The Secrets to Getting a Killer Six Pack and Great Abs

By Tony D. Martinez

Do you want to have great six-pack abs or did you have them back in the day and you would really like them back? Well, imagine yourself at the beach on a sunny day and taking off your shirt to reveal toned abs for everyone to see. Wouldn't that be nice!

Unfortunately you're going to need to do more than just wish for great abs. If you really want a ripped stomach you need to actually do some work. Getting toned abs is probably not as difficult as you imagine but it will require commitment. The following tips will help you toward achieving the abs you've been dreaming about.

The first and most important thing is to ensure you have a varied workout plan. Plan a workout routine that gives you challenges on a daily basis. Having a routine that makes you comfortable or getting used to a set of exercises will not push your body enough to get the improvements you're after.

You must push and challenge yourself if you don't want it to reach a stagnation point. When you start something new, your body will work hard and there will be a lot of improvement in results but after some time the body starts to get used to that particular routine and you won't gain as much. Therefore it is necessary to keep changing your workout routine.

Variety will also help to maintain your interest. Do the same routine over an over again and you'll find yourself bored and lacking motivation very quickly. Mix it up; maintain your own motivation and interest. If you're enjoying your exercise you are far more likely to succeed.

You will also need to consider that you need to do more than just focus on abdominal exercises. Interestingly enough, one of the best ways to get the abs that you want is to consider getting a good full body exercise. The more muscle strength you have supporting your abdominal muscles and helping them work, the better off you are going to be. You'll also find that when you work your whole body that your resting metabolic rate is going to be higher than it would be if you were just working your abs, making your general weight loss much swifter.

Sleep is the other important factor that you need to focus on. Sleep is the time that body uses for self-maintenance. If you are not getting the required sleep, you are again going to face problems. When you exercise you damage your muscles. The body rebuilds these muscles when you sleep. So don't try to cut your sleeping hours; you need to sleep well to ensure a speedy growth in your efforts and results!

There are a number of things to remember particularly if you are trying to get the killer six-pack for the first time. To accomplish your goal, you don't have to be all alone. A personal, well-designed program can make it a lot simple for you. There are a number of programs that can help you make your dream come true. Select the perfect one for you and within no time, you are going to get the abs that you always desired! - 17273

About the Author:

About the author: Tony D. Martinez shares expert advice on getting a ripped six pack on his site where you can discover how to fight the flab and reveal your own killer abs.

Rowing Exercise For Fast Fat Loss and Conditioning

By Caleb Lee

If you desire to go on a diet and burn fat automatically while boosting your anaerobic, aerobics and total stamina... and yet you're sick to death of running right from the start in that case you're going to enjoy this article about rowing.

Yesterday I did another one of my rowing training on the rowing machine at the gym and boy did it kick my ass " FOR A SECOND TIME! This article will inform you all about rowing for exercise, why you must do it, and the most efficient way to execute rowing exercises to lose fat in no time

What's Rowing?

Rowing is an exercise where you get on a machine with a handle attached to a cable of some type and you place your feet in stirrups. You then row by pulling the cable backwards towards your chest as you push with through your heels (similar to a squat movement). The seat you sit on moves backwards so you can push yourself away.

Why Do You Need To Row?

When most people think of cardio training they only think of running. Running is great and all, but I get sick of it after a short while. I absolutely cant stand long slow steady state cardio anyways, and any time I run I do sprint interval training.

But rowing is a great exercise because it is more upper body dominant, and will give you a break from traditional cardio exercises like running, bicycling, etc.

Its also one of the few cardio exercises that touches all the key muscle groups, together with quads, biceps, triceps, lats, glutes and abs.

Its great for your cardiovascular conditioning, and you can easily do interval training on it because you can adjust both the resistance level of the row, and you can vary your speed easily (like on a bicycle).

In What Way Do You Need To Row For Supreme Fat Loss?

Here's the training I did yesterday and the one you have to give it a go if you're in good shape and want to nuke some body fat off swiftly. It only takes FIVE to SIX minutes, but I assure you you'll know you had an awesome workout!

Here's how to execute it:

* Row at a steady pace for 1-2 minutes to warm up

* Work Interval: At the minute mark Row as hard and fast as you can for 20 seconds

* Rest Interval: Row at your warm up time for 10 seconds

* Do again your work/rest interval 8 more times

* You're through!

Now's the time to get to your feet, tell your heart its NOT going to break through your chest and if it comes to the crunch, you may need to spew. By round 6, 7 and 8 you're going to REALLY be out of breath and think you cant endure (this is if you're really rowing as intense and quickly as you can during your work intervals)

In spite of this stick it out " you wont be going that fast in your last couple rounds but the important part is Amount of effort in short you are MAKING AN EFFORT to row as quickly and as intense as you can (though you can only handle an average speed).

Whats So Great About This Workout?

This is the renowned tabata system. Researchers realized that folks who enjoyed the routine five days a week for six weeks enhanced their highest aerobic capacity by 14% AND ALSO, they also developed anaerobic capacity by 28%.

Besides, scientists became aware that the people in the wake of the tabata protocol burned 9 TIMES MORE FAT than a group that worked out for an hour a day (carrying out steady-state aerobics). Plus your metabolism remains revved up and burns more fat until 48 hours after the Tabata protocol.

When Do You Have To Execute This Workout?

