Search Weight Loss Topics:

Page 1,597«..1020..1,5961,5971,5981,599..1,6101,620..»

Home » Page 1597

Weve all established that for fat loss, the only thing that matters is a caloric deficit which you achieve by weighing your food and tracking. To track your food efficiently, you have to cook your food yourself. While this isnt a problem for most, it can be quite challenging for students in hostels, people that work long hours or anyone that doesnt want to go through the stress of extreme tracking. Here are some great tips on how you can achieve a caloric deficit without strict tracking. All youre going to need is a free application called myfitnesspal, a kitchen scale to weight your food and a bathroom scale.

Focus on foods with fixed calories

There are a lot of foods that have set amounts and hence set calories for example eggs, bread slices, frozen foods, foods packaged in single servings. Adding these into your diet allow you to track your food without weighing them on a scale.

Meal prep is your best friend

For foods that need to be weighed like chicken, vegetables, rice, pasta etc, all you have to do is dedicate a few hours to meal prep for two weeks and youre sorted. Boil chicken and add 100g into packets, steam veggies and store in single servings, boil rice/pasta/cook a chapati in single servings and store them. Toss one serving of rice, one serving of veggies and one serving of chicken together in a lunch box, top with your favourite sauce and your meal is ready in less than three minutes. Alternatively, you can mix the boiled chicken with your favourite sauce and add into a sandwich with a side of veggies.

Frozen foods go a long way

If youre one of those people that cant manage meal prep, frozen foods have a large variety of protein options that you can use instead of chicken. They also have all the nutritional info mentioned on the box making them really easy to track.

International fast food chains

If you can order take out frequently, international fast food chains have all their nutritional info available on their websites through which you can track the foods you eat. Just remember to overestimate calories a bit since theyre not efficiently weighing all their portions.

A little uncertainty wont make much of a difference

Nutritional info for fruits is available by pieces. While Id prefer weighing in grams, it wont make enough of a difference to harm your progress even if youre tracking by pieces. Similarly, almost all vegetables are extremely low calorie. Estimating amounts with vegetables shouldnt make much of a difference either.

Sweet cravings

Now that meals are sorted, what do I do about deserts? Again, packaged goods! Chocolates, cupcakes, soft cakes, biscuits, basically anything with a label that you can track and youre good to go.

Fat loss requires consistency, dedication and most importantly no excuses. If youre determined, youll find a way no matter where you are or what you do.

More:
HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT STRICTLY TRACKING CALORIES | Health & Nutrition - Mag The Weekly Magazine

Read More..

How one Durham program, Bull City Fit, is partnering doctors concerned about childrens health with parks departments to change young lives.

On a rainy, cold and dark winter evening, several dozen children from age 5 into their teenage years gathered in the courtyard of a Durham Parks and Recreation building, counting out stretches, jumping jacks, lunges and leaps in unison.

1-2-3-4-5

Between the numbers were shouts relaying the rules of Bull City Fit, an innovative community-based program focused on reducing child obesity, particularly in low-income children: Play hard, play fair, play safe and play as a team.

The nightly activity at Durhams Edison Johnson Recreation Center is a partnership between pediatricians at Duke Childrens Healthy Lifestyles Program and the city of Durhams Parks and Recreation Department. Children struggling with obesity have been referred by their health practitioners to a year of the no-cost, organized sessions that are available six days a week. Bull City Fit has two locations in the city. The one at Edison Johnson is for children ages 5 to 18. The other, at W.D. Hill Recreation Center, focuses more on pre-teens and teens in the 11-18 age group.

The program is the brainchild of Sarah Armstrong, a pediatrician at Duke University Medical Center, and her colleagues. Armstrong, who has dedicated much of her professional life to the growing epidemic of child obesity, routinely sees young patients presenting with conditions that used to be reserved for later in life: 8-year-olds with Type 2 diabetes and in need of daily insulin shots, 10-year-olds on blood pressure medicine.

Overweight children arent served well by concentrating solely on diet and calorie intake, a method more effective with overweight adults, she said. Concentrating on what an individual child can control their activities and being open to healthy habits can help build self-confidence and instill healthful behaviors that can continue into adulthood.

In kids, its helpful to focus on the physical activity side of things, said Armstrong. Being active is inherently a kid thing.

At Bull City Fit, children get their choice of rotating activities each night, from dance classes, track events, Capture the Flag games, basketball, tennis and more. Each offers an opportunity to try out new sports and activities in an environment where everyone around them is facing the same challenges.

Theres also a twist to how Bull City Fit works its not just the children referred by the doctors who are there.

