Chocolate Ice Cream

Will Fat Tax Come To United States?

Now that Denmark has imposed a “fat tax” on foods such as butter and oil as a way to curb unhealthy eating habits experts in the United States wonder if a similar fax tax will come to this country to help raise money and serve to discourage people from eating fatty foods which can lead to heart disease and death.

Ole Linnet Juul, food director at Denmark’s Confederation of Industries, says the tax will increase the price of a burger by around $0.15 and raise the price of a small package of butter by around $0.40.

The tax was approved by large majority in a parliament in March as a move to help increase the average life expectancy of Danes.

Denmark, like some other European countries, already has higher fees on sugar, chocolates and soft drinks, but Linnet Juul says he believes the Nordic country is the first in the world to tax fatty foods.

Hungary’s Hamburger Law

In September, Hungary introduced a new tax popularly known as the “Hamburger Law,” but that only involves higher taxes on soft drinks, pastries, salty snacks and food flavorings. (more…)

I have a confession to make.  I’m a germ-aphobe.  Seriously.  I’m not sure why, but over the years my affliction has gotten progressively worse.  Growing up in South St. Louis I wasn’t too worried about anything germ related.

Nor did I fret about getting some weird disease when I had to dissect a dead fetal pig in the biology lab at Bishop Du Bourg high school in South St. Louis.

I think my germ phobia started when I worked part time in hospitals while I was working my way through college.

Hospitals are literally swimming in germs that can kill you.  Around that time I also started reading medical and science journals and a perfect storm was created.  I become very paranoid about weird germs lurking in all sorts of places.

How does being paranoid about germs have anything to do with hair or beauty?  Well of course I keep an eagle eye on the expiration dates on shampoo and related beauty products.  I always throw my mascara away when it seems even remotely dangerous. (more…)

Ashwagandha is also known as Withania somnifera.  It’s also known as Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi, Amukkara in Tamil and Samm Al Ferakh, is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family.

Many closely related species like Withania coagulans (Dunal) – Paneer dodi, Ashutosh booti (Sanskrit, Hindi) are morphologically very similar to the species.

The herb holds a place in the Ayurvedic pharmacology and it is similar to ginseng in Chinese medicine, yet it is far less expensive. It is the best rejuvenative herb, particularly for the muscles, marrow, semen and for Vata constitution.

It’s used in all conditions of weakness and tissue deficiency in children, the elderly, those debilitated by chronic diseases, those suffering from overwork, lack of sleep or nervous exhaustion.

For such regenerative purposes, it can be taken as a milk decoction to which may be added raw sugar, honey, pippai and basmati rice. (more…)

While I love to eat food, I’m not a foodie in the true sense.  However, I do live in Texas and queso is an important food group along with chips and margaritas.  Maybe that’s a subgroup?  Who knows.

Regardless, I was amused and then touched when I received an email from Abuelo’s offering to trade Crayons For Queso to help our teachers get ready for school.   With all the budget cuts schools, teachers and students need all the help they can get.  The deal lasts until August 28th, 2011.

Participating Abuelo restaurants will trade a brand new 16 ct box of crayons for some yummy queso.

If you’re not into crayons then you can substitute a 12 pack of new ball point pens, a 12 pack of new pencils, 2 packages of new looseleaf spiral paper, 2 brand new spiral notebooks or 2 boxes of new tissues for the same deal.

Of course you have to spring for your own Margaritas, but the queso and chips are the trade.  What a deal.  You can do your part to help the teachers and the kids and satisfy your queso cravings at the same time.

Even better deal.  If queso doesn’t tickle your tastebuds than Abuelos will offer your quacamole or layered dip or give you a complimentary dessertt of flan or margarita pie.  Don’t forget, this deal is good through August 28th, 2011.

For more details visit Abuelos to find a participating Crayons For Queso restaurant.

More Information

Please follow me on Twitter at: http://Twitter.com/HairBoutique. I look forward to meeting new people from all walks of Twitter and learning from their Tweets. Visit us at Hairboutique.com located at: http://www.HairBoutique.com, on Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.

Thank you for visiting us at The HairBoutique Blog and for leaving your comments. They are very much appreciated. We apologize in advance but must remove any direct advertisements or solicitations.

Kirstie Alley lost a ton of weight on last season’s Dancing With The Stars.  Indeed, dancing is a great form of exercise.

