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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Nintendo Wii + Wii Sports - Good for fitness in children?

The nintendo Wii it seems, puts pay to the concerns in recent years over the inactivity in children due to their interest in video games consoles. The Wii console really sets itself apart from the rest with its revolutionary motion sensitive controller, which actually requires movement in order to play the games.

The nintendo Wii comes with the game Wii sports, which includes tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. In tennis you will be swinging the remote as if it were a tennis racket and flicking it up to toss the ball into the air with a quick swing to serve. The other Wii sports games work in a similar way simulating controller movements for like movements onscreen. Boxing however is the only Wii sports game that uses the nunchuk attachment and is the most physically exhausting game of them all. In order to hit your opponent in the head or body, you will have to aim high or low with your swings.

There are three different activities with each game. In training mode, you will participate in random challenges, after which you will be assigned a fitness age, based on your performance. sound familiar? The nintendo DS game, Brain Training comes to mind...a physical version perhaps?

The important thing here is that gamers are becoming more physically active without even realising it - you could say it has a 'kill two birds with one stone' effect, combining video game play with physical activity. Given this 'physical' nature of the Wii, I wouldn't be suprised if parents rushed out to buy the nintendo Wii just to get their kids off the sofa!

Another great thing about the nintendo Wii is that it appeals not only to children and teens but to adults too, so its something the whole family can enjoy.

Could the nintendo Wii revolutionize the way we play video games in the future? It will be interesting to see what Nintendo's competitors come up with next - this could be a tough one to beat!

Karen Bennett

Hatha Video Yoga

The Wonderful Benefits Derived From Yoga For Women

Because women have also had a tendency to be more emotional than men, and emotional pressure and stress can have a profound effect on a woman's health. It's been proven many times that emotional distress can translate into various illnesses or physical weakness. Factor such as hormonal change can also have an affect on a woman's health. For this reason many women find yoga is an excellent solution to these health issues that to some extent are unavoidable.

As a woman progresses through her life, different issues can arise. Many women suffer extensively from premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps. Menopause incorporates substantial hormonal changes, and can often lead to increased levels of stress for women. Pregnancy is another major change in a woman's life, bringing with it change and stress to the body. During pregnancy it's also possible that health problems of the mother can be reflected in the health of the baby, so naturally the mother wants to be as healthy as possible for the whole pregnancy. yoga is a great solution to these varied issues, making it easier for women to deal with these health obstacles through their lives.

It's quite common for women to prepare for the last months of pregnancy and labor using yoga. Every mother wants to deliver her baby without any type of complication, and being fit and healthy is a big part of helping that to happen. Certain yoga poses, including the cat pose and the fish yoga pose, are excellent for assisting the mother to develop both the physical strength and mental focus required for labor. yoga has also been shown to reduce the effects of other pregnancy issues, including morning sickness. Many yoga stretches help to relax and strengthen the pelvic muscles, which makes them function more effectively during birth. And yoga breathing techniques can be used during birth to help the mother focus on the delivery rather than any pain involved in giving birth.

Having a young baby can be very tiring, so women in the postnatal period often turn to yoga to improve their energy levels and vitality. Using the fish yoga pose is great for increasing the processing of oxygen and improving relaxation. The back and neck muscles are also strengthened in this pose, and it has the added benefit of improving nervous system responses. If you're looking to spend a period of time in meditation, then the hero yoga pose is one of the best.

Another popular yoga pose is the cat pose, regardless of age or physical condition. This is because it's particularly good for increasing the flexibility of the spinal column, as well as relaxing the lower back muscles. These muscles carry the weight of the whole upper body when you're standing for long periods of time. Interestingly, the specific position used in the cat pose helps to increase kidney blood irrigation. The cat pose is often followed by the headstand, which can be difficult to master but also produces great results. Reversing gravity in the body allows many parts to rest in a way they normally never do. It's also great for relieving lower back muscle pressure and back pain.

For more information about the benefits of yoga be sure to visit Hot-Yoga-Tips.info located at http://www.hot-yoga-tips.info where you will find interesting information on yoga benefits for men, women and the many different branches of yoga.

Clothing Jewelry Yoga Mat Online Learning Coolonl

Ten High-Protein Foods-Ten Tasty Solutions For High Protein Diets

1.1% Cottage Cheese: Berry high protein Frozen Whip (EASY)

(1) Combine cup cottage cheese, cup frozen raspberries, and 1-2 packets of artificial sweetener in a mini food processor

(2) Process until completely smooth, 2-4 minutes, eat immediately.

nutrition: 125 Calories, 19 g protein (72% of calories), 10 g carb, 5 g fiber 1 g fat

2.Frozen Chicken Breast Tenders: Make-Believe Wings Dipped in Blue (EASY)

(1) Cook 10 tenders in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes until done

(2) Combine in mini food processor, cup cottage cheese, cup of fat-free sour cream and 2 Tbsp of hot sauce (or to taste)

