The Atkins Diet

Today there are many diets out there to choose from, and if you want to lose weight, it can be a bit difficult to figure out which diet is for you. However, one of the top diet choices out there today is Atkins. Of course before you start any diet you probably want to know a bit more about it and how it works. So, let’s take a look at how the Atkins Diet got started, how it works, who it works best for, and more so you can make the right choice.

Overview of the Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet is a popular diet that was developed by Dr. Atkins. The entire diet is based on the theory of this doctor is that the main problem for people who are overweight is that they eat too many carbohydrates and their body is extra sensitive to them. His idea is that the body and how it processes the carbs you take in each day is what makes you gain more weight. Basically Dr. Atkins feels that many people eat too many carbohydrates, which leads to insulin resistance. In order to remedy this problem, the diet is one that restricts the intake of carbs and focuses on eating a diet that is high in protein. You end up reducing the amount of carbs that you eat each day to make your body start burning off the fat on the body as its fuel.

People the Diet Works Best For

While this diet has been shown to be effective for many people, it seems to work the best for people who really do have an insulin resistance build up in their body. Also, people who are hypoglycemic can really benefit from this diet as well if they are trying to lose weight.

Pros and Cons

You will find that just like any other diet, there are definitely both pros and cons with Atkins. Let’s take a look at a few of the pros and cons you’ll find if you try this diet.

- Pro #1 – It’s a Simple Diet – One of the main pros that so many people love is that it is a very simple diet to follow. Once you learn what foods you are supposed to be eating, those you should avoid, and learn to count carbs, it really is a diet that is easy to follow.

- Pro #2 – Finding Your Own Level of Carbs – Another great pro is that the diet does focus on finding the level of carbs that works best for you. Some people may be able to eat a bit more than others, but the focus is to figure out what works for you.

- Pro #3 – A Popular Diet – The Atkins Diet is a popular diet as well. This is a pro because it means that you can easily find information on the diet and support as you are trying to follow it as well.

- Con #1 – You Miss Out on Cancer Fighting Fruits and Vegetables – One of the main cons of this diet is that because of the big restriction on carbs, you actually miss out on some of the most important cancer fighting fruits and vegetables that you need. Add to this that you’re eating more red meat, which too much of can cause cancer, and you may create a dangerous situation.

- Con #2 – You Always Have to Count Carbs – Many people don’t like the fact that they are always having to keep track of the carbs they eat. This means that every single thing that goes in their mouth must be counted, which can get old after awhile.

- Con #3 – Miss Out on Necessary Nutrients – Probably one of big cons to this diet is the fact that you miss out on many necessary nutrients that your body needs, since you cannot eat many foods. While some minerals and vitamins can be taken in a supplement, some of the important phytonutrients that you need cannot be replaced by taking a supplement.

Foods You Can and Can’t Eat

There are several different phases of the Atkins diet and each phase affects the food that you can and cannot eat as well. When you are going through the first two weeks of the Atkins plan, you are only allowed to have 20 grams of carbs each day, and the carbs that you can eat include vegetables that are low in carbohydrates, such as tomatoes, lettuce, and broccoli. During this time you can’t even eat fruits, potatoes, breads, or yogurt, since they have too many carbs. You can’t take in caffeine or alcohol during this time either.

As you go into the second stage of this diet you are allowed to go up to 25 grams of carbs each day. After you get to the weight you want to be, then you can slowly introduce some good carbs into your diet once again, but you have to make sure that you don’t gain back the weight that you have lost. Some of the things that you can add to your diet include plenty of proteins, such as various meats, like red meat, bacon, and you can even add eggs.

The Opinion of the Medical Community

So, you may be wondering what the opinion of the medical community happens to be. Well, the medical community often criticizes the Atkins diet, feeling that there are many dangers to going on a diet that is so low on carbs and so high on protein. Since you cannot eat many fruits and vegetables, doctors fear that people don’t get the nutrients that their body really needs to be healthy. Also, all the fat that is taken in on this diet can be very dangerous. The American Heart Association definitely is concerned with the diet because of the high fat, and the American Dietetic Association is also concerned about it because of the lack of nutrition the diet offers.

Disclaimer: Always consult your doctor before starting any diet program.

Necklace Of The Spanish Inquisition

One does not usually associate beautiful jewelry with the time of the Spanish Inquisition. But in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of gems, there is an exquisite necklace holder stand of diamonds and emeralds.

It is an incredible double row of diamonds and emeralds ending in a chandelier of emeralds. There is unfortunately no information about the provenance of this necklace holder. The large diamonds and Columbian emeralds were most likely carved in India in the 17th century. This would make them one of the earliest examples of cut gemstones in the Smithsonian’s Collection. They are really only stories surrounding this necklace and what kind of necklace display stand were used in this era. They indicate that it was worn at times by Spanish and French royalty. In the early 20th century, it was purchased by the Maharajah of Indore, whose son sold the necklace in 1947 to Harry Winston. Winston subsequently sold the necklace to Mrs. Cora Hubbard Williams of Pittsburgh. She donated it to the Smithsonian in 1972.

Emeralds are a form of crystal known as beryls. Beryls are usually clear crystals, but when placed with chromium or vanadium, they keep many gradations of green. The purest green are the rarest emeralds and many people actually like an emerald that has a blue-green tint.

