Little Known Secrets In Your Larder

Cayenne: (also known as Capsicum, hot pepper, chilli pepper, tabasco pepper). The majority of us have cayenne in our larders, and it is very commonly used in many food dishes. Cayenne can be found in many forms such as ground spices, teas, and would you believe it, topical creams.

It is well known for its antitoxidant action, and greatly helps with osteoathritis and rhumatoid athritis, shingles, and diabetic neuropathy.

A note of caution however: Cayenne may act with anticoagulant drugs so be sure to consult with your doctor. Excessive use may also irritate intestinal tract.

Manufactured topical capsacin creams can cause a burning sensation, so test first on a small area of skin, remembering to wash hands thoroughly after applying cream. This will avoid it spreading to eyes nose or other sensitive areas.

Fennel: is native to Mediterranean and is widely utilized throughout world. You will find it in teas, capsules, tinctures and lozenges.

Fennel can be used to help with bloating, flatulence, mild digestive spasms, catarrh, and coughs. It also has antimicrobal, antispadmodic, and anti inflammatory properties.

A note of caution here: Fennel can sometimes cause rare allergic skin and respiratory tract reactions. Fennel is also a potential source of synthetic oestrogens and should be avoided if you are pregnant.

Garlic: you can buy this fresh, or one you will most probably have in your larder will be dried. The downside of garlic is odour which it leaves on your breath, but chewing some parsley after eating will soon sort out that problem.

Garlic is also known to help stimulate immune system, and to help in fighting cancer. Well documented health benefits include lowering cholesterol,fighting infections, and reducing blood pressure.

Again a note of caution: garlic may also interact with anticoaglant drugs, so do be sure to check with your doctor if in any doubt. Rare cases of allergic reactions are known, and some people might possibly experience heartburn or even flatulence.

These are just a few of herbs you can use in cooking, but do remember that there are many many more, and benefits in using them frequently can be quite remarkable.

You will realize of course that when using them as part of any dish to use them sparingly, as to add too much would just spoil meal.

As with everything in life one should try and strike a balance, after all you know what they say "all things in moderation".

3. Start off on right foot: You got to eat something for breakfast every day. Not only will you start day with your stomach feeling satisfied, eating breakfast actually kick starts your metabolism so that you'll burn more calories throughout day.

4. Eat more often: Instead of eating 3 big regular meals each day, opt to have 5 smaller meals. After you eat, your body releases hormone insulin, which causes your body to store fat. The larger meal, more insulin your body releases. But smaller, more frequent meals keep insulin levels lower and more stable. The less insulin you have in your blood, more fat you burn, and less you store.

5. Try water first: If you're feeling "hungry," try drinking a glass of water first before you go grab something to much on. Sometimes we confuse thirst for hunger, and end up eating more food unnecessarily. If water doesn't make that hunger pang go away, you can always grab something to eat later. And bonus is that water would have helped you to feel fuller, so you don't have to eat as much!

6. Avoid snacks at night: After you've had your dinner, do not snack or eat supper. And never ever eat just before you go to bed. Take it from Oprah -- she says that one of her secrets to her successful weight loss is that she does not eat anything after 7:30pm... not even a grape.

7. Try a weekly one-day "cleanse": Choose 1 day in week to cleanse your system by taking only vegetable juices. And please use fresh vegetable juices if you can, and avoid canned stuff that are chock-full of sodium or added sugars!

Apply these 7 simple steps and you too will be able to overcome those plateaus easily.

Copyright 2005 Tracy Lee

Tracy Lee is the owner of the "Weight Loss for Women Over 40" site. Get the latest news, tips & tricks that can help women over 40 to lose weight safely and permanently, and your complimentary copy of our Special Report "9 Little-Known Insider Weight Loss Secrets To Help Women Over 40 Make Those Extra Pounds Disappear" instantly here: