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31

Nutrition and Food Engineering / 15 Worst Snacks for Weight Loss

« on: November 21, 2013, 03:04:53 PM »

Here are 15 weight loss-sabotaging snacks to avoid, and the tasty swaps to make instead.

(1)Instead of: Strawberry yogurt
Reach for: Plain Greek yogurt with fresh strawberry slices
 Some fruit-on-the-bottom varieties of yogurt contain 26 grams of sugar in a six-ounce container (that's the equivalent of three Oreo cookies). And while 12 grams of that comes from the milk itself, the rest is from the sugar-packed fruit flavoring. A recent study review published in the BMJ found that cutting back on sugar is associated with about a two-pound weight loss, while eating more results in a similar amount of weight gain. Stick to plain Greek yogurt for less sugar and a healthy dose of protein

(2) Instead of: ½ cup of trail mix with chocolate pieces
Reach for: A fruit-and-nut bar
The standard serving size of trail mix is a quarter cup, a measly amount that most of never come close to sticking to--especially when eating straight out of the bag (just two handfuls put you at 350 calories!). A fruit-and-nut bar, like KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt or a LaraBar is great way to meet your craving for something nutty and slightly sweet, but in a single-serve package that you can't overdo.

(3)Instead of: An ounce of pretzels
Reach for: An ounce of salted, shelled pistachios
 Pretzels pack 450 mg of sodium--that's nearly 20% of what you need in an entire day. Besides not being a good call for your heart, excess sodium can also make uncomfortably. Salted nuts, on the other hand, contain just a quarter the sodium. And if you're worried about the fat in the nuts, don't be: While the pistachios do have 50 more calories per serving than the pretzels, they also contain twice the protein and three times the fiber to keep you fuller longer. Plus, people who added nuts to their diet lost more weight compared to those who snacked on pretzels, according to a recent UCLA study.

(4)Instead of: ¼ cup of soy nuts
Reach for: ½ cup shelled, steamed edamame
While a quarter-cup of soy nuts is 130 calories, a single-serve packet of edamame (which can be steamed in the microwave and is available in the freezer section of your grocery store) is only 90 calories. Translation? You get twice the food for fewer calories.

(5)Instead of: A can of diet soda
Reach for: 12 oz of unsweetened sparkling water with fruit slices
Many people drink zero calorie sodas when trying to stave off hunger between meals. However, the artificial sweetener you're knocking back along with the bubbles has been linked to an increased risk of weight gain--the sweeteners may negatively impact your metabolism, as well as throw off your brain's ability to regulate your appetite, finds a 2013 study in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. If you're really just thirsty instead of hungry, opting for sparkling H20 provides that filling carbonation, while adding fruit (orange, lemon, strawberries) adds a hint of sweetness with a boost of nutrition. Still not convinced you need to give up your diet soda habit? You will be when you read the 7 Scary Side Effects of Diet Soda.

(6)Instead of: Two rice cakes
Reach for: One cup of air-popped popcorn
 Rice cakes have long been labeled a diet food because they're low in calories and fat free. But they're also sky high on the glycemic index, scoring 82 (pure sugar is 100). The glycemic index is a measure of how a food raises your blood sugar and insulin (the higher the score, the greater the increase). And according to Australian research, people who ate a diet lower on the glycemic index lost twice as much fat compared to those on higher glycemic diets.

One cup of air-popped popcorn is only 31 calories, has a lower glycemic index (55), and also counts as a serving of whole grains. Plus, you can jazz up plain popcorn with zero-calorie spices--like cinnamon, cumin, chili powder--to make it tastier. (Just be sure to avoid microwave popcorn, one of these 7 Foods You Should Never, Ever Eat.)

(7)Instead of: A 16-ounce bottled smoothie
Reach for: A homemade smoothie
At first glance, the bottled smoothie might look like a good pick at only 150 calories. But look closer and you'll see that that one bottle contains two servings (or 300 total calories), and, let's be real, most of us aren't just going to drink half the bottle. A better bet? Make your own and control the calories yourself. These 25 delectable detox smoothies are a good place to start!

(8)Instead of: One ounce of banana chips
Reach for: A banana
 Banana chips appear to be a sound choice because they're made from bananas-how bad could they be, right? Bad. They're usually fried, meaning they contain eight grams of saturated fat (40% of your daily value) and 145 calories. A diet high in saturated fat has been found to disrupt the production of key hormones that regulate your appetite, which could make you feel hungry when you're not, finds a study in the British Journal of Nutrition. Opt for a large banana, which offers only 121 calories and zero grams of saturated fat.

(9)Instead of: A grande 2% pumpkin spice latte
Reach for: A grande non-fat latte
 While a pumpkin latte feels like the perfect fall snack, it's not exactly bursting with pumpkin. Rather, it's bursting with sugar, clocking in at 47 grams of sugar and 310 calories--and that's without the whipped cream. To put that in perspective, an unsweetened latte contains 18 grams of sugar (from the milk). That means, the pumpkin drink packs 29 added grams of sugar, or more than seven teaspoons of sugar. Women are only advised to get six added teaspoons of the sweet stuff a day to prevent weight gain, according to the American Heart Association. Go for a skim latte instead, which contains no added sugar and only 130 calories.