If you want to blast fat, flatter your figure, get into some sick shape, or just add some fun to your exercise routine consider the following dance style options:

1.  Jazz – This is a great option if you want to blast off those last five pounds.  Jazz is a great calorie burner because you’re constantly kicking and pivoting.  In fact, jazz burns a lot more calories than many other forms of dance.  Jazz also involves a lot of strutting so you will be prepared to do the cat walk, which is a popular jazz dancing technique.

Prior to dancing, jazz dancers typically perform exercises in order to warm up and stretch muscles so as to prevent injuries. In addition, core strengthening exercises are often used for conditioning.

2.  Ballet – Ballet, whether traditional or contemporary which combines classical ballet and modern dance,  is a great way to get a longer, leaner body look. Since it’s a weight-bearing movement you’ve got to tighten your core to maintain balance.

It takes its technique and body control using abdominal strength from classical ballet, although it permits a greater range of movement that may not adhere to the strict body lines or turnout set forth by schools of ballet technique.  Ballet also provides a heightened sense of gracefulness and elegance.  And yes, it burns calories.

3.  Hip Hop – Besides burning calories this popular form of dance helps define your muscles.  This type of dancing includes lightening quick jumping and gyrating.  Your abs get cut because of all the bumping and grinding which flows from your stomach area.

4.  Belly Dancing – Shakira made this type of dancing very popular.  Just look at her whittled waist and her killer body and you will understand why.  Most of the movements in belly dancing involve isolating different parts of the body (hips, shoulders, chest, stomach etc.), which appear similar to the isolations used in jazz and ballet, but are often driven differently.

In much of belly dance there is a focus upon the core muscles of the body producing the movement rather than the external muscles of the body.  The side-to-side movements in belly dancing help to define and shape your waist.  Belly dancing also provides a heightened awareness of your body.

5.  Irish Dancing – This type of traditional dancing originated in Ireland became very popular in 1994 in the world-famous Riverdance show.  This type of dancing burns lots of calories because of it’s rapid leg and foot movement.  The body and arms are kept stationary.  This is a great type of workout for the legs, thighs, hips and buttocks.

The other distinguishing feature of this type of dancing is that feet are flat on the floor dancing with a sliding /gliding style. Each part of the set dance (figure) is danced to a music tempo, mostly reels, jigs, polkas, hornpipes and slides.  For a major workout take up Irish or similar style dancing.

More Information

Please follow me on Twitter at: http://Twitter.com/HairBoutique. I look forward to meeting new people from all walks of Twitter and learning from their Tweets.

Visit us at Hairboutique.com located at: http://www.HairBoutique.com, on Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.

Thank you for visiting us at The HairBoutique Blog and for leaving your comments. They are very much appreciated. We apologize in advance but must remove any direct advertisements or solicitations.

Foods That Can Make You Fat

If you’re trying to loose weight, but not having much success it may be that you’re selecting all the wrong items to eat and drink. Just because something is listed as sugar free it may actually make you fat and may be very bad for your overall health.

One key principle to remember for a healthy body and foods that won’t make you fat is to select foods that are living and not dead.

Foods which grow such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, as an example, are naturally good for your body and will help you lose weight.  Foods that do not grow are considered dead such as white breads, processed foods or similar, and will decrease your health and cause the body to gain weight in many cases.

Listed below are some foods which nutrition experts believe can block you from losing weight or even make you fat while trying to watch your diet.

1.  Diet Soda

According to findings from the San Antonio Heart Study just one daily drink of diet soda can boost your risk of becoming overweight by 65%.  Since diet soda tastes sweet your body expects it to have calories and when the soda doesn’t provide the calories to match the sweetness on your tongue your body goes into serious craving mode.

Instead of diet soda add a splash of lemon or lime to your Evian or seltzer water.  Even better, fresh lemon juice squeezed into water will help the body to naturally detox.

2.  Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

A recent study published in Pediatrics and led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have a strong link to the rise in obesity.  Sodas, fruit drinks, punches and sports drinks are high in calories and are considered empty calories which add to weight gain. (more…)

How To Go Terrible Shape To Long Distance Running

Although it’s not my goal to run a marathon any time soon, I always strive to get into better shape.  One of my biggest challenges is that my job requires me to sit the majority of the time.