The program requires a parent or guardian to take part in physical activities while there as well. Adults can either join their kids in what they are doing, work out in a small gym with exercise equipment or take such Durham Parks and Rec classes as Zumba or Spin offered at the same time. Older and younger siblings also are welcome. A highlight of Bull City Fit is weekly cooking classes on Tuesdays, in which families learn new ways to prepare healthy foods.

The Durham-based program is a small but strong stand against the scourge of child obesity in the state, where an estimated 13.5 percent, or one in every seven North Carolina adolescents ages 10 to 17, are currently defined as obese, according to an annual survey put out each year by the Robert Wood Johnson Institute.

Though the number is higher than child health advocates would like, the 13.4 percent child obesity rate lands North Carolina in the lowest third of states. Faring worse are states such as Mississippi (25.4 percent), West Virginia (20.9 percent) and Kentucky (20.8 percent) at the top.Utah (8.7 percent) and Minnesota (9.4 percent) have the lowest rates in the country. The trend follows through to the youngest children, with 14.2 percent of children in North Carolina ages 2 to 4 who receive WIC supplements considered obese in 2016.

And while theres been no shortage of research into the epidemic of obesity in general, and child obesity in particular, the large-scale solutions continue to be elusive, with incremental public health victories.

We dont have soda machines in schools and, by and large, recess is required every day in North Carolina schools, Armstrong said, about those public health wins. But, we havent really seen the comprehensive changes that make a dent in the epidemic of childhood obesity.

Part of the challenge is that childhood obesity is often framed as a failure of some sort, either on the part of parents or the children and not seen through the lens of the health condition that it is, Armstrong said.

Theres blaming of the parents for not regulating their childrens well-being, theres blaming of the children themselves, theres blaming of the school system for not feeding them the right food, Armstrong said. All of that blaming is not getting us anywhere. We have to remove the shame and stigma of what essentially is a health condition.

Thats exactly what Bull City Fit is trying to do, by getting rid of the stigma and building support on the community level to support largely low-income families as they face childhood obesity issues.

A study of Bull City Fit published in JAMA Pediatrics in early 2018 has shown that the community approach to child wellness is working, perhaps without dramatic weight loss numbers but in ways that showed promise through increased activity levels. A randomized clinical trial followed nearly 100 children, 70 percent of them living in impoverished homes, who spent six months with Bull City Fit. The trial didnt show reductions in BMI over that short period of time, but it did indicate there were significant improvements in quality of life and activity levels.

Now, the Bull City Fit model is being recreated in seven other counties around the state Cumberland, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Rowan, Wake and Wayne, with assistance in funding from the Duke Endowment. [Disclaimer: N.C. Health News also receives grant funding from the Duke Endowment, but the foundation has no input into editorial decisions.]

Krysta Hilliard has already come on board with what Bull City Fit is aiming to do, just a few weeks into her familys participation. Her son Kaden, 7, joined the program earlier this fall at his pediatricians suggestion. Hilliard is planning on making it two to three evenings a week, a big commitment given the family is coming from Hillsborough, about 15 miles away.

Our main goal is to have him lose weight and make him as healthy as possible, she said.

Only a few weeks in, they already have made changes. Weekends have shifted to limit computer time and instead include family walks. Kaden, typically a bit shy, has been outgoing and excited to try new things and connect with other kids. His mom signed up for a spin cycle class, a challenge but one thats making her feel good about her own exercise.

He used to complain about running, telling his mom he was too slow. But after trying it out with Bull City Fit crew and staff, hes enjoying the activity and proudly telling his mom how fast he is getting.

Kaden was selected as the programs Kid of the Week in early December, reporting that his favorite healthy food is now broccoli and that you can have fun if you are kind and try hard.

Mother and son also really enjoy the regular Tuesday night cooking program, making zucchini noodles, broccoli tots and parsnip fries on a recent evening, things they had never tried before.

There are no requirements about how frequently families need to attend Bull City Fit. Some will come a few times a month while others may come a few times a week.

Elser Aguilar comes every night with his 6-year-old son, Elser Jr., and daughter Catalina, 4. The time at Bull City Fit is not only a positive way to instill healthy habits, but its also important family bonding time.

Aguilar works a full-time job at a grocery store before going to another job cleaning offices in the evening hours. The hours the trio gets to spend together at Bull City Fit are valuable, Aguilar said.

Nights at home arent as productive, he said, with him getting tired from his long days and nights of work, and the children then gravitating toward sedentary activities like video games. At Bull City Fit, the whole family can play, bond and be active.

