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A woman holds a lit cigarette. Image Credit: yoelkaffe/iStock/Getty Images Detoxing your body from the effects of smoking cigarettes can be assisted by what you eat and drink every day. To get the most out of this type of detox, begin by quitting cigarettes outright. The recovery process is a gradual one, with your body returning to full health over a period of years. Making some changes to your diet and lifestyle assists in making recovery as smooth and quick as possible....

A glass of cinnamon tea on a rustic table top. Image Credit: grafvision/iStock/Getty Images Heart palpitations are sensations of increased or pounding heartbeat that can be felt in your chest, neck or throat. Palpitations usually lead to unpleasant awareness of the heartbeat, but are not considered serious. However, palpitations that occur as a result of abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, may indicate underlying conditions such as heart disease or abnormal blood electrolyte levels....

Taking even 10 minutes to stretch is a great way to stay healthy and active. Image Credit: AnnaStills/iStock/GettyImages A good sweat session may be your favorite daily ritual, but every now and again, a skipped workout is inevitable. To-do lists can overflow or the weather may grow unforgiving. Plus, an occasional physical and mental break is good for you. Advertisement Even fitness professionals skip a few workouts here and there (they're only human, after all)....

Think of the German diet and you bring to mind beer and bratwursts, sauerkraut and sausages. The typical diet in Germany is heavy, starchy and not exactly vegetarian-friendly. A variety of meats and meat products are usually included in every meal, while Germans indulge a national sweet tooth with baked goods and cakes. Meal Structure According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the German diet is typically structured according to the saying “breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a pauper....

A massage can help with stretch marks. Image Credit: Blue Planet Studio/iStock/GettyImages Stretch marks are quite common, causing poor self-esteem, emotional distress and the appearance of “fatness” even in those of normal weight. Stretch mark removal is big business, and many exercise plans promise to help you get smooth skin. Unfortunately, you can’t simply exercise stretch marks away. Advertisement Tip Exercise can help you lose excess fat and tone up, but it won’t eliminate stretch marks....

If you have high blood pressure, limit ice cream to occasional small servings. Image Credit: Lanny Ziering/DigitalVision/GettyImages If you have hypertension, you may be wondering: Does ice cream raise blood pressure, and is it even OK to eat it? It’s true, ice cream can be high in sodium and sugar, and it can contribute to weight gain, so it may not be the best choice for heart health. But there are ways it can still fit into your diet....

Soybeans supply calories and nutrients. Image Credit: Tetra Images/Tetra images/Getty Images Any food, eaten in excess, will make you gain weight, which includes foods made from soy. That doesn’t mean that soy is inherently fattening, though; in fact, many soy-derived foods have nutrients that actually help with weight control. You can include soy in diets for weight gain or loss; the results you get depend on your individual needs and the total calories and quality of your diet....

Citrus fruits are alkaline-forming foods. Image Credit: xeni4ka/iStock/Getty Images You need vitamin C for healing wounds, forming collagen and keeping your teeth and bones healthy. It also acts as an antioxidant, helping to limit cell damage from harmful substances called free radicals. Men need at least 90 milligrams per day, and women need at least 75 milligrams daily. Don’t let concerns about acidity keep you from getting your recommended vitamin C – this vitamin won’t alter your body’s acid levels....

You will stop growing in height at the end of adolescence. Image Credit: Iakov Filimonov/iStock/Getty Images Being short is a sensitive subject for many people because they are constantly reminded of it. Unfortunately, though, there is not much you can do to control how tall you ultimately will stand. Advertisement Unless you have a treatable medical condition, your adult height is determined based on your genes. In general, most children will reach an adult height of within 4 inches more than or less than the average height of their parents, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reports....

Ginger has been used as a natural remedy in Asian medicine for thousands of years. Image Credit: Erich Sacco/iStock/GettyImages When IBS symptoms range from cramping, bloating and abdominal pain to gas and diarrhea, some people find that conventional medications just aren’t enough and wish for something else. Others may be interested in trying more natural approaches rather than drugs. Advertisement Complementary and alternative remedies are popular for a variety of ailments, and ginger is a common go-to option, used for thousands of years in Asian medicine, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)....