(10)Instead of: A chocolate pudding cup
Reach for: One ounce of dark chocolate
 When you're craving something chocolate-y a pudding cup gets a good rep as a diet-friendly treat. But you'll satisfy your craving more if you go for the real deal, an ounce of 70% (or higher) dark chocolate. It contains 168 calories (just a few more calories than the average pudding cup, which ranges from 120 to 150 calories), plus less sugar and carbs, and more satiating fiber. The chocolate also has antioxidant-packed cocoa, which, per a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, may be the reason people who eat it a few times a week are thinner than those who don't. If portioning is an issue for you, Endangered Species Organic Dark Chocolate Chimp Mints ($50, pack of 64; amazon.com ) come in .35 oz each (so you can have 3!), or try 1-oz Scharffen Berger 70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate bars ($4; amazon.com).

(11)Instead of: A handful of baby carrots
Reach for: A handful of baby carrots dipped in 2 Tbsp hummus
Sure, your mouth will be busy chewing like a rabbit, but once you stop munching, you're still going to be hungry. Carrots alone likely don't have enough calories to keep you full for very long--so as good as your intentions are, your hunger may drive you to dip into the office candy stash soon after. Instead, pair them with a protein source like hummus, which will help slow digestion and keep afternoon cravings at bay.

(12)Instead of: ½ cup of canned pears
Reach for: 4 dried plums
 Even though it's fruit, the canned pears are swimming in sweetened syrup, and they're also low in fiber, with only one gram per serving. Eating four dried plums--aka prunes--provides a few less calories (91 in the dried plums versus 100 in canned pears) and ups your intake of fiber to three grams. Women should aim to get 25 grams of fiber per day--but most only eat half that--and increasing your intake by 10 grams a day is associated with a smaller waist circumference and weight, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.


(13)Instead of: One serving of cheese crackers (27 crackers)
Reach for: A half of a turkey sandwich on whole wheat with a slice of avocado
 Twenty-seven cheese crackers in a serving sounds like a sweet deal, but like all bargains, if it sounds too good to be true...well, you know how it goes. The crackers are high in simple carbohydrates like enriched flours, which spike blood sugar and create cravings (for more crackers). You can decrease that response and slow digestion with 100% whole grain bread, a source of protein, and healthy fats. Upping the intake of whole grains helped female dieters lose nearly two pounds more and decrease their body fat by one additional percentage point than a group that ate refined grains, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition.

More from Prevention: 20 Perfect Workout Snacks

(14)Instead of: ½ cup granola with one-cup skim milk
Reach for: One packet of instant oats
 If you get hungry before lunch, you might want a second breakfast--and that's okay! But granola is little more than sugar and fat, which is why this healthy-sounding snack can run upward of 360 calories. And people tend to eat bigger portions when the food is labeled healthy (like granola), according to a recent French study. The instant oats, on the other hand, contain about 150 calories and can be easily whipped up in a cup with hot water. Oats also offer a surprisingly good amount of protein, plus slow-digesting fiber from whole grains.

(15)Instead of: 100-calorie pack of cookies
Reach for: One-third cup of roasted pumpkin seeds
 Smaller packages actually backfire, according to a study from Arizona State University, which found that people tend to eat more 100-calorie packs because they appear to be diet food. Besides, cookies--even diet versions--are almost always devoid of nutrients. Pumpkin seeds contain good fats and protein and can be pre-portioned out into individual bags to take to work. A one-third cup serving of roasted seeds is just 94 calories.

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/15-worst-snacks-weight-loss-155700678.html

32

Public Health / 11 Bad Habits That Make Your Hair Thinner

« on: November 17, 2013, 04:09:14 PM »

Many aspects of our lifestyle—from what we eat to how we style our hair—affect the strength of hair fibers,” says Alan Baumann, MD, a Boca Raton-based hair transplant surgeon and physician specializing in hair loss. And that’s good news: Thicker hair is just about making a few simple tweaks to your lifestyle.

Here, the 10 worst strand saboteurs, and how to get them out of your routine for good.

1.Taking steamy showers

Hot water dehydrates strands (just like skin), leading to dry, brittle hair that’s more prone to snap and fall out, explains Ryan Welter, MD, a Boston-based hair transplant surgeon. “Not only are you washing your hair’s protective oils down the drain, but the heat throws your scalp's pores into overdrive to keep up with oil production, which can damage the root and lead to additional shedding.” (One in 4 women experience hair loss! Click here to find out 9 Reasons Your Hair Is Thinning (And What to Do About It))

Save your strands: Take the temp down a few degrees. “Opt for a warm shower, and try to rinse hair with the coolest temperature possible.”


2.Using hot styling tools

Scorching temps damage the proteins that make up your hair and its protective cuticle. “Once the cuticle is damaged, the moisture balance is disrupted and your hair is more prone to breakage,” says Dr. Bauman.

Save your strands: Limit your hot tool usage—even your blowdryer—to two or three times a week, and start with the coolest setting possible. Always apply a heat-protection spray, which creates a thermal barrier to reduce friction.(Did you know that eggs and olive oil hydrate your hair? Check out these 5 DIY Beauty Tricks for more at-home skin and hair helpers.)