The idea is to build up the whole family to address the effects of obesity, by finding ways to get kids excited about playing and moving, and cementing that parental support as well, said Rachel Fleming, the Bull City Fit program director who first connected as a volunteer when she was an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

We really want to encourage families to do whats realistic for them, Fleming said. Whatever they do, we want to celebrate that.

The Bull City Fit model is one that people across the state are also getting excited about.

The program also has received attention for the way it links community parks departments with medical providers, connections that dont necessarily exist otherwise. In 2017, the program was recognized for a National Partnerships Award from the National Recreation and Park Association.

Michelle Wells, the executive director of the N.C. Parks and Recreation Association, is a strong proponent of what Armstrong and Bull City Fit are doing. Shes had Armstrong come speak at the annual conference her group holds for city and county park departments around the state.

Every year, people leave excited about the programs approach to obesity and families and begin looking for ways to replicate it in their communities.

Its not only participants in these programs who benefit, Wells said. Once those connections are made through programs like Bull City Fit, a doctor may more readily talk to other patients and their families about the greenway systems in a community, available swimming pools and lessons, or low-cost or free sports and recreation programs that are available.

Child obesity, after all, isnt a problem that one person or one pediatrician or one recreation director is going to solve on their own.

It takes lots of partners in that community to combat all types of issues, Wells said. No one group has all the answers.

Read the original here:
Fighting childhood obesity by teaming up - North Carolina Health News

Read More..

Health benefits of Sattu (gram flour): This Indian superfood can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol  |  Photo Credit: Getty Images

New Delhi: Sattu, or gram flour, is a versatile Indian food that has been part of the diet in several parts of the country such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. The flour, which is a mixture of ground pulses and cereals, is loaded with protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that can improve health in numerous ways. This nutrient-dense underestimated Indian superfood can improve your digestion, increase metabolism, aid weight loss and offer many health benefits.

Sattu can be used in a variety of Indian dishes and consumed in multiple ways - ranging from sattu sherbat, sattu ke parantha to meetha sattu. Basically, it is prepared by dry roasting grains or grams - the most common ones being barley or bengal gram. Here are some health benefits of adding sattu to your diet.

Good for digestion: This Desi power food is great for your digestive system mainly due to its high fibre content. Fibre in sattu helps cleanse the colon and stomach, thereby preventing constipation and other digestive problems. Sattu also contains several minerals such as iron, which can help improve bowel movements.

Helps with weight loss: Sattu is high in fribreand protein, which can offer many benefits for weight loss and health. Since sattu also contains many essential vitamins and minerals like potassium and magnesium, it reduces bloating, boosts metabolism and helps the body burn calories effectively. Try using this nutrient-rich flour in your recipes to burn fat and boost your weight loss.

Reduces cholesterol: Sattu is high in dietary fibre, which can help lower cholesterol and protect your heart. In fact, Cardiologists have suggested that having a teaspoon of sattu mixed with a glass of water on a daily basis can reduce cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure, which,in turn, helpslower the chances of any coronary artery disease.

Reduces blood sugar: Sattu is a diabetic-friendly food. Itis low on the glycemic index scale, bringing with it the ability to fight diabetes. Sattu is also high in protein and other nutrients that can be beneficial for people with diabetes.

Beauty benefits: Traditionally, sattu has been used to treat many hair problems, including hair fall, as it contains certain vitamins and minerals that can make hair follicles strong. It is also claimed that sattu has amazing hydrating properties, and adding a glass of sattu drink to your daily diet may promote healthy skin, giving you a natural glow to your face.

In conclusion, sattu is a very versatile ingredient that can be eaten in various forms - you can eat it or drink it.Sattu sherbat or sattu drink is a great refreshing summer drink to quench thirst and keep the body hydrated. During winters, sattu can be added to a variety of recipes such as litti, laddoo, stuffing in paranthas, etc. For instance, you can make sattu ka parantha for a healthy, filling breakfast or snack. Sattu has immense health benefits and can be consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

Read more from the original source:
Health benefits of Sattu (gram flour): This Indian superfood can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol - Times Now

Read More..

House of Macadamias

Presented by T1

Macadamia nuts are poised to be the next hottest superfood in the highly-competitive diet industry. This incredibly healthy nut is increasingly favored by followers of the keto, vegan and flexitarian plans, while appealing to health connoisseurs and environmentally conscious consumers alike.

When compared to lesser nuts like peanuts, almonds and cashews, Macadamias contain the highest levels of healthy monounsaturated fats and lower lectin levels to aid digestion. And unlike those other nuts, macadamias are a rare and important source of Omega 7 palmitoleic acid, which is scientifically shown to help fight metabolic syndrome.