(3) Cut up cooked chicken and combine with hot sauce mixture

nutrition (1/4 of recipe): 146 Calories, 26 g protein (75% of calories), 3 g carb, 0 g fiber 2.5 g fat

3. Chocolate or Vanilla Whey protein: Post work-out Dessert (EASY)

(1) Combine in mini food processor, 1 scoop (1 oz) chocolate whey protein, banana (frozen, cut into chunks), cup frozen pinapple, 1 tsp BCAA, 1 tsp creatine

(2) Process until completely smooth, consistency of cool whip

nutrition: 204 Calories, 25 g protein (49% of calories), 24 g carb, 2 g fiber 2 g fat

4.Canned Tuna: high Protein, Low Fat Tuna Salad (EASY)

(1) Combine one can tuna, cup fat-free sour cream, and 4 wedges babybel light garlic and herb cheese

(2) Optional: Also add 1 chopped celery stalk and 2 Tbsp chopped onions

nutrition: 381 Calories, 55 g protein (61% of calories), 14 g carb, 0 g fiber 9 g fat

5.Egg Substitute (Like Egg Beaters): low- Fat Roasted Vegetable Frittata

(1) Roast 3 cups chopped fresh veggies: onions, mushrooms, pepper, zucchini are all good.

(2) Spray cookie sheet with spray oil, place veggies in a single layer, salt, pepper, and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and place in oven at 350 F for 30-35 minutes

(3) Combine one container of egg substitute (2 cups), roasted veggies, 2 Tbsp fresh chopped basil (or 1 Tbsp dried), and cup shredded 75% fat-free cheddar cheese

(4) Pour into small cake pan (sprayed with oil), cover with foil and bake at 350 F for about 30 minutes or until set in the middle.

nutrition (1/4 recipe): 126 Calories, 17 g protein (72% of calories), 8 g carb, 1 g fiber 2.6 g fat

6.Egg Whites (Fresh): Strangely Wonderful Egg White Foam Breakfast

(1) Microwave 1 cup frozen strawberries until hot, stir and add tsp of ground cinnamon and 2 packets artificial sweetener

(2) Combine in very clean glass bowl, 3 egg whites, 1/8 tsp cream of tartar; beat white into foam with hand mixer until stiff peaks form

(3) gently scoop into large frying pan, pre-warmed on medium heat and sprayed with oil, cover with lid (egg whites should not fill more than half the frying pan)

- Flip once bottom is set, about 1.5-2 minutes (this takes practice)

- Pour strawberry mixture over egg white and enjoy immediately

nutrition: 95 Calories, 11 g protein (55% of calories), 12 g carb, 3 g fiber 1 g fat

7.Defatted Soy Granules: Protein-Packed Pancake

(1) Soak cup of soy granules in cup of egg whites or egg substitutes for 5 minutes

(2) Add 2 Tbsp of pancake mix, 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder, and 2 tsp fresh lemon juice

(3) Cook like pancakes

(4) top with mixture from # 6, if desired

*If soy granules are new for you, start slowly; they have LOTS of fiber!* Example of soy granules: http://www.vitacost.com/FearnSoyaGranules

nutrition: 264 Calories, 34 g protein (59% of calories), 28 g carb, 9 g fiber 2 g fat

8.Fat-Free Ricotta: Chocolate Freak (EASY)

(1) Combine in mini food processor cup fat-free ricotta, tsp vanilla extract, 1 Tbsp regular cocoa, and 2 packets artificial sweetener

(2) Process until smooth and enjoy immediately

nutrition: 144 Calories, 20 g protein (54% of calories), 13 g carb, 3 g fiber 3 g fat

9.97% Lean Ground Beef: Pseudo Chili (EASY)

(1) Combine in large soup pot: 1 lb beef, 1 can (14 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes, 1 large jar (24 oz or thereabouts) salsa, 1 can of black beans (well-rinsed), 1 can kidney beans (well-rinsed), red pepper flakes and hot sauce to taste

(2) Cook on medium heat for 1 hour and enjoy

nutrition (1/4 recipe): 394 Calories, 40 g protein (48% of calories), 52.5 g carb, 16 g fiber 4 g fat

10.Partially Defatted Peanut Flour: Peanut Sesame Salad Dressing (EASY)

(1) Combine: 1 Tbsp partially defatted peanut flour, cup low-calorie sesame ginger dressing and 1 tsp sesame seeds

(2) Pour over high-protein salad

Other uses and explanation of Partially Defatted Peanut Flour:

http://www.jeanjitomir.com/6.html

nutrition: 79 Calories, 1 g protein, 4 g carb, 1 g fiber 7 g fat

Jean Jitomir is a registered dietitian, cooking school instructor, natural light weight bodybuilder and Exercise nutrition PhD student. Read more about her at http://www.jeanjitomir.com

Yoga Workout Video

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