Bubble Tea Makes A Strong Comeback

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After years of bearing the brunt of global infamy and bad reputation, the ubiquitous bubble tea is making a comeback into the food industry and is presented with new innovations to once again gain its popularity in the market.

It is starting to make its way back into the mainstream food and drink culture in the United States, after it was dealt a heavy blow with discoveries of unhealthy manufacturing processes in Asia that resulted to the sudden drop in sales and eventually losing its hold of the food market and simply died down.

This milk-based ‘wonder’ beverage loaded with tapioca-pearls and comes in a variety of flavours, however, is taking another lease in life with US-based Boba Guys by exclusively sourcing their own organic milk ingredients and tea supplies.

Boba Guys will be introducing light gummy jellies in place of the traditional tapioca pearls, while they are still developing tests to create their own house-made tapioca pearls for the bubble tee beverages.

Andrew Chau, co founder of the Boba Guys trademark, said that they want to break free from the idea that bubble tea is a ‘novelty’ beverage and that they are aiming for it to become a major product that belong with the ranks of coffee, tea, popular soda beverages and energy drinks.

Boba Guys is currently experimenting on new flavours and ingredients for their bubble tea drinks that may even include some varieties where it does not involve the use of tea at all, as well as other variations that may not adhere to the traditional bubble tea recipes.

Not wanting to be left out of the picture, several bars and refreshment outlets in Los Angeles are using bubble tea ingredients in their cocktail mixes just to spice things up in the local bar scenes.

While other non-alcoholic bubble tea fanatics have developed their own versions that include a mix of jellies, tapioca pearls and fruit blends.

Another group also tried to infuse cross-cultural recipes to come up with intercontinental blends that are showcased for possible followings among bubble tea lovers.

Chau pointed out that their re-imaging process may take a little more time to gain its foothold into the mainstream food culture, but they hope to make it become a permanent fixture.

“We even have 80-year olds “from China, Korea and Japan wanting to try out these new blends for the first time.

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Healthy Foods You Should Include In Your Diet

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Some diet promoters like to talk about “zero-calorie” foods that will help you lose weight. Will they’ve chosen a name that’s a little misleading — everything edible except water contains some calories — they’re quite right about there being some great food choices to help you lose weight. Here we’re going to focus on foods that end up burning more calories in the course of digestion than they provide you in terms of nutrition.

Celery is the classic example here. Celery is terrifically healthy. It’s packed with potassium and much-needed water, and it’s definitely one of the foods you should add in your diet. The rich crunchy texture of celery gives you something interesting to eat in place of junk food. A four-inch-long stalk of celery contains just one calorie. Guess how much energy it takes to digest it? That’s right, one calorie. Result: zero-calorie food!

There are other dietary choices that can perform this same feat of calorie-counting mathematics. In order to deal with food cravings, stock up on the following items:

1. Cabbage

This healthy, handy vegetable can be incorporated into a host of different recipes. There’s clinical evidence that suggests cabbage may help prevent cancer and heart disease. It’s very high in fibre, encouraging healthy digestion. Cabbage soup is a dieter’s staple. You have your choice of many different varieties of cabbage; the best may well be locally-grown organic cabbage. Check for it at your farmers market. A single half-ounce leaf of raw cabbage contains just 4 calories.

2. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are admittedly an acquired taste, but you’re in luck if you happen to like them! Packed with nutrients and tremendously healthy, mushrooms also come in many different varieties. Raw white mushroom slices are just 1 calorie apiece.

3. Asparagus

A very popular vegetable, asparagus might well turn up in some of your favourite recipes. Granted, you’ll want to forego the bacon and drawn butter when you’re trying to lose weight, but you don’t have to give up on the green spears at the heart of the dish. Asparagus can be grilled or steamed as a side dish or added as an ingredient in your salads. High in fibre, asparagus has a very low calorie count: A two-inch spear of raw asparagus comes in at a single calorie.

4. Cucumbers

Known as “cukes” in my neck of the woods, these garden favourites are definitely foods you should add in your diet. Whether you dice them up to go with a salad or slice them and serve them with vinegar and onions, cucumbers are always a tasty addition to a healthy meal. The Food Network is packed with great serving suggestions for the cucumber. A cup of sliced or diced raw cucumber (skin still on) only delivers 16 calories.

5. Beets

This is a prime example of a superfood. The rich purple coloration is a sign of super-healthy vitamin content. Long used in folk remedies for a variety of different illnesses, beats can be prepared in an almost endless number of different ways. Beets are usually low in calories, with a small one (say two inches) having just 37 calories. Pickled beets are an option too if you’re looking for a greater variety of tastes.