House of Macadamias

From an environmental standpoint, Macadamia nuts can bear fruit for up to 100 years providing a long term and sustainable food source. Unsurprisingly, Macadamias have soared into superfood status and earned a high price tag that has prevented them from being popularized on a mainstream level.

House of Macadamias

The problem always lay in their accessibility, for if they could be brought to market on a macro scale, nutrition experts agree that they would offer a superior value choice with unparalleled versatility of applications ranging from Macadamia milk, snacks, energy bars, and more.

Setting out to solve for this predicament of epic importance for the food industry, pioneering company House of Macadamias has been able to cut directly to the production source of Macadamias in South Africa, thus circumventing expensive middleman exporters. As a result, House of Macadamias is emerging as the first brand to offer an industry-disruptive product line to consumers worldwide at an accessible level.

House of Macadamias

According to House of Macadamias co-founder Brandon Hiemstra, "this brand is deeply personal to me, with many of the Macadamia farmers being my friends our goal and passion is to build a brand where Macadamias share the same accessibility as peanuts, almonds and cashews, helping farmers and providing a more nutritious and tastier offering."

That's why experts point to this Kickstarter campaign as having profound implications. Likely, we will be witnessing the first-ever merger of a certified superfood line into the mainstream markets, with distribution opportunities spanning Macadamia milk, Macadamia snacks, and Macadamia nutritional performance products.

House of Macadamias

We're talking about unveiling a product with true industry-disruptive and long term implications," adds House of Macadamias co-founder Brendon Rogers. "By design, nature can't outcompete the Macadamia nut. If we can package it into a user-friendly product that's just as easy to consume as the alternatives, we're introducing a product that is better for the planet."

House of Macadamias two minuteKickstarter video has more details behind their unique vision. It features Chris van Heerden, a former IBO welterweight world champion boxer, who uses Macadamias to fuel his performance, and House of Macadamias products are up to 50% off while supplies last.

Follow this link:
Why Macadamia Nuts Are The Superfood Everyone Should Include In Their Diet - Maxim

Read More..

Fats can be good too, provided you make the right choice.

Highlights

Low Fat Diet: Fats are essential to carry out multiple body functions; therefore, ruling them out could be detrimental for your health. Fats are an important macro-nutrient required daily for maintaining the integrity of our physiology. Fats provide energy, protect our vital organs from injury by forming a protective layer around it, they support cell growth and insulate our body. They are essential for the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and production of hormones. Fats can be good too, provided you make the right choice. Consultant nutritionist Rupali Datta talks us through pros and cons of low-fat diet and 'fatty' foods that can actually do wonders for you!

Also Read:Weight Loss: 3 Delicious Low-Fat Chicken Recipes To Add To Your Diet

Fats come into our diet from visible sources - the added fat, and invisible sources - fat that is already present in the food. But did you know that there are different types of fats too?! You heard it right! Different types of fats include:

Fats are essential but get a bad reputation because too much of a good thing is also not good. High fat diets are known to increase the risk of heart diseases, stroke, diabetes and obesity. Choosing healthy fats in the right quantities will ensure that you get the benefits without increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases. Moreover, if you are on a weight loss diet, you must know that all fats provide the same amount of calories, so be watchful of your intake of fats. In other words, include foods that are good sources of mono-unsaturated fats for weight loss, but practice moderation.

Good fats like mono-unsaturated fats are associated with lowered risk of high cholesterol, heart diseases and stroke. The best sources of mono-unsaturated fats are peanut, rice bran, olive and canola oils. MUFA is also found in almonds, walnuts and seeds. So make sure you include more such fatty foods in your diet, but in moderation. Other types of good fats like poly-unsaturated fats (omega -3) are essential for vital body functions. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna, and walnuts are good sources of poly-unsaturated fats.

Also Read:Low Fat Food: What to Eat and What to Avoid for Weight Loss

Low Fat Diet:MUFA is also found in almonds, walnuts and seeds.

Saturated fats come from butter, ghee and coconut oil; therefore, use them judiciously. A better choice would be low fat dairy and nuts and seeds that along with sat fats also give healthy nutrients. Fish lean meat, chicken breast and eggs are also good sources of saturated fats, which our body needs too. However, Trans fats are a big no. Eating food cooked in oil heated to smoking point repeatedly, non-branded bakery products like mathi, rusk, namkeens are somesources of Trans fats.

Non-branded bakery products like mathi, rusk, namkeens are somesources of Trans fats.