Prior to the 16th century, the only known emerald deposits were in Cleopatra’s Egyptian mines. But after emeralds were found in Columbia, those later became the “gold standard” in emeralds. Columbian emeralds have been discovered by archaeologists among artifacts of such tribes as the Inca, Maya, Aztec, Toltec and the almost unknown Chibcha Indians.

Little Known Natural Sleep Aids

There are so many variations of sleep disorders & sleep problems. Over the years the medical world has had to deal with lots of different variations. Some of which have left them dumbfounded and some of which are curable.

For those that suffer from any kind of sleeping problem e.g Insomnia there are several ways to deal with the issue and one that has caught the attention of lots of sufferers is a technique that uses musical sequences is turning out to be a great natural cure for Insomnia.

In some recent studies the researchers at the University of Toronto studied the tonal and rhythmic patterns that create a meditative mood in an individual. They then came up with unique musical passages that simulates the same brainwave patterns when a person is trying to fall sleep.

The results of this type of research is now available for every type of sufferer. So if you have been looking for Insomnia Treatments or looking for natural sleep aids that are not full of drugs then this may be the solution you have been looking for. This is one of the most natural cures for sleep disorders that you can find.

Lots of people dislike the idea of popping pills for Insomnia Treaments and this type of cure will not only help you develop ‘sleeping brainwaves’ but as a direct result of a deeper sleep you will also end up feeling much fresher and energetic when you wake up.

Just imagine that after months, and maybe even years, of sleepless nights that you can eventually enjoy a good nights sleep, just like any the rest of us.

And if your child suffers from any kind of sleep disorder then this may also be suitable for them too.

Important Note: You should consult your doctor if you have concerns over your health, and the information in this blog entry is for information purposes only.

Presents for Guys – Great Ideas for Many Occasions

You may appreciate the men in your life, but it sure isn’t always easy to think of great gift ideas for them! Whether it’s a father, brother, boyfriend or husband, men aren’t always easy. Maybe they’re uncommunicative about what they want, or you are the one who wants to surprise them with something unexpected. If you ever find yourself only weeks away from an occasion, and have only vague ideas for a present, then this article will definitely help spur your imagination!

One of the keys to a great gift is personalization. Make it obvious that you thought about their hobbies, personality or likes and dislikes. For example, say the man in your life is a golfer. Sure you could get him a golfer’s hat or a set of golf balls, but make sure they are personalized. For example, you could print something clever on the hat like “trained by Tiger Woods” (if he’s a big fan) or put their initials on the golf balls. Keep this hint in mind whenever you’re getting a present. Remember to ask yourself, what can I do to make this gift even more special? They will certainly appreciate it! Now here are some ideas for the men in your life. Pay close attention, and you’ll be sure to have a hit every time!

Gifts for Fathers

Dad is a great guy, but he doesn’t always make gift giving easy! To make things simple for this example, let’s categorize dad as someone age 45 and up, because children rarely get fathers gifts without help, and so we are probably aiming at a slightly older crowd. Typically, we need to give dads gifts during the winter holidays and for his birthday. (We won’t worry about anniversaries because they typically also include mom, so those gifts would have to be aimed at them both). Your father may seem like the guy who has everything, so stick to giving him something either practical or cute and sentimental. For the practical, find out what he needs. Perhaps he needs a new pair of pajamas, socks, a toolbox, or a new set of golf clubs. Just be careful that you only get him an item you understand. If you don’t know how to pick out a set of golf clubs, avoid them, because it could be very likely that you’d get the wrong brand or length. Instead get him a new set of golf balls or a golf hat and save yourself the inevitable frustration. Or, maybe you don’t want to get a gift that’s 100% practical. You could still get him those golf balls or hat, but add a fun twist. For example, you could get a teddy bear holding a miniature golf club, or even wearing the hat you just bought. In fact, a stuffed animal can be a great way to jazz up a present, or a great way to show that you know the men in your life well. One year my sister gave my dad a plush cat that had an uncanny resemblance to his favorite pet. He was so charmed by the gift that he brought it to his office so he could have his pal with him at work as well as home! Something that was so personalized and special definitely beat the wine opener set I had given him.

Gifts for Husbands and Boyfriends

We may know our significant others well, but sometimes finding the right gift for them can be a frustrating experience. After all, we try so hard to find the perfect gift, and anything less than that can make us feel like a failure. So when searching for boyfriends and husbands, remember the key rule, keep things personal! Maybe you want to take him out to dinner at his favorite restaurant. There’s nothing wrong with this idea, but you can certainly make it a little more exciting than just telling him what you’re doing. Get a gift card for the restaurant, and have a cute stuffed animal hold the card for a presentation that’s a lot more fun. If they have a favorite animal, get the plush representation for an even more thoughtful gift. For example, get them a plush dog, plush cat, or stuffed lion, if one of those is his favorite. Stuffed animals can also be a great way to jazz up a Valentine’s gift. Maybe you’ve planned a romantic evening together. A plush toy can be a great way to tell him in a cute and sexy way. For example, get a stuffed tiger and write the message on it “I’m waiting for you, Tiger,” and have the plush toy hold a nice piece of your lingerie.

Remember, the key to a great gift for men is personalization. Get them something that shows you really understand and support their hobbies and personality, and then think about what you can do to make it even more special. Use your imagination and you’ll both be thrilled with the result!

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