Thursday, June 28, 2012

Bariatric Foods That Can Maximize Weight Loss

If you've studied weight loss for any length of time, you've probably come across the concept of strong, powerful bariatric foods. These are meals and nutrients that can make losing weight much easier than if you try to accomplish your goals without them. In addition to being filling and low in calories, they have the nutrients that can maximize your energy consumption. Not only that, but the best of these choices will also be very healthy. So much of what we eat these days falls into the category of "empty calories". They provide very little in the way of what the body needs, and much of what it doesn't. Here are some of the powerful groceries that can make a big difference in your waistline.
Vegetable Variety
While it will come as no surprise to anyone that vegetables can be a powerful ally in the battle of the bulge, you may not know that most experts recommend getting a variety. That's right, if you're content with sticking to just a few main staples, you could be missing out on a wealth of nutrients and vitamins. You don't even need to know the names to make good choices; you can pick out your vegetables by color. The more colors you can incorporate into your diet, the wider your array of nutrition will be. Vegetables are without a doubt some of the most powerful bariatric foods.
Tomatoes
Never underestimate the power of the tomato. Just about anything that can be made from tomatoes is going to prove to be a good friend while trying to lose weight. This includes salsa, plain tomatoes, sauce based on the fruit/vegetable, and just about anything else other than ketchup, which is usually loaded with too much sugar to be an effective weight loss ally. In addition to jump starting your metabolism, tomatoes are packed with Vitamin C, which makes them one of the best bariatric foods.
Beans and Oats
Fiber is important when you're trying to lose weight. This is true for a number of reasons, not least of which is your body's inability to properly digest it. That means you can eat fibrous foods without worrying about it all going to your waistline. You may spend a bit more time in the bathroom, but at least you'll be able to fit into that bikini without crying next summer. As far as bariatric foods go, look for fibrous beans, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread that promotes fiber intake. You'll feel full for longer with these choices, which means you won't be snacking a half hour after finishing your meal.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Finding a Nursing School - Accreditation

When selecting the proper nursing school you need to consider a number of factors like the nursing programs offered, school's location, tuition costs, clinical training, number of board NCLEX or National Council Licensure Examination passers and accreditation.
One very crucial factor to look into when looking for a nursing school is the accreditation and you need to make sure that they are accredited by either the Collegiate Nursing and Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) because students can be assured of quality nursing education and the school provides credible endorsement from these accrediting bodies. Schools accredited by either CCNE or NLNAC have met the requirements and standards that such organizations expect from an educational institution.
The NLNAC in particular accredits virtually all types of nursing programs and the CCNE checks on the quality of nursing programs from the baccalaureate and graduate levels. Entering in an accredited school will enable students to attend any program which is supported by the government and this would make them eligible to take higher degrees of the course. Individuals who are graduates of an accredited school have greater chances of immediate employment since they have gone through intense and quality nursing instruction or training.
Accreditation for nursing programs will be based upon: course description, curriculum plan, source descriptions, clinical areas and facilities of the program, etch. The schools' personnel will also be evaluated like the deans, faculty members or directors, and other practices used by the school in protecting the well-being and health of all students.
When accredited, accrediting bodies may then request the nursing schools to update data on several enrollment figures for each class and the ratio of students, teachers, and the number of enrolled students for the last 5 years, policies utilized in choosing students for graduation, how many students graduated in the past 5 years, and how the students performed in the board examinations for the last 5 years. Accredited nursing schools will also be required to pass a list of achievements as far as meeting the objectives of the nursing program is concerned.
There will be constant inspections in nursing schools by the accrediting body and each school will be required to pass a copy of the audited fiscal report plus its expenditures and income. If the school you graduated from is not accredited, then you may have a problem qualifying for the National Certification and Licensure Examination.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Create a Hot Celebration With Healthy Style

