goji berry recipe - Resources and Info Website: Not just A blog about goji berries side effects<BR><BR>

goji berries side effectsHelpful Hints to Lower Cholesterol

Are there ways you can lower cholesterol levels in my body without drugs? We live in such a drug heavy society that I want to be able to improve my health without taking drugs. Lowering cholesterol levels in our bodies can improve our overall health. It certainly isn�t that the drugs don�t work, they really will lower cholesterol in most cases, but there is that risk of long term or short term side effects from them.

One of the best ways to lower cholesterol levels is through diet. It sounds like a simple and straightforward solution to the problem, but it really is one of the best things you can do. By eating a low fat and low cholesterol diet, you can actually lower your cholesterol in addition to improving your overall health. The two go hand in hand and will help you feel better and put a smile on your face when those cholesterol level tests come back.

Another lifestyle change you can make to lower cholesterol is to exercise. One of the best steps you can take to lower your cholesterol is to improve your overall cardiovascular health through exercise. The exercise is actually not even what will lower your cholesterol. The exercise will strengthen your heart and your circulatory system to reverse the effects of high cholesterol.

This may seem obvious to some, but if you are a smoker, quit smoking. In smokers, the build of the plaque that high cholesterol builds in the arteries is accelerated. As the plaque builds up, your heart has to work harder and harder to push blood through the arteries. This harder work can cause a heart attack or even a stroke. If you quit smoking you can lower cholesterol levels and slow the build up of plaque in the arteries.

Get lower cholesterol levels by, of all things, taking it easy from time to time. Believe it or not, chronic stress can actually affect your cholesterol levels. In fact, if you are following a good diet, not smoking, and exercising but are still stressed, you may not see any improvement. Take the time to relax a little bit as part of your road to lower cholesterol levels. Get a massage, take a walk, or just kick back from time to time and enjoy time with your family or friends. Anything to make sure you are letting go of all the stresses in your life so that your body will be able to help you.

If you are trying to lower cholesterol levels, you will be amazed at how much you can actually accomplish without drugs. You can see improvement in a matter of weeks if you are disciplined and dedicated to making it happen without fear of side effects associated with certain drugs. Talk to your family doctor about other non-drug treatments to lower your cholesterol, and put yourself on the road to a healthier you without pumping prescription drugs into your body.

If you would like to find more of my personal articles on cholesterol please check out my health website!

Homemade Food Gift Baskets - Created By You

Gifts of food are welcomed and appreciated for all holidays and special occasions. It can be a basket of homemade goodies or it can be a more elaborate gift basket containing gourmet foods and a bottle of wine.

Wicker baskets are traditional containers, but there are many other containers that are suitable. Unbreakable containers like wooden crates, trays with an edge, basins, tubs, and ice buckets are good alternatives. Since theme gift baskets are very popular, here are three of my favorite themes when making a food gift basket.

Cookie Lover's Theme
This is a gift for anyone who loves sweets. It's a good idea for work associates and teachers as well as family and friends. A cookie jar, mixing bowl, or a basket are all nice containers. Line the container with a decorative towel, purchased shred, or tissue paper. Fill it with an assortment of cookies wrapped in small cello bags, purchased cookie mixes, chocolate chips, herbal tea, gourmet coffee, or envelopes of hot chocolate mix. Add a wooden spoon, spatula, and your favorite cookie recipes written on recipe cards. Wrap the completed gift in a cello bag, tied at the top with curly ribbon. If desired, tie a decorative cookie cutter in with the ribbon and add a gift card.

Barbecue Theme
This is a particularly nice idea for men on Father's Day, birthdays, or anniversaries. It's also a nice gift to take if you are invited as a guest to a barbecue or housewarming party. Use a container that can double as a cooler such as a metal or plastic basin, tray, or a pail. An unbreakable tray with an edge works well, too. Include gifts items such as bbq tools, an apron, an oven mitt, cookbook, or citronella candles. Barbecue sauces, marinades, rubs, hot sauce, and cans of soda or beer are all necessary items for a cookout.

Mexican/Southwestern Theme
Anyone who enjoys spicy food would be more than happy to receive an assortment of Mexican food items. The best tip I can gift you in creating this theme gift basket is to make it spicy and make it colorful. Place an assortment of spices, dry or canned beans, rice, bags of chips, and jars of salsa in a basket or a colorful bowl or serving tray. Add some fresh fruit such as avocados, lemons, limes, and pineapple. You may want to add a cookbook for Mexican food or beverages. Line the container with bright colored terry towels and top off your gift basket with some fresh peppers. Don't forget the makings for margaritas.

For assembly information, decorating tips, and unique container ideas for homemade food gift baskets, go to http://www.homemade-gift-basket-ideas.com/

How Do You Get A Degree In Culinary Arts?

It is important if you want to be a master chef that you do a Degree in culinary arts. There are a number of institutions that offer these degrees in every one of the localities. Where ever you are in the US you will find one closest to you. What is more? There are also universities that offer these courses on a remote learning basis too! These institutes however, insist that you visit either their campus or an affiliated campus for in house training at some point of time or other. How do you find the right Degree in culinary arts course for you?

Almost every one of the Universities in the country has a culinary course for you. They offer any of the numerous Degree in culinary arts courses and programs. There are special programs for full time learners as well as there are ones that are valid for the working people. Even the practicing culinary specialists also find it a necessity to enhance their skills using any of these degrees that are offered by the Universities. You can find the courses that are offered by these institutes and schools for culinary learning on line. The University web sites carry adequate information on how and when the course commences and what are the eligibility norms that they have. As a matter of fact, in most of this Degree in culinary arts courses, you will find that your interest is one of the prime factors and you can get a seat if you can support yourself for the course. Many of the people would choose their course only on two criteria. One, does the institute that offer this course is specialized in the area that you are interested in? There could be a number of specialist institutes that would help you in learning Italian and European cuisine. But which one of them is the specialist one? If you want to really excel and be known for it, then you will possibly like to attend the best Degree in culinary arts.

The second criterion that students consider would be the factor of cost. How much is it going to cost me if I am going to do a course in there? Quite a valid question, particularly, since you need to support yourself for the entire course. In most of the institutions where you do the course of this kind, you will also find that you can work part time. Meaning there are restaurants and other off site service centers where the school would be catering to the requirements of their culinary fans. This will also help the school and its students practice what they are taught. Learning skills will be enhanced and this would result in a better understanding of the working methods.

Under this condition, the cost of the Degree in culinary arts could almost come down to zero. There are institutes that offer tuition fee waivers if you work part time. There are also others that pay on specific events. When there is an event where the school takes your help then you get paid for it.

Francisco Segura owns and operates http://www.culinaryartsguide.net

Culinary Arts