3.Crash dieting

Starving yourself forces the body to direct its energy (the little it has) towards essential functions—like helping your heart and brain work—rather than making hair. In fact, when diagnosing anorexics, one of the top symptoms is severe hair loss, says Paradi Mirmirani, a Vallejo, California dermatologist specializing in hair disorders.
The 10 Best Foods for Your Hair

Save your strands: Eat a healthy diet with plenty of lean protein like fish, chicken, lentils and beans. "Hair is primarily made of protein,” she explains. “It’s the one thing that can make or break your hair if you’re not getting enough.” Aim for 46 grams per day (or about 25 to 30-percent of your total calories).Avoid these 8 Diet And Exercise Mistakes That Age You.


4.Mishandling wet hair

Our strands are never more fragile—and prone to breakage—than when they’re saturated with H2O, since the protective cuticle is slightly raised. Brushing or combing locks in the shower, then following with aggressive towel-drying, create the perfect storm for snapping it off.

Save your strands: Minimize post-shower brushing by combing before hair gets wet. Then, blot (don’t rub!) hair with a soft towel after your shower. (Did you know you can prevent, reverse, and even cure hundreds of conditions? It's all inside The Doctors Book of Home Remedies.)

5.Wearing tight hairstyles

If a tight ponytail or braid is your go-to, beware: Sporting these styles puts excessive tension on the hair follicles, damaging them and creating scars that destroy them permanently, says Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist specializing in hair health. This can lead to traction alopecia, a condition that permanently weakens the follicle and makes it impossible for hair to grow. 

Save your strands: Loosen up! Try wearing your hair down whenever possible (especially while sleeping; rolling around on a pillow can create even more friction). When you do tie your strands back, keep it soft—if it’s pulling on your skin, it’s way too tight. (Don't sweat about a little hair loss -- these Best Treatments And Styles For Thinning Hair can keep you looking beautiful.)

6.Using long-lasting hold styling products

If your hairspray or gel claim All-day Mega-hold, they’re actually making your locks harder to hold on to. “These are usually high in alcohol, which makes hair dry and brittle,” says Dr. Mirmirani. “Once you comb or brush your hair, that residue causes the hair to break and fall out.”

Save your strands: Skip any products that make hair stiff or sticky. Instead, opt for softer-hold solutions like styling creams that keep hair’s moisture intact and don’t create friction when brushing. We like Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream ($30; amazon.com).

10 Biggest Hair Care Mistakes

7.Taking oral birth control pills

If you’re one of the many women who are sensitive to hair shedding or thinning due to hormonal changes, the wrong oral birth control can weaken your hair. “A pill that contains androgens can cause hair loss for someone who’s ‘androgen sensitive’ and doesn’t know it,” says Dr. Bauman.

Save your strands: Switch to low-androgen index birth control pills like norgestimate (in Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen), norethindrone (in Ovcon 35), desogestrel (in Mircette), or ethynodiol diacetate (in Demulen, Zovia). If you want to know whether you have an androgen sensitivity, a hair restoration physician can perform a quick cheek-swab genetic test.

8.Scratching your head

Itchy scalp (like that caused by seborrheic dermatitis) may result in hair loss due to scratching-induced hair damage, says Dr. Bauman. Once the cuticle is damaged, the hair fiber is prone to breakage.

Save your strands: Relieve the itch with a shampoo that contains selenium, zinc pyrithione, or tea tree oil, like Head & Shoulders Extra Strength Dandruff Shampoo. If over-the-counter products don’t help, your doctor can prescribe prescription antifungal shampoo or cortisone foam.

9.Soaking up the sun

Even if you’ve (wisely) given up tanning, chances are your hair is still exposed to UV rays, which eat away at the strength and elasticity of your hair. “Prolonged UV exposure causes the layers of the cuticle to weaken and break, resulting in brittle hair that can lead to hair loss,” says Dr. Bauman.

Save your strands: Wear a hat -- preferably one with built-in UV protection -- whenever possible (and don't forget to tuck your ponytail underneath). Worried about hat hair? Try using a leave-in conditioner with built-in sunscreen like Kerastase Soleil Micro-Voile Protecteur ($50; amazon.com ). Find the perfect formula for you with our guide to the 6 Best Easy-To-Use Sunscreens.

Not washing hair often enough

Now that dry shampoo is a staple in most of our beauty arsenals, it’s easier than ever to skip a few days between washing. Convenient? Yes. But not so great for your hair: “A buildup of product or excessive dandruff on the scalp has been shown to clog hair follicles, and if it’s bad enough, it can be difficult for hair to grow,” says Dr. Day.

Save your strands: There's nothing wrong with skipping shampoo for a day. But if it becomes a habit, product residue, dirt, and oil can clog pores in the scalp. Be sure to wash your hair every two days, especially if you’re sweating or using lots of products. To prevent excessive dryness, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo like L'Oreal Paris Ever Strong Thickening Shampoo ($6; amazon.com).

10.Taking certain medications

Certain medications (like statins, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents, anti-hypertensive medications) or hormones (like thyroid replacement drugs) can cause hair loss. “These can disrupt or interfere with the normal cycle of hair growth, causing hair to go into a resting phase and fall out prematurely,” says Dr. Bauman.