6. Zucchini

Another garden standby, zucchinis are very easy to raise yourself. A perennial favourite for filling out traditional holiday dishes like zucchini bread and casseroles, keep your zucchini simple to avoid unwanted calories. A raw slice in its skin delivers just 2 calories.

7. Cauliflower

This hearty veggie is another big grower in our garden. We like to pin up the largest cauliflower leaves over the head to keep it white instead of turning yellow in the sun. Raw cauliflower straight from the garden is a terrific treat, and at just 3 calories per floret, it’s quite a healthy one.

8. Tomatoes

Versatile, tasty, and available in tons of different forms, tomatoes are the desserts of the hardcore dieter’s menu. Tomatoes can be eaten raw (or whole, in the case of cherry tomatoes), sliced, diced, shredded, boiled … your choices are truly endless here. You can make a healthy, veggie-heavy summer salad by tossing tomatoes in with cucumbers, onions, and seasoning. The delightfully explosive cherry tomato makes a superb snack with just 3 calories.

9. Parsnips

Another acquired taste, parsnips are probably best enjoyed when boiled and mashed. They make a perfect low-calorie substitute for potatoes. If you’ve never tried parsnips before, there’s no time like the present. A half-cup of raw parsnips only has 50 calories.

10. Kale

A leafy green that’s currently enjoying huge popularity, kale can be used in casseroles, salads, pesto, and even smoothies. When baked into chips, kale makes a perfect replacement for junk food chips. A cup of chopped-up kale tips the scales at just 34 calories.

Before you go completely bonkers with these great minimum-calorie foods, remember to exercise some restraint. Note that the portions given here are all pretty modest; chomping vegetables by the fistful might not be a great idea.

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Light Drinking May Not Be As Healthy As Reported

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Contrary to popular belief that taking small amounts of alcohol regularly is good for the health, studies show that this may be a one-way perspective that could open up a can of worms with regards to its benefits or dangers.

This was recently revealed in a research published by the University of Victoria’s Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia , where researchers analyzed data from a volume of long-term studies on alcohol and its effects, discovering a bias in the study design that highlighted the benefits of drinking but underestimated the dangers of it.

Research co-author and center director Tim Stockwell, where previous studies have significantly provided little to minimal emphasis on the group of subjects that were defined as abstainers, especially those who completely stopped alcohol consumption.

Many, if not most, of the consolidated research materials on alcohol consumption and addiction failed to focus on people whose health conditions prompted them to cut down or completely abstain from alcohol consumption.

Stockwell noted that based on statistical data from these studies leaning towards the bias, it would manifest that the risks from all levels are much higher compared to what has been estimated, adding that it serves to undermine the safety and health risks from alcohol.

The findings involved in Stockwell’s study were made up of about 4 million participants with 367,103 of which were related to alcohol-related deaths and its causes.

Although Stickwell pointed out that they are not disputing the health benefits, they are more inclined in leaning towards the providing all perspectives that would give the public a well-informed stand on that surround the topic.

One good example is that the benefit claim should not be generalized towards all alcohol products as it could be misleading to consumers, like actual alcohol volume content or ingredients specific to a product that may be harmful even when taken in small amounts.

Separate studies revealed that in many Western countries where chronic diseases are rampant like coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, among others indicate that there were marked improvement in reducing the risk of developing these diseases for those associated with moderate alcohol consumption.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism may lend credence to the study as it has been indicated in their statistical report  that the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption  to health is still a challenge, despite the findings of its positive effects, the volume of consumption may still be debatable and may not benefit everyone who consumes it moderately.

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Modern Day Diets May Cause People To Miss Potassium Needs

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Potassium is an essential mineral in the body that is needed by the nerve cells and muscles in the body  – including the heart – to function properly, but is there really a need to take it as a regular supplement as recent reports claim that many fail to meet the recommended daily requirements for the body.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, in a study, revealed that in the United States, many people fail to meet the recommended daily intake of potassium of 4,700 milligrams for adults.

“We don’t eat nearly enough fruits and vegetables, “ said Sonya Angalone, the spokesperson for the Academy, adding that “over –the-counter supplements contain minute amounts of the mineral “ and  that it does not really help at all.

A slight decrease in potassium levels could cause symptoms like fatigue, constipation, cramps and muscle weakness, while a significant drop from the body can cause abnormal heart rhythms, especially for people with heart disease and other cardiovascular-related conditions.