All foods contain some amounts of fats naturally. But then there are foods that are low in fats and can be added to your daily diet.

There is no need to go fat free; it is unhealthy. One just need to choose smart! Stay healthy!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Link:
Low Fat Diet: All You Need To Know About Fats And Healthy Fat Diet (Watch Video Inside)) - NDTV Food

Read More..

Everyone from Silicon Valley executives likeTwitter CEO Jack Dorsey to Hollywood stars like Jennifer Aniston talked about "intermittent fasting" this year. Given the diet's popularity among high-profile individuals, it's no surprise that "intermittent fasting" was the top-trending diet search in Google in 2019, according to Google Trends data.

So what exactly is intermittent fasting and what is it supposed to do?

The eating method involves eating meals within a specific time frame and fasting for another period, according to the National Institute of Health.

Some people choose to restrict their meals to several hours during the day, for instance, eating normally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (eight hours) and then having nothing but water, coffee or plain tea for the other 16 hours.

Another method of intermittent fasting entails alternating full days of fasting and full days of eating normally.

The so-called benefits of intermittent fasting are plenty. Some studies suggest that intermittent fasting could lead to weight loss, slow the effects of aging and even improve your cardiovascular health. But so far, these studies have been limited to mice or very small groups of people, so it's too soon to say whether it works in humans and whether the protocol would be safe for people to use outside of a lab and for thelong-term.

As for the claims that intermittent fasting helps your brain perform? More mice studies suggest that intermittent fasting could improve cognition and even have a protective effect on the brain against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. However, experiencing hunger during fasting periods could significantly impact your ability to make decisions, think and concentrate.

Weight loss is another big draw. However, a 2018 study found that people who intermittent fasted for 50 weeks lost about the same amount of weight as those who followed a traditional diet that restricted their calories.

Ultimately, while intermittent fasting might be trendy and sound promising right now, it's not for everyone. It's not clear whether intermittent fasting is sustainable to follow long-term, or if it's safe for people above age 60 or those who take diabetes medications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Intermittent fasting could put people at risk of developing nutrient deficiencies, for example. For some who have a history of disordered eating, intermittent fasting could lead to increased binge-eating, or harm their relationship to food.

Even though the research on intermittent fasting is hazy, that hasn't stopped big names from adopting their own intermittent fasting routines.

Twitter and Square CEO Dorsey, for example, fasts all day and only eats dinner between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. He claims that he's able to focus better when he's not being interrupted to eat, he told Ben Greenfield on his Ben Greenfield Fitness: Diet, Fat Loss and Performance podcast in April. On the weekends, Dorsey said that he'll go from Friday evening to Sunday evening without eating.

It's an extreme example (experts cautionagainst extreme fasts and fasting longer than 24 hours) for which Dorsey has been criticized. But he told Greenfield it helped him achieve "a new dimension."

"I just found that I got so much more done during those fasting periods because I was so focused and it just felt like I had much more time to really think and to work in that moment," Dorsey said.

Actor Jennifer Aniston does a 16:8 intermittent fasting protocol, which means she eats for an eight-hour window during the day. She told RadioTimes.com in October that she wakes up at at 8:30 a.m or 9 a.m. and doesn't eat all morning.

"I noticed a big difference in going without solid food for 16 hours," she said.

Kourtney Kardashian has also experimented with intermittent fasting and the ketogenic diet, another hugely popular low-carb high-fat diet, a few years ago.

"I wouldn't eat past 7 p.m. at night, and then I would wait to eat the next day until after my morning workout, which would be around 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m," she recalled on her website Poosh. Once a week, she would fast for 24 hours and only drink bone broth, water, and green tea.

Actor and fitness aficionado Chris Hemsworth told Men's Health UK in January that he only eats between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.

"I've found that it dramatically increased my energy levels," he said. "I've found that once you get over the initial shock in the first week or two of not eating [as regularly], your body kicks into a different state."

Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook.

Don't miss:

View post:
Intermittent fasting is Google's top 2019 diet searchwhat it is and the billionaires and celebs who swear by it - CNBC

Read More..

Here is an easy oats recipe that you can try at home for lunch.

Highlights

The world has been gushing over oats since a long time now and there has to be something about the wonder cereal that has everyone's attention. Rich in proteins, oats are known to be incredibly healthy for heart, digestion and even weight loss. A high-protein meal can fill you up quick and for long, and since you feel full, you are less likely to indulge in fried and fattening foods later.