33

Applied Maths / Mathematics: Everywhere & Everyday

« on: November 11, 2013, 03:06:44 PM »

Mathematics expresses itself everywhere, in almost every facet of life - in nature all around us, and in the technologies in our hands. Mathematics is the language of science and engineering - describing our understanding of all that we observe.

The Mathematics Everywhere & Everyday Exhibition explores the many wonders and uses of mathematics in our lives. This exhibition is divided into nine areas focusing on different aspects of mathematics.

In Counting:

Counting various quantities is one of the activities that people engage in from young. However, sometimes we wonder, just how big is one million? See how much space one million saga seeds occupy and be awed by numbers that you can relate to in your daily lives like the number of heartbeats in a typical lifetime.

Sometimes, numbers can be used to fool people. Some exhibits in this section provide a few examples of well-known mathematical tricks.

34

Nutrition and Food Engineering / 6 Delicious Breakfast-for-Dinner Recipes

« on: November 05, 2013, 04:27:10 PM »

Having your morning meal at night is often a quick, healthy, and inexpensive to perk up your go-to dinner menu. It’s a fast way to get a hot, healthy meal on the table; it lets you use up hodge-podge fridge items; and you can work in healthy foods you’d be unlikely to have for dinner otherwise. Consider these variations on breakfast classics.

1.Veggie Strata
This tasty egg strata recipe from Prevention.com is chock-full of antioxidant-rich broccoli and onions, which lend a savory note. Multigrain bread lends extra fiber, and even with eggs and cheese this hearty breakfast-for-dinner idea still comes in at under 300 calories per serving.

2. Slow Cooker Breakfast
Casserole:
With hashbrowns, ham, bacon, or sausage, and a layer of onions, peppers, and cheese, this hearty breakfast casserole recipe satisfies as a cozy fall dinner. Make it leaner by adding more veggies, using low-fat cheese, or swapping in turkey bacon or chicken sausage to cut fat and calories. If you prep the ingredients the night before, it’s effortless assembly in the morning.

3.Healthy French Toast:

If mornings are too hectic to whip up delicious French toast, make it part of an evening meal. It doesn’t get much simpler than this low-key, healthy French toast recipe as breakfast for dinner. With only 160 calories per serving, you can easily add a cup of yogurt for extra protein and nutrients.

4. Shallot-Mushroom Quiche

Quiches can provide a tasty serving of fiber- and antioxidant-packed veggies alongside filling protein from eggs; and you can start with a premade crust to save on time and effort. In this vegetarian quiche from Delish.com, mushrooms stand out with their antiviral and anti-cancer effects. Pair with a green salad to introduce even more nutrients to this breakfast-for-dinner meal.

5. Corn Cake Pancakes

This savory version of corn-based pancakes pairs nicely with salsa and sour cream. Corn contains antioxidants and packs 6 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein in a half-cup serving; this breakfast-for-dinner recipe might even work for Sunday brunch, too.

6. Frittata with Salmon and Scallions

Even if you dislike salmon, try this low-fat frittata recipe from Prevention.com with a smoked version of the omega-3-rich fish; you’ll get 10 grams of protein for only 186 calories per serving! Round out your breakfast-for-dinner meal with a side salad for extra veggies and serve Greek yogurt and berries for dessert.


Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/breakfast-for-dinner/#ixzz2jlX1NFe3
Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/breakfast-for-dinner/#ixzz2jlWw57Ko
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Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/breakfast-for-dinner/#ixzz2jlWKUb4I

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Nutrition and Food Engineering / 27 Ideas for a Healthier Breakfast

« on: November 05, 2013, 04:14:46 PM »

Make the most important meal of the day a better one with these healthy breakfast tips and guidelines.

Not only is breakfast the first food and drink your body has had in more than 8 hours, but studies find that what you eat for breakfast influences what you eat the rest of the day. Additionally, people who eat breakfast are significantly less likely to be obese and have diabetes than those who don’t.

The most important tip is to eat breakfast every day. Without exception. This one action alone can make a huge, positive difference in your health. But a doughnut or oversized muffin won’t do it. The key is to choose energy-enhancing, health-invigorating foods. That’s what we’ll focus on in the tips ahead.

1. Be consistent with your portions. For most people, a perfect breakfast has three components: one serving of a whole grain carbohydrate, one serving of a dairy or high-calcium food, and one serving of fruit. Together, that would add up to roughly 300 calories. A high-protein serving (i.e., a meat or an egg) is unnecessary but certainly acceptable, as long as it doesn’t add too much fat or calories to the mix. Here are a few winning combinations, based on this formula:

    A bowl of high-fiber, multigrain cereal, lots of strawberries, and low-fat milk on top.
    A granola bar, an apple, and a cold glass of milk.
    A cup of nonfat yogurt, fresh blueberries mixed in, and a slice of whole wheat toast with a fruit spread on top.
    A mini whole wheat bagel, spread lightly with cream cheese and jam; a peach; and a cup of yogurt.
    A scrambled egg, a whole wheat roll, fresh fruit salad, and a cup of low-fat milk.
    A low-fat muffin, a wedge of cantaloupe, and a cup of latte made with skim milk.