Also low-potassium syndrome or hypokalemia that results as a side effect from using antibiotics or diuretics could lead to more serious conditions like hyperthyroidism or kidney disease.

There are in fact a lot of potassium-rich food sources which may be good sources of potassium and awareness about these items would allow people to be more conscious to include these in their regular diet.

Beans. Every cup of cooked while beans yield 1004mg or 29% of recommended daily values. Other bean varieties on the other hand like Adzuki beans (35%), Soy (28%), Lima (28%), Kidney (20%) and Pinto (18%)

Green Leafy Vegetables. A cup of cooked spinach yields 839mg or 24% of daily values, Swiss Chard (27%), Kale (8%) and Collards (6%)

Root crops. A baked potato with skin on weighing about 173 grams could yield 926 mg or 26% of potassium, while sweet potatoes with skin on at 114 grams gives about 15% of the recommended daily values.

Other fruits and vegetables with high potassium content are apples, bananas, peaches, raisins, prunes,  pumpkin, squash , zucchini, avocado and mushroom, among others.

Wild salt-water fish like salmon, pompano, halibut, tuna, anchovies, mackerel and herring.

Among the major reasons potassium levels in the body drop is due to medication for a chronic disease or those taking diuretics, which causes potassium to exit the body through urine.

Vomitting and diarrhea are also among the causes, as well as perspiration and fluid loss resulting from physical activities like exercise and fitness workouts.

If you feel you fall short of the daily requirement, make sure to consult should you take a potassium supplement to add to your regular diet in order to control intake and not get an overdose.

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Tri-Set Fat Burner: Slim Down In Less Time

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Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to sculpt your body and have it ready to hit the beach. While there are plenty of programs that emphasize high-volume exercises, you can still get your desired results by turning up the intensity without increasing the duration of your workouts, thus allowing for more time on the beach.

Obviously, the beach muscles would be the target of these exercises. The areas that are covered up wouldn’t be part of this collection of workouts. Tri-sets aren’t entirely new in the world of fitness, but the particular approach you’ll learn here might be. You will maintain the familiar fast-pace, quick-switching style as you move from one exercise to the next, but your rep changes will change alongside the exercises. Aside from experiencing pump like you’ve never had before, you’ll also enjoy an awesome cardio finisher to allow your body to burn calories long after the workout and boost your endurance at the same time.

If you decide to perform all the routines on the same day, then you must be sure that you go through each tri-set twice at most. Each routine is created to serve as a standalone program, albeit one that you can modify according to your own unique fitness needs. Also, the cardio finishers are designed for you to get the most out of each phase of the workout, but you can feel free to swap them around based on your own preferences.

Each exercise must be executed for 12 reps before moving on to the next exercise listed in the three-exercise tri-set. Each tri-set fat melter can be done for three to four sets, making sure that you maintain proper form and controlled repetition speed.

TRI-SET WORKOUT 1: CHEST + BACK + CALVES

Tri-Set A

• Pec Deck Flye 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Standing Calf Raise 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Wide-Grip Cable Row 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set B

• Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Calf Raise (Seated) 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Lat Pulldown 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set C

• Bench Press (Barbell) 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Single-Leg Calf Raise 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Seated Cable Row 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set D

• Cable Crossover 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Donkey Calf Raise 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Single-Arm Standing Cable Row 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Cap off this workout by doing alternating wave intervals using the battling ropes. Complete 5 to 6 sets of 30 seconds with a rest period of one minute in between sets. Maintain a semi-squatting stance while doing the exercise, keeping the torso erect and maintaining a smooth rhythm with the ropes. Form must be emphasized over speed.

TRI-SET WORKOUT 2: BICEPS + TRICEPS + DELTS

Tri-Set A

• Lying EZ-Bar Triceps Extension 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Barbell Overhead Press 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Standing EZ-Bar Curl 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set B

• Close-Grip Push-Up 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Lateral Raise (Dumbbell) 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Dumbbell Curl (Alternating) 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set C

• Triceps Pressdown 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• One-Arm Cable Lateral Raise 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Cable Curl 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set D

• Bench Dip 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Rear-Delt Flye (Dumbbell) 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Concentration Curl 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Finish this high-intensity workout with 5 to 6 sets kettlebell swings, each set consisting of 12 reps. Between each set you are allowed to rest for one minute or less if your endurance can handle it. Choose a weight that enables you to perform explosive repetitions while maintaining the right form. Don’t hesitate to drop down the weight to a level that’s comfortable for you.