If you're anything like me you're wearing several hats, juggling a too long list of tasks on your schedule. Add the periodic special occasion celebration and you may find your mood swinging toward a bad "hatitude." No worries-just plan something easy on the host and enjoyable for guests.
Create a relaxing ambiance consistent with the theme. For example, if festivities are focused on fresh and cool, consider a sundown gathering to avoid the warmest part of the day. Decorate the serving tables with solid color candles of varying heights, surrounded by a border of fresh herbs and miniature produce such as multi-colored peppers, okra, cherry tomatoes or squash.
Beverages will help keep guests cool; anti-oxidant rich drinks such as red or purple grape, blueberry, pomegranate, and orange juices have benefits to keep cells healthy, preventing cell damage, heart disease, and high-blood pressure. Stock the beverage station with crushed ice, frozen red grapes, chilled fresh juices along with soda water, ginger ale, water, and champagne. A splash of soda water or ginger ale is flavorful and thirst-quenching minus the effects of an alcoholic beverage. If you'd like to stir in a stronger beverage in addition to Champagne, consider a lighter red wine such as a syrah or merlot which are also good sources of anti-oxidants.
Keep things light---no heavy foods or rich sauces. Build the menu around fresh local ingredients. Nutrient-rich vegetables such as broccoli and baby carrots are high in vitamins A, C, and K. They're good for you and you can eat plenty. Use the vegetables as dippers for low cal yogurt dips or hummus. Bonus-these veggies are also no-cook; you can simply rinse them in cold water, pat dry and put them in serving bowls in the 'fridge until you need them. I stop by the supermarket and pick up salad-one of my favorites these days is a chilled quinoa (keen wa) salad. Quinoa is a grain (similar to barley) that is a good source of protein and fiber. Serve lean grilled meats such as chicken or beef on bamboo skewers. These refreshments are filling without making guests feel like they've overeaten.
My sweet inspiration for a cool finale includes options of seasonal fresh fruit, flavored Greek yogurt, fruit sorbet, granola, mini-chocolate morsels, and toasted almonds. Try these suggestions to create a hot celebration with style-and they come with a perk, they're extra easy on the host.
The healthy take way here is have fun, stay cool, relax, and enjoy your guest. You don't have to miss out on all the enjoyment, breathe, plan and be prepared. Select wholesome menu items that can be picked up or made ahead. Serve beverages in pitchers and food buffet style so everyone can help themselves. Entertaining can be gratifying and nutritious too.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Green and Lean

Why do people think that doing right for your community and the environment has to cost more?
It does not.
Some examples that I have recently run across:
Deliveries... using a bike. Just like when I was a kid. Works great for local stuff.
Furniture... that is "previously used". Nothing wrong with that, but now it can be marketed as eco-friendly
Urban gardens... I grew up in an Italian/Polish neighbourhood. Nothing new about urban gardens then... but now doctors, lawyers and other professionals are doing it. Heck, Concordia University was having some workshops on it.
Quaint.
Small.
So what.
Fair enough, but this type of thinking can be transmitted to your daily affairs. That can save you money while giving a LIKE to the environment and community.
Some once thought that that email was "quaint" but I am willing to bet that you get more emails in a day than your parents received letters (not junk mail) in a year. That does not seem so quaint; after all there are estimates of 300 billion emails sent, per day.
Some once that thought social media was "small" as it was only for kids and they would grow out of it. Then grandparents starting using it to see their kids; soccer teams starting using it to see their matches and people started using it to renew or make new friends. Say what you want but a billion social media users does not seem so small now.
So what? If you apply some of this thinking to your business you may be able to make that leap from x to 2x. Which seems too mathematical, but if you are making $400,000 per year now, how would you feel if you were making $800,000 per year? What would it do for your business and your lifestyle? How about if you could do it while saving money, helping your community and being nicer to the environment?
Those boring accountants (we all know a few) are actually starting to think of ways that you can save money (use less materials) and still grow your business. Words like "sustainability" are making it into everyday business and not just in glossy brochures put out by the oil companies. What if you could do good while marketing and increasing your business reach?
Boring things like:
Reducing packaging - think reusable bags versus the old plastic
Reducing transport costs - buying local - reduces energy cost while helping the local community
The traditional BIG firm CFO Mantra of "do more with less" has made its way back to the small business movement
Firms are even taking a look at big capital expenditures and looking at environmental impact as part of their buying analysis. One manufacturing company built a new manufacturing plant and decided to make the facility as green as possible by eliminating excess materials and reducing hazardous materials. Another real estate developer thought that saving the nearby trees - which an environmental group wanted to do, would actually increase the value of his overall project.
These are small steps. The world is a big place. There are a lot of people in the world. If we all take small steps that make economic sense we will all be better off.