2. Have a bowl of sweetened brown rice. Consider it a takeoff on prepared cereal. Brown rice is full of energy-providing B vitamins, as well as a great source of filling fiber. Cook the rice the night before, then in the morning, put it in a bowl with a spoonful of honey, a handful of raisins, a cut-up apple, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a unique yet delicious treat. Don’t like rice? Try any of the cooking grains: barley, rye, red wheat, oats, buckwheat, quinoa, or millet.

3. Pour a cup of fruit smoothie. Simply whir a cup of strawberries and a banana in the blender, add a scoop of protein powder and a cup of crushed ice, and you’ve got a healthy, on-the-go breakfast filled with antioxidants. Toss in a cup of plain yogurt, and you’ve just added a bone-strengthening dose of calcium. An added bonus: You’ve just crossed three of your daily fruit servings off the list.

Plus: 8 Healthy Breakfast Recipes for More Energy

4. Use organic eggs. They’re not much more expensive than regular eggs but are much higher in all-important omega-3 fatty acids, shown to benefit everything from your mental health (reducing risk of depression) to your heart health (reducing risk of atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation), says Fred Pescatore, M.D., author of The Hamptons Diet and a physician at Partners in Integrative Medicine in New York City.

5. Sprinkle on a teaspoon of ground flaxseeds. It could be over your cereal, over your yogurt, over your smoothie, or over your eggs. Next to fish and organic eggs, flaxseeds are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Read more: http://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/27-ideas-for-a-healthier-breakfast/#ixzz2jlTsOiWo

36

Nutrition and Food Engineering / Easy Ways to Lose Weight

« on: November 05, 2013, 04:09:54 PM »

1. Indulge in fat releasing foods. They should help keep you from feeling deprived and binging on higher-calorie foods. For instance:

    Honey. Just 64 fat releasing calories in one tablespoon. Drizzle on fresh fruit.
    Eggs. Just 70 calories in one hard-boiled egg, loaded with fat releasing protein. Sprinkle with chives for an even more elegant treat.
    Part-skim ricotta cheese. Just 39 calories in one ounce of this food, packed with fat releasing calcium. Dollop over a bowl of fresh fruit for dessert.
    Dark chocolate. About 168 calories in a one-ounce square, but it’s packed with fat releasing fiber.
    Shrimp. Just 60 calories in 12 large.
    MORE: 13 fat releasing foods »

2. Treat high-calorie foods as jewels in the crown. Make a spoonful of ice cream the jewel and a bowl of fruit the crown. Cut down on the chips by pairing each bite with lots of chunky, filling fresh salsa, suggests Jeff Novick, director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida. Balance a little cheese with a lot of salad.

3. After breakfast, make water your primary drink. At breakfast, go ahead and drink orange juice. But throughout the rest of the day, focus on water instead of juice or soda. The average American consumes an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That’s nearly 90,000 calories a year — or 25 pounds! And research shows that despite the calories, sugary drinks don’t trigger a sense of fullness the way that food does.

4. Carry a palm-size notebook everywhere you go for one week. Write down every single morsel that enters your lips—even water. Studies have found that people who maintain food diaries wind up eating about 15 percent less food than those who don’t.

5. Buy a pedometer, clip it to your belt, and aim for an extra 1,000 steps a day. On average, sedentary people take only 2,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Adding 2,000 steps will help you maintain your current weight and stop gaining weight; adding more than that will help you lose weight.

6. Add 10 percent to the amount of daily calories you think you’re eating, then adjust your eating habits accordingly. If you think you’re consuming 1,700 calories a day and don’t understand why you’re not losing weight, add another 170 calories to your guesstimate. Chances are, the new number is more accurate.

7. Eat five or six small meals or snacks a day instead of three large meals. A 1999 South African study found that when men ate parts of their morning meal at intervals over five hours, they consumed almost 30 percent fewer calories at lunch than when they ate a single breakfast. Other studies show that even if you eat the same number of calories distributed this way, your body releases less insulin, which keeps blood sugar steady and helps control hunger.

8. Walk for 45 minutes a day. The reason we’re suggesting 45 minutes instead of the typical 30 is that a Duke University study found that while 30 minutes of daily walking is enough to prevent weight gain in most relatively sedentary people, exercise beyond 30 minutes results in weight and fat loss. Burning an additional 300 calories a day with three miles of brisk walking (45 minutes should do it) could help you lose 30 pounds in a year without even changing how much you’re eating.

9. Find an online weight-loss buddy. A University of Vermont study found that online weight-loss buddies help you keep the weight off. The researchers followed volunteers for 18 months. Those assigned to an Internet-based weight maintenance program sustained their weight loss better than those who met face-to-face in a support group.

10. Bring the color blue into your life more often. There’s a good reason you won’t see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: Believe it or not, the color blue functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage eating.

Read more: http://www.rd.com/health/diet-weight-loss/easy-ways-to-lose-weight-50-ideas/#ixzz2jlSu43FZ

37

Nutrition and Food Engineering / New Potato Salad

« on: July 30, 2013, 03:48:16 PM »

Ingredients


900 g tiny new potatoes   , scrubbed
2 T dry white vermouth or dry white wine   
1 t white wine vinegar   , or to taste
Pepper to Taste   
1 garlic clove   , finely chopped
3 T low-fat mayonnaise   
5 T natural low-fat yogurt   
1⁄2 large firm cucumber   , diced
80 g spring onions   , thinly sliced
3 T chopped fresh dill   
1 1⁄2 T chopped fresh tarragon
fresh dill and tarragon leaves to garnish      

Preparation

1.         Cook the potatoes in a saucepan of boiling water for about 10 minutes or until they are just tender. Drain and return them to the pan. Set over a low heat and shake them around for a few minutes to evaporate any moisture. Transfer the potatoes to a mixing bowl and leave to cool for about 5 minutes.
 
2.         Sprinkle the vermouth or wine and wine vinegar over the potatoes. Season with pepper. Turn the potatoes to mix, then leave to cool completely.
 
3.         Meanwhile, mix together the garlic, mayonnaise and yogurt in a small bowl until smooth.
When the potatoes are cool, add the cucumber, spring onions, dill and tarragon. Spoon on the mayonnaise and yogurt mixture, and stir gently to mix everything together. Serve at room temperature or chilled, garnished with dill and tarragon leaves.



A potato salad with a creamy dressing is always a winner, and the version here, with cucumber, spring onions and fresh herbs, is sure to become a firm favourite. Potatoes are full of goodness, particularly if the skins are left on.
 - See more at: http://www.rdasia.com/new-potato-salad#sthash.RIk4o776.dpuf

38

Nutrition and Food Engineering / 7 ways exercise keeps you young

« on: July 30, 2013, 03:38:32 PM »

 1. You fend off muscle loss
In 2010, the Japanese Nakanojo Study of exercise in older people found that walking 7000 to 8000 steps a day helped to preserve muscle mass in a group of 175 people aged 65 to 84.
 
2. You sleep better
In tests carried out at Chicago’s Northwestern University, a 16-week program of walking, cycling or treadmill training for 40 minutes four times a week, together with tips on sleep hygiene, helped break the sleepless cycle of people aged 55-plus who were suffering from chronic insomnia.
 
3. Your confidence is boosted
Exercise makes you feel better about yourself, which motivates you to carry on, according to research on older people that was carried out at Stanford University, California.
 
4. Your bones are stronger
When Finnish researchers put 149 women aged 70 to 78 through an all-round exercise program, combining balance, agility, jumping and weights work, they found their bones became stronger – protecting against osteoporosis.


Link:http://www.rdasia.com/7-ways-exercise-keeps-you-young
 
5. You are calmer
In 2011, scientists at the University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Quebec, found a chemical link between exercise and mood. In a study of men aged 57 to 70, an hour on the treadmill boosted their absorption of tryptophan, an amino acid associated with relaxed mood and found in foods such as turkey, lettuce and milk.
 
6. You live longer
An active lifestyle after the age of 50 can add four and a half years to your life, according to the Framingham Heart Study, which has been following the health of 5209 residents of Framingham, Massachusetts, since 1948.
 
7. You keep your brain sharp
A growing body of research suggests that being physically active can help preserve mental function. One 2011 study conducted in Paris found that just half an hour’s brisk walking daily could slow cognitive decline by five to seven years. Physical activity is also linked to lower levels of protein plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
- See more at: http://www.rdasia.com/7-ways-exercise-keeps-you-young#sthash.cV4xbiBZ.dpuf

39

Applied Maths / Some Well known differential Equation

« on: May 22, 2013, 03:40:28 PM »

 Abel's differential equation
y^'=f_0(x)+f_1(x)y+f_2(x)y^2+f_3(x)y^3+...    
(26)
[g_0(x)+g_1(x)y]y^'=f_0(x)+f_1(x)y+f_2(x)y^2+f_3(x)y^3.    
(27)

Airy differential equation
y^('')-xy=0.    
(28)

Anger differential equation
y^('')+(y^')/x+(1-(nu^2)/(x^2))y=(x-nu)/(pix^2)sin(nupi).    
(29)

Baer differential equations
(x-a_1)(x-a_2)y^('')+1/2[2x-(a_1+a_2)]y^'-(p^2x+q^2)y=0,    
(30)
(x-a_1)(x-a_2)y^('')+1/2[2x-(a_1+a_2)]y^'-(k^2x^2-p^2x+q^2)y=0.    
(31)

Bernoulli differential equation
y^'+p(x)y=q(x)y^n.    
(32)

Bessel differential equation
x^2y^('')+xy^'+(lambda^2x^2-n^2)y=0.    
(33)

Binomial differential equation
(y^')^m=f(x,y).    
(34)

Bôcher equation
y^('')+1/2[(m_1)/(x-a_1)+...+(m_(n-1))/(x-a_(n-1))]y^' +1/4[(A_0+A_1x+...+A_lx^l)/((x-a_1)^(m_1)(x-a_2)^(m_2)...(x-a_(n-1))^(m_(n-1)))]y=0.    
(35)

Briot-Bouquet equation
x^my^'=f(x,y).    
(36)

Chebyshev differential equation
(1-x^2)y^('')-xy^'+alpha^2y=0.    
(37)

Clairaut's differential equation
y=xy^'+f(y^').    
(38)

Confluent hypergeometric differential equation
xy^('')+(c-x)y^'-ay=0.    
(39)

d'Alembert's equation
y=xf(y^')+g(y^').    
(40)

Duffing differential equation
y^('')+omega_0^2y+betay^3=0.    
(41)

Eckart differential equation
y^('')+[(alphaeta)/(1+eta)+(betaeta)/((1+eta)^2)+gamma]y=0,    
(42)

where eta=e^(deltax).