One of my dearest friends, Gary Pawelko, has been a trainer forever.  Gary is a perfect example of someone who has been committed to staying in the best possible shape since he was in his teens.  Even many years later he continues to always makes time for daily exercise including scheduling special events such as bike and running marathons.

He looks at least 20 years younger than his biological age due to how healthy he eats and how consistently he exercises.  Gary makes a point of avoiding sugar and processed foods as much as possible.

Listed below are some ways that Gary taught me how to get in better shape, many years ago.  Also, over the course of the past 20 years I’ve worked with a series of trainers who have recommended similar programs.

Start With Your Physician

First of all, before you undertake any type of exercise program be sure to consult with your doctor.  Once you do have your physician’s approval to exercise, start slow and build up.  Consider follow a step by step approach which will help you progress from being in terrible shape to being in great shape.

Listed below are some steps which are generally recognized as a way to work back into shape in a slow and healthy manner:

1.  Start slowly by walking.

The key is to walk  slowly in the beginning starting with 5 minutes and adding a few minutes every day.  An ideal goal would be to walk a minimum of 3 times a week working up to 20-30 minutes each section.   Be consistent, but only go as fast as you feel comfortable.  As long as you are moving forward with your program, you’re doing great.  If you need to take longer between each step then take longer and don’t beat yourself up.  Congratulate yourself for making progress. (more…)

Secrets To Jennifer Aniston’s Stunning Body

Although Jennifer Aniston is famous for her glam hair, hot men and big paychecks, she is also admired for her stunning body which seems to get only better with age.  Just as Jen has a world famous celebrity hairstylist, Chris McMillan, and famed colorists, she also has trainers for her body.  Jen has been very open about her love of yoga.

One thing you have to admire about Jen is her willingness to share her secrets and the names of her go-to gurus.  In the case of Yoga she has been very open about her work with Mandy Ingber who runs Jen through her yoga workout.

Not only did Jen reveal Mandy’s name to the world, she hosted a party with Self Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Lucy Danziger to release Mandy’s exercise DVD, Yogalosophy back in 2009.

“Jen’s a big advocate for me,” Mandy told the media that her longtime client is also a great friend.  She said Jen really embodies health and wellness. She’s wholesome, balanced and fresh. She does it all, but in moderation. She’s an icon.”

Since the initial release of Yogalosophy, Mandy’s Yogalosophy DVD and workouts have become wildly popular.  And yes, Jennifer continues to follow Mandy’s yoga techniques.   The celebrity yoga trainer told the media “The key to having a great body is consistency, finding things you can do on a daily basis.” (more…)

Summer Savasana How To Tips

In a time filled with high temps, travel, bathing suits, barbecues and beach days—it’s easy to take a pass on your yoga practice.  But as the heat of the sun dominates and productivity increases, your practice is just as important as ever.

So what can you do to make sure summer doesn’t disrupt your dedication? Check out these innovative products and tips from world-renowned yoga company,Twitter—who makes saying yes to Summer Savasana just a little bit easier:

• Have Mat, will Travel—Manduka’s new eKO Superlite Travel Mat provides superior grip on carpet or hard flooring, yet weights under 2 lbs and folds to fit easily into any packing space.

Great for the yogi who travels light, yet must be prepared for the spontaneous yoga session! (this product just debuted)

• Pick cool Poses—It’s hot! Take time to treat your body to poses that cool the physical and emotional energies like ushtrasana (camel), dhanurasana (bow), bhujangasana (cobra) and navasana (boat). (more…)

The February 2011 issue of Scientific American provided a full scale analysis by the talented David H. Freedman of how to fix the obesity crisis which is now considered a modern epidemic in the United States.

In fact, it is such a concern that TV’s The Biggest Loser is a major hit because of the interest and concern in this problem.

The quick answer to how to fix the obesity epidemic?  There is no quick answer.

Freedman points out that when all of the scientific research being done to solve the obesity puzzle is put together “it is clear that the obesity fix cannot be boiled down to eating this or that food type or to taking any other simple action.  Many factors contribute to the problem.  It is party environment – the eating habits of your friends, what food is most available in your home and in your local stores, how much opportunity you have to move around at work.”

Of course you can’t count out the genetic predisposition factors for storing fat, for having higher satiety thresholds, even for having more sensitive taste buds. (more…)