TRI-SET WORKOUT 3: TRAPS + ABS + FOREARMS

Tri-Set A

• Prone Incline Shrug (Dumbbell) 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Towel Pullups 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Windshield Wipers 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set B

• Shoulder Shrugs (Dumbbell) 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Wrist Curl 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Decline Bench Sit-Up 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set C

• Barbell Shrug 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Wrist Extension 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Alternating Lying Rotational Crunch 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

Tri-Set D

• Upright Row 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Hammer Curl 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps
• Hanging Leg Raise 3 to 4 Sets 12 Reps

After finishing this tri-set fat melter, perform a quick Tabata set consisting of walking lunges using only your bodyweight. Divide this into eight segments of 20 seconds each. A rest period of 10 seconds is allowed after every segment. Your steps must be long and deep, maintaining an erect torso and emphasizing the activity on your quads and glutes.

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Smoking Kills: The Need To Stop Is More Pressing Then Ever

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Nearly one in every five American adults smoke cigarettes and although awareness on the impacts of smoking to heath is widespread, many people are still not sold out on the many ideas being touted to the public on the concerns or dangers of smoking.

This may be one of the primary reasons why a lot of people still failed to kick the smoking habit for lack of concrete or justifiable reasons that would drive them to challenge their addiction to smoking.

However, since smoking is a lifestyle habit and needs the mental and emotional resolve of the subject, the government and cause-oriented organizations could only do so much to campaign and drive for efforts to put a stop to smoking.

Here are two of the most common myths about smoking that may help shed some clear light on the issues.

1) Smoking invokes pleasure and makes one feel good.

Numerous studies revealed that almost 90% of smokers claimed they regret puffing that first cigarette stick, while 50% attempted to quit smoking every year – some succeed, most don’t.

In the United Kingdom, surveys showed that around 35 percent of smokers desire to stop smoking each year, but less than half of that move on to take measures to stop the habit.

Studies also reveal that the ‘pleasure’ in smoking does not come from the sensation itself, but on satiating the addiction caused by nicotine in the system and signaling the brain that it needs to load up on the substance.

2) Mild and Light cigarettes contain less tar and nicotine compared to standard varieties. 

Governments around the world continue to ban mild and light cigarettes similar to their standard counterparts since studies have also shown that there is no significant difference in the amounts of nicotine and tar in the body.

According to research, these were merely products of marketing propaganda with so-called rigged laboratory tests like pin pricks on the filter area reducing harmful substances into the body.

In the United States, 17 out of 100 adults from 18 and above have smoked cigarettes, equating to 40 million adults all over America.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is also the leading cause of preventable death and diseases in the USA, responsible for more than 480,000 deaths annually and makes up 20% of all reported deaths.

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Cancer Targetting Gene, A Step Into The Future Of Cancer Research

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As scientists continue to go deeper into the root of issues that cause cancer, they have taken another step forward and closer to solving the problem of being able to come up with a cure, with the recent discovery of a genome that control specific cancer cells.

In a recent publication from Science Advances, researchers from Mayo Clinic were able to isolate findings on how a specific transcription factor known as FOXA1 is able to identify cancer-specific genomes and how it is responsible for regulating gene expression with several different types of cancer cell varieties.

The research team indicated that they used gene-editing methods for an in-depth study of this unique binding process of the protein that is responsible for gene expression regulation and could lead to further studies with would ultimately allow researchers to isolate these cancer lines and even possibly eliminate it at the cellular level.

The researchers began their work by using a type of sequencing technology that allowed processing large numbers of genomes and see how FOXA1 targets the genes using two different cancer types, breast cancer cells and liver/prostate cancer cells.

The process allowed researchers to observe how the FOXA1 was able to regulate gene expression as it was binding itself to the cancer-specific cells and controlling the process by which specific cancer types and how they develop.

Their landmark findings would someday lead to deeper studies into cancer research and may eventually lead to possible measures in identifying cancer cells way before it begins to metastasize.

The National Cancer Institute reports that  by 2016 there will be an estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer will be in the United States, projecting around 595,690 deaths.

Among the most common cancers in the US are breast cancer, brochial and lung cancer, prostate cancer, colo-rectal cancer, bladder cancer, skin cancer, lymphoma, thyroid cancer, renal pelvic and kidney cancer, leukemia, endometrial cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Worldwide, cancer also tops the list among the leading causes of deaths in 2012, there were a total of 14 million new cases, with 8.2 million cancer-related deaths tallied.

Within the next 20 years, new cancer cases are expected to rise to 22 million, with more than 60 percent of the world’s new cases will be coming from Africa, Asia, Central and South America. 70 percent of the world’s casualties due to cancer will be coming from these regions.

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