Emden-Fowler differential equation
(x^py^')^'+/-x^sigmay^n=0.    
(43)

Euler differential equation
x^2y^('')+axy^'+by=S(x).    
(44)

Halm's differential equation
(1+x^2)^2+y^('')+lambday=0.    
(45)

Hermite differential equation
y^('')-2xy^'+lambday=0.    
(46)

Heun's differential equation
w^('')+(gamma/x+delta/(x-1)+epsilon/(x-a))w^'+(alphabetax-q)/(x(x-1)(x-a))w=0,    
(47)

where w^'=dw/dx.

Hill's differential equation
y^('')+[theta_0+2sum_(n=1)^inftytheta_ncos(2nz)]y=0.    
(48)

Hypergeometric differential equation
x(x-1)y^('')+[(1+alpha+beta)x-gamma]y^'+alphabetay=0.    
(49)

Jacobi differential equation
(1-x^2)y^('')+[beta-alpha-(alpha+beta+2)x]y^'+n(n+alpha+beta+1)y=0.    
(50)

Laguerre differential equation
xy^('')+(1-x)y^'+lambday=0.    
(51)

Lamé's differential equation
(x^2-b^2)(x^2-c^2)z^('')+x(x^2-b^2+x^2-c^2)z^'-[m(m+1)x^2-(b^2+c^2)p]z=0,    
(52)

where z^'=dz/dx.

Lane-Emden differential equation
1/(xi^2)d/(dxi)(xi^2(dtheta)/(dxi))+theta^n=0.    
(53)

Legendre differential equation
(1-x^2)y^('')-2xy^'+alpha(alpha+1)y=0.    
(54)

Linear constant coefficients
a_0y^((n))+...+a_(n-1)y^'+a_ny=p(x).    
(55)

Lommel differential equation
x^2y^('')+xy^'-(x^2+nu^2)y=kx^(mu+1).    
(56)

Löwner's differential equation
y^'=-y(1+kappa(x)y)/(1-kappa(x)y).    
(57)

Malmstén's differential equation
y^('')+r/zy^'=(Az^m+s/(z^2))y.    
(58)

Mathieu differential equation
V^('')+[a-2qcos(2v)]V=0,    
(59)

where V^'=dV/dv.

Modified Bessel differential equation
x^2y^('')+xy^'-(x^2+n^2)y=0.    
(60)

Modified spherical Bessel differential equation
r^2R^('')+2rR^'-[k^2r^2+n(n+1)]R=0,    
(61)

where R^'=dR/dr

Rayleigh differential equation
y^('')-mu(1-1/3y^('2))y^'+y=0.    
(62)

Riccati differential equation
w^'=q_0(x)+q_1(x)w+q_2(x)w^2.    
(63)

Riemann P-Differential Equation
u^('')+[(1-alpha-alpha^')/(z-a)+(1-beta-beta^')/(z-b)+(1-gamma-gamma^')/(z-c)]u^' +[(alphaalpha^'(a-b)(a-c))/(z-a)+(betabeta^'(b-c)(b-a))/(z-b)+(gammagamma^'(c-a)(c-b))/(z-c)]u/((z-a)(z-b)(z-c))=0,    
(64)

where u^'=du/dz.

Sharpe's differential equation
zy^('')+y^'+(z+A)y=0.    
(65)

Spherical Bessel differential equation
r^2R^('')+2rR^'+[k^2r^2-n(n+1)]R=0,    
(66)

where R^'=dR/dr.

Struve differential equation
z^2y^('')+zy^'+(z^2-nu^2)y=(4(1/2z)^(nu+1))/(sqrt(pi)Gamma(nu+1/2)).    
(67)

Sturm-Liouville equation
d/(dx)[p(x)y^']+[lambdaw(x)-q(x)]y=0.    
(68)

Gegenbauer differential equation
(1-x^2)y^('')-(2alpha+1)xy^'+n(n+2alpha)y=0.    
(69)

van der Pol equation
y^('')-mu(1-y^2)y^'+y=0.    
(70)

Weber differential equation
y^('')+(n+1/2-1/4z^2)y=0,    
(71)

where y^'=dy/dz.

Whittaker differential equation
u^('')+u^'+(k/z+(1/4-m^2)/(z^2))u=0,    
(72)

where u^'=du/dz.

40

Applied Maths / Conservation of Mass

« on: May 16, 2013, 01:37:16 PM »

The law of conservation of mass, or principle of mass conservation, states that for any system closed to all transfers of matter and energy (both of which have mass), the mass of the system must remain constant over time, as system mass cannot change quantity if it is not added or removed. Hence, the quantity of mass is "conserved" over time. The law implies that mass can neither be created nor destroyed, although it may be rearranged in space, or the entities associated with it may be changed in form, as for example when light or physical work is transformed into particles that contribute the same mass to the system as the light or work had contributed. The law implies (requires) that during any chemical reaction, nuclear reaction, or radioactive decay in an isolated system, the mass of the reactants or starting material must equal the mass of the products.