Besides being exceptionally rich with proteins, oats are also packed with fibre, making it a perfect meal for diabetics too. Now, we know you must be thinking that oats are all about healthy and bland meals, but guess what, oats are quite versatile when it comes to cooking delish dishes. From soft and puffy oats idli to one of India's most loved comfort foods - oats khichdi, this superfood can be used in a myriad of dishes with a balance of nutrition and flavour.

(Also Read:High Protein Diet: 5 Desi Oats-Based Recipes For Weight Loss)

There is something about oats that has the world hailing it.

So, if you are looking for interesting ways to include oats in your daily meals that are not just the mainstream porridge or thick smoothies, we have got your back. Try this interesting oat recipe at home for lunch that will not only add health to your meals but will tantalise your tastebuds too. Oats and shallot pulao is a delicious mix of spices, coconut, ginger, garlic, onion, chillies and rice with shallots and oats. With all the flavourful spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, red chilli powder and cloves, doesn't this pulao recipe sound incredible for you next lunch? Striking the perfect balance of healthy and tasty, oats and shallots pulao is easy, quick and simply mouth-watering! And did we tell you that how comforting it feels while having this delicious bowl of health and taste?

Find the oats and shallots pulao recipe here. Try at home and let us know how you liked it in the comments section below.

See more here:
High-Protein Diet: This Oats And Pulao Recipe Can Be Your Next Comfort Food - NDTV Food

Read More..

OSAKA With the close of the extraordinary Diet session on Dec. 9, some of the largest opposition parties once again entered talks about merging before years end, with an eye toward increasing their seats in the next general election. Heres a look at the talks and what they might mean for Japans political scene in 2020.

Which opposition parties are talking?

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Democratic Party for the People and the Social Democratic Party are the three main parties discussing a merger.

Of the 465 seats in the powerful Lower House, the CDP, DPP, SDP and like-minded independents have 120. In the 245-seat Upper House, these parties and their allies, which are considered center-left, have 61.

The parties have been cooperating in the Diet by coordinating during question time, where the time allotted to each party to grill the prime minister and other officials depends on its strength in the given chamber.

While it was the Japanese Communist Party that originally brought up the governments pricey annual cherry blossom-viewing party, leading to a full-blown scandal, the other parties were united in hammering Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on the issue. They also coordinated in questioning two Cabinet ministers who resigned.

If they cooperated in the Diet, why talk about merging if the session is over?

There are two reasons why the parties are considering a formal tie-up. First, political parties are eligible for state subsidies. These are doled out in proportion to the number of seats a party held on Jan. 1 each year.

A September report by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed a total of 31.5 billion was paid to nine political parties in 2018. Of this, the DPP received 5.2 billion, the CDP 3.6 billion and the SDP 375 million.

By contrast, the Liberal Democratic Party raked in 17.6 billion or 56 percent while coalition partner Komeito got 3 billion. Merging before Dec. 31 would mean the new party would get more or less the same amount of money both of the parties would have gotten separately, but under one party head and leadership structure instead.

The second reason also has to do with 2020. With the Abe administration embroiled in scandal over the destruction of the guest list for the cherry blossom party and questions surrounding the true cost of a dinner held for Abe supporters the night before, as well as the two ministers resignations, rumors of a snap election early next year persist. The opposition parties apparently feel a combined force would have a better chance at the polls.

What are the obstacles to forming a new party by the end of the year?

The main obstacle is the same one that has stymied past merger attempts: fundamental policy differences especially between the CDP and DPP.

Though similar in many ways, there are several issues on which they are divided. The CDP has called for completely ending Japans reliance on nuclear power, while the DPP, whose members receive a lot of support from unions connected to the industry, has been far more cautious.

There are also some differences over same-sex marriage, with the DPP more cautious than the CDP about legally recognizing it.

But the parties different stances on constitutional revision could prove to be the make-or-break issue, especially as Abe continues to make holding a national referendum on the issue a top priority before his scheduled departure as LDP president in September 2021.

While the CDP has firmly opposed the prime ministers efforts, some members of the DPP have views on revision that are more in line with Abes than the CDPs.

Forging a joint policy on this issue before Dec. 31 will be a difficult challenge.

If they manage to overcome their differences, how well might they do in a national election?

That depends on a number of factors, starting with how well they can cooperate in electoral districts, especially single-seat districts where there are sitting candidates in the CDP and DPP who would have to compete for one officially endorsed seat after the merger.

In addition, voters are likely to be skeptical of the parties ability to get along in the Diet, and some supporters could be upset their party merged with one they disagree with.

In the Kochi gubernatorial election in November, a candidate backed by the ruling bloc beat the one backed by all of the major opposition parties, including the JCP.

Both the CDP and DPP have repeatedly said that the understanding of their own supporters at the local level must be gained before a formal merger can take place.

What is the JCPs position and how might it affect a national election?

The JCP says it wants to cooperate with the parties in their quest to unseat the LDP-Komeito ruling coalition.

In past elections, the JCP has fielded its own candidates rather than cooperate with other parties, often splitting the anti-LDP vote.

Whether the JCP would agree not to field candidates in districts where the new opposition party is competing, or officially support the new partys candidates in such instances, is unclear.

Given philosophical differences and past lack of cooperation between the parties supporters at the local level, how effective any cooperation between the JCP and the new party would be during a campaign remains a key question.

What has the LDPs reaction to the merger talks been like?

Earlier this month, LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida, a possible candidate to replace Abe, said the oppositions merger talks seemed to be turning into a revival of the old Democratic Party (Minshinto), which lasted from 2016 to 2018 and was wracked by internal dissent over the same kinds of policy issues the CDP and DPP are having trouble agreeing on.

Many of its members split off before the 2017 Lower House election for the parties that are now the CDP and DPP.

Read more:
Could merger talks finally produce a credible opposition force in Japan? - The Japan Times

Read More..

When it comes to having a vegetarian or a vegan diet, there are some misconceptions that people have about them. This diet has been referred to as a privileged diet since its more costly to eat healthier.

Beyond Meat, for example, is a plant-based alternative to meat and has been seen making its way into some of your favorite fast-food chains such as Carls Jr and Burger King. The retail price of it, however, can range up to $8.99 per pound.

However, there are ways you can cut the cost of your groceries and improve your quality of life which is priceless. The biggest misconception is that you have to buy only organic products.

Sky Lomendehe, an 18-year-old biology major, has been a vegan since March because she was concerned about health issues. She used the 21-day kickstart diet app and it told her what to eat every day.

As someone who hasnt had meat in a while, Beyond Meat, it does taste like meat, said Lomendehe. I think its good but its still not healthy, so I try to avoid it.

She thinks that meat and even meat substitutes like Beyond Meat can still be pricier than when she makes her own salad.

Thrive on Plants, also called the TOP Club, invites students to WINN-102 every Wednesday at noon to discuss various topics relating to veganism. Timaree Hagenburger, a nutrition professor who oversees the TOP Club, said going vegetarian or vegan is actually cheaper because you can actually buy food like beans for cents at the grocery store in bulk.

Hagenburger has been on a food plant-based diet for the past 9 years and said she went from being an omnivore to a vegan because of her job as a dietician, where she understood the science behind it and made the change.

It made no sense to eat dairy or any of that because the risks to your health are very significant, said Hagenburger. Hagenburger said this diet is cheaper because the basic staples are whole grains and fruits and vegetables that you can grow your own. She mentions a TED Talk she saw which said if you grow your own food it was like growing your own money at that point.

Many people pass by the grocery store on the way to the fast food, said Hagenburger. You can go to the produce section of a grocery store and get a hand full of food that you can eat right away and it seems to last longer.

During one of the TOP Clubs cooking demonstrations, the guest speaker and chef addressed how people assume that you need meat or chicken for protein but plant-based foods like beans are a great source of protein.

Alex Rojas-Gaal, a 19-year-old nutrition major, who attends the TOP club meetings has been a vegetarian and is trying to become vegan. He said his nutrition class has really helped him towards that.

It can be expensive but I look at what Im buying price-wise, said Rojas-Gaal.

Rojas-Gaal also said meal prepping was key to a healthier diet. If you can make everything in bulk it would make it easier to eat your meals on a busy schedule.

This diet, in the end, can still be just as filling as eating a burger but it wont have you feeling sick after.

Follow this link:
Does eating on a vegan or vegetarian diet have to take a crunch out of your pocket? - The Connection

Read More..

Various studies have affirmed that red wine can benefit the circulatory system, thanks to the antioxidants in the grapes. Now a group of researchers has concluded that grapes might do wonders for the nations traffic arteries in winter and put them on a lower-salt diet.

In two years of laboratory testing, a deicing compound with a grape extract outperformed standard salt-brine solutions and others that use the increasingly popular beet juice which New Jersey uses when its especially cold the group reported in a paper published in the December issue of the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering.

While "not a silver bullet, said study coauthor Xianming Shi, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and a national expert in winter road treatments. Its one step.

That would be one step toward . curbing salt use. Salt is tough on roads, not to mention vehicle undercarriages, and a threat to groundwater, so road departments and researchers have been looking for alternatives and finding some unusual ones.