Don't overcrowd the shrimp, which would prevent caramelization. Image Credit: KellyWendtPhoto/iStock/Getty Images Shrimp are relatively delicate, and it is easy to overcook them, rendering the bite-sized shellfish tough and chewy. It is possible to sauté cooked shrimp in your shrimp recipes without ruining their texture, but you must be thoughtful about how you approach the task. Advertisement Ultimately, you are reheating the shrimp rather than cooking them again. Even with careful, quick heating, however, you should be able to brown the shrimp slightly to create the savory, caramelized surfaces characteristic of sautéed foods....

People often look for ideas about how to prepare baked chicken with cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup. Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/Getty Images People often look for ideas about how to prepare baked chicken with cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup. It makes a delicious meal when spices, herbs, vegetables and grains are added. Advertisement Cream of Mushroom Chicken Recipe In an interview with LIVESTRONG.COM, Gabrielle Mancella, RD, LDN, of Orlando Health, shared her recipe for portobello mushrooms stuffed with rice, spinach and chicken breasts:...

Meatloaf is a delicious comfort food that’s made with ground meat, vegetables, herbs and spices. Image Credit: Nikolay_Donetsk/iStock/GettyImages Meatloaf is a delicious comfort food that’s made with ground meat, vegetables, herbs and spices. Although this dish is fairly simple to make, it can be time-consuming to prepare. However, it’s often healthier to prepare and freeze meatloaf at home instead of buying it ready-made. Advertisement Making Homemade Meatloaf Making meatloaf at home is a very healthy choice....

Burro bananas are usually short and stubby. Image Credit: Joe Belanger/Hemera/Getty Images Burro bananas are a smaller, stubbier version of the typical Cavendish banana. Bananas are what many nutritionists refer to as a super food. They are low in fat and high in energy, with lots of potassium, fiber and vitamin B-6. You can prepare burros for the table in numerous ways. Advertisement Burro Banana Basics The peel of a burro banana changes from dark green to bright yellow as the fruit ripens....

Frozen corn is a staple in many households. Image Credit: etienne voss/iStock/GettyImages Frozen corn is a staple in many households. It is almost guaranteed to be found in any American freezer — right there next to the frozen peas. Corn, also known as maize, is a diet mainstay of many cultures. It is nutritious, delicious and packed with benefits. Advertisement Cooking frozen corn is easy, too. Since corn cooks quickly, you simply have to heat it....

Visiting your local running store or browsing social media can help you find the best running club for you. Image Credit: SolStock/E+/GettyImages Group fitness can be a huge motivating factor in getting your workout done. It’s also extremely important to feel included and supported in your exercise environment. If you’re a runner — or want to start logging some miles — a running club is a great place to level up your training and make some new friends....

You'll likely want to gain muscle, not fat, in your limbs. Image Credit: David Espejo/Moment/GettyImages Directing your body to gain fat in a particular area is impossible, because your body has a set pattern for weight gain that’s genetically determined. If your arms and legs seem disproportionately thin, fill them out with healthy muscle tissue, rather than fat. Although increasing muscle mass takes work, you can use exercise to encourage growth in certain areas....

A woman is doing bodyweight pull-ups on gymnastic rings. Image Credit: Jacob Ammentorp Lund/iStock/Getty Images The CrossFit training method, as its official website notes, is known for having no limits. CrossFitters do not adhere to any one training system, but incorporate them all to ensure that you increase your endurance and flexibility as well as your strength and speed. Many women contemplating an intense workout program such as CrossFit are concerned that they will build too much muscle....

Getting a flat stomach in two months will take the right exercise and the right diet. Image Credit: ansonmiao/E+/GettyImages It’s just two months until that cruise, beach vacation or high school reunion, and you want to sport a flat, svelte stomach for the event. Two months gives you time to reduce bloating and lose 5 to 10 pounds to get a flatter belly. Advertisement Whether this is enough for you to achieve your goal depends on your starting point....

You can add dried cayenne to homemade pizza, pasta dishes and more. Image Credit: zhikun sun/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Food Dehydrator Oven Outdoors Indoors Cayenne peppers are full of robust flavor and can easily spice up any dish. If you're growing cayenne peppers in your own garden, only harvest them when they're fully ripe and turned from green to bright red, as peppers are best when allowed to ripen on the plant....