Where is it used?

The concept of mass conservation is widely used in many fields such as chemistry, mechanics, and fluid dynamics. Historically, mass conservation was discovered in chemical reactions by Antoine Lavoisier in the late 18th century, and was of crucial importance in the progress from alchemy to the modern natural science of chemistry. The closely related concept of matter conservation was found to hold good in chemistry to such high approximation that it failed only for the high energies treated by the later refinements of relativity theory, but otherwise remains useful and sufficiently accurate for most chemical calculations, even in modern practice.

In special relativity, needed for accuracy when large energy transfers between systems is involved, the difference between thermodynamically closed and isolated systems becomes important, since conservation of mass is strictly and perfectly upheld only for so-called isolated systems, i.e. those completely isolated from all exchanges with the environment. In this circumstance, the mass-energy equivalence theorem states that mass conservation is equivalent to total energy conservation, which is the first law of thermodynamics. By contrast, for a thermodynamically closed system (i.e., one which is closed to exchanges of matter, but open to exchanges of non-material energy, such as heat and work, with the surroundings) mass is (usually) only approximately conserved. The input or output of non-material energy must change the mass of the system in relativity theory, although the change is usually small, since relatively large amounts of such energy (by comparison with ordinary experience) carry only a small amount of mass (again by ordinary standards of measurement).

In special relativity, mass is not converted to energy, since energy in all of its forms always retains its equivalent amount of mass throughout any transformation or translocation into, or out of, a system. However, certain types of matter (a different concept) may be converted to energy, so long as the mass of the system is unchanged in the process. However, if such energy is removed from systems, they must lose the mass that is associated with it.

In general relativity, mass (and energy) conservation in expanding volumes of space is a complex concept, subject to different definitions, and neither mass nor energy is as strictly and simply .

41

Interesting Maths / The Fibonacci Numbers in Flower

« on: November 17, 2012, 01:44:46 PM »

Did you know, for instance, that most daisies have 34, 55 or 89 petals? Those numbers should be familiar to you; they are the 9th, 10th, and 11th Fibonacci Numbers. Have you ever wondered why four-leaf clovers are so rare? It's because four isn't a Fibonacci Number. Here is a list of flowers with number of petals:

Number of Petals                         Flower
3 petals (or 2 sets of 3)                 lily (usually in 2 sets of 3 for 6 total), iris
5 petals                                         buttercup, wild rose, larkspur, columbine (aquilegia), vinca
8 petals                                        delphinium, coreopsis
13 petals                                        ragwort, marigold, cineraria
21 petals                                        aster, black-eyed susan, chicory
34 petals                                        plantain, daisy, pyrethrum
55 petals                                       daisy, the asteraceae family
89 petals                                       daisy, the asteraceae family

    There are exceptions to this list. Most fall into two categories; a doubling of the number of petals, and/or a version of the Fibonacci Series called the Lucas Series (2, 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, 29, 47, 76, etc.). Mutations and variations from species to species also account for exceptions but when the number of petals are averaged, the number will usually be a Fibonacci or Lucas Number.





Source:Online Resource

42

Problems and Solutions / Problem with restricted distribution

« on: November 13, 2012, 07:11:29 PM »

In how many different ways can 12 identical apples be distributed among 3 children so that each child receives at least two but no more than 3 apples?

43

Interesting Maths / Algebra Puzzle

« on: November 13, 2012, 04:12:20 PM »

Solve the following:

ABCD × D = DCBA

The Solution . . .
1089 × 9=9801

44

Interesting Maths / A Weighty Problem Puzzle

« on: November 13, 2012, 04:09:13 PM »

A Weighty Problem
I have ten boxes which I want to pack into crates. Each crate can carry a maximum of 25 kg.

But I only have three crates, and the total weight of the boxes is 75kg:

15 kg, 13kg, 11 kg, 10 kg, 9 kg, 8 kg, 4 kg, 2 kg, 2kg, 1 kg

How can I pack the boxes into the crates?
The solution is:
Our Solution:
Ten possible answers :

{Crate 1}, {Crate 2}, {Crate 3}
{15,10}, {13,8,4}, {11,9,2,2,1}
{15,10}, {13,11,1}, {9,8,4,2,2}
{15,10}, {11,8,4,2}, {13,9,2,1}
{15,10}, {11,9,4,1}, {13,8,2,2}
{11,10,4}, {15,8,2}, {13,9,2,1}
{11,10,4}, {15,9,1}, {13,8,2,2}
{13,8,4}, {15,9,1}, {11,10,2,2}
{13,10,2}, {15,8,2}, {11,9,4,1}
{13,10,2}, {15,9,1}, {11,8,4,2}
{13,11,1}, {15,8,2}, {10,9,4,2}

45

Interesting Maths / In New York City, there are two non-bald people who have the same number of hair

« on: November 13, 2012, 03:51:54 PM »

 In New York City, there are two non-bald people who have the same number of hairs on their head.

The human head can contain up to several hundred thousand hairs, with a maximum of about 500,000. In comparison there are millions of people in New York City. According to pigeonhole principle, at least two of them must share the same number of hairs.