is also a good source of iron and lycopene.

Keith Ayoob, associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, named his Top 10 most important foods and added a caveat that seems to be the consensus among food experts: Don’t limit yourself. “Use the list as` a springboard to try other foods in the same categories,” he advises. “It’s all about variety”

Nine things to consider before you sign on the dotted line…

Many of us say the same thing every year, “This is the year I’ll start exercising, eat right and feel better about myself.” Joining a health club and/or hiring a personal trainer are two top ways to do just that, but the club or fitness pro have to fit your interests, current fitness level and ultimate goals. Choosing the right health club and personal trainer is a major key to succeeding in any fitness program and improving one’s overall health.

If you do get that health club membership, you won’t be alone. “Health club membership and attendance has grown steadily,” explains John McCarthy, executive director of IHRSA. “Americans of all different ages and levels of physical fitness are making the decision to get fit, and it is critical that they choose the health club and personal trainer that is right for their specific needs.”

The experts at IHRSA have come up with a list of things you need to know before you lay out money for a health club membership and/or a personal trainer:

1. Determine your fitness goals and look for a health club that offers programs and services that will help you achieve them.

2. Ask your friends and co-workers where they work out and why they chose that particular club. Find out if they have a personal trainer they could recommend.

3. Do a little research before you visit a health club. For example, offers a comprehensive list of quality clubs across the United States, including directions to clubs and important information that should be read before signing a membership agreement. It allows you to find a club based on the activities you want, from group cycling to basketball to spa services to childcare. This can be especially useful if you are on the road or are new to your area.

4. Choose a health club close to home or work.

5. Visit a health club during the time frame when you are most likely to work out. This will help you truly gauge whether the club meets your needs. You don’t want to endure a long wait for a treadmill or a stationary cycle!

6. Check the locker rooms and club amenities to see if it’s well organized and clean.

7. Talk to fitness instructors about their programs and find out how they are conducted, when classes are held, and who attends. This will help determine if the club offers classes that interest you and are appropriate for your fitness level. This is also a great time to get an idea of the personality of these pros; you want to make sure that you’ll feel comfortable in their classes.

8. When looking for a personal trainer, meet with prospective trainers first to find out how they would work with you and what kind of programs they will recommend. Always keep in mind that a personal training certification does not qualify them as a nutrition counselor, physical therapist, or other specialized healthcare provider.

Tell your trainer about your level of experience, current level of activity, fitness goals, and all medical conditions or dietary requirements. Make sure they have all the relevant information about your health and physical condition necessary to develop a fitness program that is appropriate for you.

Trainers have varying types and levels of experience. Just because a trainer is accomplished at helping clients prepare for marathons, they may not be the right person for someone just getting back into a fitness routine. Make sure they have the skills necessary to work with you safely and effectively.

9. When you join a health club, ask about the terms of the membership agreement and make sure to thoroughly review the details on the application. Make sure you understand the cancellation policy, billing procedures, length of the agreement and membership renewal process to prevent confusion about your membership in the future.

The bottom line, whether joining a health club or choosing a trainer, is to take your time and research all the choices thoroughly. A successful exercise program will require a real commitment and will help you achieve your goals and maximize the investment you make in both time and money.

Getting married? Welcome to this latest commercial enterprise called wedding where you get married according to a theme. You could be getting married in a Roman ambience or in the midst of a romantic Paris landscape, or even in a fairytale castle with relevant dress, headgear, food etc to match. The elaborate setting is supposed to create an aura conducive to a lasting and eternally joyful alliance between the duo. The name given to such enterprises is 'traditional weddings' but are they really? More on Ah, what a wedding!

It's the freeze face generation. A society that wants to look forever young and pretty. Forget middle aged women, Botox and other anti-aging treatments are becoming a rage even among the youth across the country……………………. More on Forever young

The fashion scene in the North East is booming and helping to change the perception of the fashion industry in the metros…………… More on Eastward on the fashion trail

Like many aspects of our health, our lovemaking drive is affected by what we put into our bodies. A few drinks and some kind of foods, followed by a rich chocolate dessert, may sound romantic, but it is actually a prologue to sleep, not lovemaking. Humans have sought ways to enhance or improve their sex lives for millennia, and have never been reluctant to spend money to make themselves better lovers. Eating the right kinds of foods and getting plenty of muscle-strengthening exercise is just the prescription for a healthier love life. A dash of positive attitude ties it all together: You have to believe you're hot if you want to make things sizzle in the bedroom. Being sexy and self-confident is just a state of mind and this can be only possible if you feel that confidence from within. More on A healthy diet is healthy for your lovemaking life

Throughout history, the world's most fashionable women have understood the power of the accessory. Women's fashion accessories tend to be both extremely trendy and also deeply personal. Dressing up a classic suit with hip accessories is usually more affordable than buying a new suit each season. As such, women are willing to take risks with their accessories purchases that they might not take with their clothing. More on Fashion is incomplete without Accessories

For wearing a sari, you need two essential accessories: a matching blouse and a petticoat.

The blouse must be close-fitting.

The petticoat must be ankle length, and threaded at the top with elastic, or a thin cotton tape, to tie it around the waist comfortably.

The petticoat should be tied tightly enough, so that the sari does not slip. Take the inner edge of the sari, and tuck it into the petticoat in front, a little more to the right side, with the sari going towards the left.

Gather the pleats evenly and neatly, and tuck them into the petticoat, slightly towards the left side, but not too much to the left. See that the breadth of the pleats is equal, and that they are piled on top of each other evenly. The lower edge of the pleats should also be even, and just off the ground. The gracefulness of the sari depends mainly on these pleats.

Having tucked in the pleats, turn around again to the right, holding the top edge of the sari in your hand, and bring it round your hips to the front.

Gather the palla, and place it over the left shoulder. The upper border of the sari should slant across the bust from under the right arm to over the left shoulder.

The palla should be about a yard (90 cm.) in length, just touching the finger-tips, as it falls evenly behind you.

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