Salt use has long been controversial. In the mid-19th century, New Yorkers complained that it ruined the streets for sleigh traffic.

It remains on the road-treatment table, however, because it is relatively inexpensive, although costs have been rising; plentiful; and it works.

Inquirer Morning Newsletter

Get the news you need to start your day

Traditionally, it has been used as deicer, designed to melt ice and snow. But an anti-icing movement has gained traction in the last 15 years, with more highway departments pretreating roads with a liquid/salt brine well before anything frozen falls from the skies.

The brine typically is a mix of water and plain old salt, with splashes of magnesium chloride in some cases.

The concept of concocting an ice-melting slurry has paved the way for experimentation with unlikely snow-fighting ingredients as researchers look for other options to keep roads, and the environment, as safe as possible.

PennDot has considered a variety of additives, and commissioned a study by Temple University researchers. The agencys conclusion? Salt is the most affordable and effective solution for winter highway maintenance, said spokesperson Alexis Campbell.

Pennsylvanias and other highway departments are being shortsighted, counters Shi. He coauthored a separate study that said salt use causes $5 billion in road and collateral damage annually.

By buying the more expensive product you save money in the long run, he argues. The hidden costs are not fully integrated into that decision-making."

Road departments would be better off going green by mining agricultural products from local sources that could not only serve as salt substitutes in the brine formulas but could make them more effective, ultimately reducing the need for salt on roads.

He gained a measure of celebrity five years ago while doing research for Alaska, where it does tend to get cold, by cooking up an effective ice-melt recipe that included leftover barley residue from vodka distilleries.

Polk County, Wis. where it got down to 17 below zero on Wednesday morning had substantial economic and salt-saving success for more than a decade with salt from cheese rinds, said county highway department chief Emil Moe Norby.

So just how might these alternatives work, and are they any better than plain rock salt?

The brine before the storm

When snow is in the forecast, the telltale signs of brine are appearing ever-more frequently on the roads in the form of what looks like plow (think agriculture, not snow) rows.

Usually that brine is a little less than one-quarter salt, or about eight times saltier than the average ocean.

Sparing our readers the physics, salt works by lowering the freezing temperature of water. Brine is preemptive.

It is still salt, with attendant harmful collateral effects, but it keeps snow and ice from bonding on the road surface; it tends to stay put, instead of bouncing around; and it can be a low-grade epoxy for the subsequent showers of salt crystals.

Laboratory studies have determined that various additives, such as Shis milled Concord-grape waste powder, could reduce the use of salt and lower the temperature at which snow and ice would freeze, and be gentler to the environment.

Using a recipe that was just under 1% of grape extract reduced the freezing temperature to 11 below, his team found

Norby, despite not wanting to indulge in upmanship, said his cheese variant could go even lower.

Looking for a way to cut back on salt and sand, Norby came up with the idea of experimenting with the salt brine that was a local dairys waste product.

He visited the plant and took home two 12-ounce containers of the brine and was sold on the concept after it survived two consecutive nights of low temperatures of 21 below.

The state environmental department signed off on the agreement, and the solution was strained and pumped into trucks and delivered to his plant. All his crews had to do was filter the mixture to remove any solid whey products.

He said the results were astounding, and he was able to cut back salt expenditures by 30%. And, no, it did not leave a cheese odor.

Unfortunately, the county is not using it this winter: The dairy was bought by a bigger outfit that closed the plant during the summer.

A public works in progress

That state of winter-road treatments has been ever-evolving.

Its part art, its part science, says David Hunt, communications director for the Wisconsin highway department.

New Jersey has found that a recipe that includes sugar-beet juice not only lowers the freezing temperature but its stickiness helps paved surfaces retain salt, said Transportation Department spokesperson Steve Schapiro.

No one has yet found that silver bullet, department officials say, and whats more, winter storms are idiosyncratic.

There is no single and ready-made best method for all circumstances, Shi and his associate wrote in that 2014 paper.

For example, plain salt isnt effective when the temperature drops below 15 degrees. Freezing rain and sleet present different challenges from snow. Brine is a waste when a storm starts as rain.

And while the alternatives might show promise, highway-treatment experts agree that salt will remain a significant part of roadbed diets for the foreseeable future.

See the original post here:
To treat icy roads, highway agencies look to grapes, cheese, and vodka as alternatives to salt - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Read More..

Contact Us Today

Page 1,597«..1020..1,5961,5971,5981,599..1,6101,620..»

Home » Page 1597