Give it a go on your rest days. You can substitute a cardio workout of sprints and a cardio workout in this manner with rowing to keep your body from adapting and for variety in your cardio routines. If youre going along with the DoubleYourGains 3-5 program you'll have 2-3 rest days for every week. You could do this rowing routine on one rest day and a different cardio routine on the other to keep it new or just do this routine on both days, its your preference.

You'll get a better feel for how frequently you can do this routine and still restore your health once you've done it a few times. So get out there and try it now! - 17273

About the Author:

Go to the author's website to discover more on pull up exercises and the chin up exercise.

Reviewing the KitchenAid Classic Mixer

By Moses Harun

There are various KitchenAid mixers designed by the company and several of these machines are engineered to help prepare smaller portions of food. An example is the KitchenAid Classic stand mixer. This appliance is small as mixers go although it still makes it simple and quick to make satisfying foods and dough. This handy little mixer also is able to employ many different KitchenAid accessories.

The KitchenAid Classic stand mixer includes a 250 watt motor. This motor works with a ten setting speed control to help mix most kinds of food with ease at the most efficient speeds from a quick whip to a slow stir. KitchenAid's Classic also features a convenient tilt-head design. The tilt-head design allows the top of the machine can be tilted backwards so that it will be easy to replace the beaters and to simplify access to the mixing bowl.

The KitchenAid Classic is designed for a four and a half quart mixing bowl. This bowl is able to handle eight cups of cake batter. It can assist you in making three loaves of bread or six dozen cookies in a single use.

Another quality part of this mixer is that it has a satin stainless steel finish. This finish is all over the complete mixer and brings you a mixer that is more durable and easier to use for many more years. This sturdiness is further enhanced by the complete one-year warranty where a full replacement can be provided for the unlikely occasion when a KitchenAid mixer breaks down.

One more exceptional accessory for this mixer is that it features "C" dough hook kneads. These kneads are used to mix bread dough at different speeds. It is quite useful for creating dough to use for bread and pizza. Other specialized mixing attachments could be used for different recipes too, such as a wire whip and a flat beater.

The power hub that is found at the top of the mixer is usable for all sorts of optional attachments. These attachments from KitchenAid include a meat grinder, a ravioli maker and a pasta cutter and roller among other things.

One final benefit of this sturdy kitchen helper is that it is amazingly reasonably priced. The normal retail price on the KitchenAid Classic mixer is only $240, but most stores will have seasonal clearances in which case it can cost less than two hundred dollars. This is a great deal for a quality mixer.

The KitchenAid Classic stand mixer is an ideal mixer to use for any home. The KitchenAid Classic mixer is indispensible for kneading dough and blending other foods in an easy way. It can perform at a useful range of speeds and is also durable. This mixer is also reasonably priced for any budget. - 17273

About the Author:

Moses Harun helps readers make educated buying decisions when shopping for home & kitchen items. See his website for a detailed review of the KitchenAid Classic stand mixer.

Home Remedies To Treat Acne

By Lucy Collins

There are lots of home remedies for acne that actually work for many people. Many people who go on prescription medications may have been able to clear their acne in a much easier way.

The effectiveness of home remedies has always been a victim of conflicting opinions but when one considers the financial gains of certain treatment manufacturers, it's hardly surprising. The fact is, many home remedies do work and some, such as vitamins, have been scientifically proven to work.

For example, vitamin A, vitamin E as well as niacin have all been proven to be effective in clearing up acne infections. If you're going to include niacin in your arsenal against acne, be sure to choose the flush-free variety in order to avoid any possibility of a rash or in some cases, even hives.

Unfortunately one of the most effective home remedies, garlic, is often avoided for obvious reasons because not only will it get rid of your pimples, but it may get rid of your friends as well. Jokes aside, rubbing raw garlic directly onto a pimple or pimples a few times each day will certainly clear up your skin and it will clear it up faster than you imagine.

You also need to take care of what you eat. Eat a lot of foods with fibre including fruits and vegetables, and also make sure you drink lots of water. Substitute water for unhealthy drinks like soda. You'll be surprised how much of a difference this makes.

Both orange peels and lemon peels are known to be effective at clearing up acne breakouts. Additionally, the freshly squeezed juice of a lemon is guaranteed to help as it's extremely effective in breaking down the grease and dirt which blocks your pores, which in essence is the cause of your acne in the first place.

If you need something a little stronger, try zinc supplements. It is a common and popular home acne remedy even today. You should take zinc supplements at the regular dose at the beginning and then start to reduce the dose after taking them for about one month. Results may not be visible for several weeks, however.

Of course, as there are many different home treatments you'll need to find which ones work best for you simply through trial and error. The remedies I have mentioned in this article are only the tip of the iceberg and with a little research, you'll find a wealth of others which you may wish to try.

While a few of these remedies seem a bit outlandish, you might be surprised at how effective they actually are. So, grab some garlic or a lemon or two, and get started on those nasty pimples, the right acne remedy is out there, and it is probably in your refrigerator! - 17273

About the Author:

If you have acne you should get to know that there are many treatment options to treat it beyond prescription medications. See this site all about natural cures for acne for many kinds of acne. If you want to go get great advice on getting rid of acne go here to ICuredMyacne.net.

The Evolution of Authentic Mexican Food

By KC Kudra

Mexican food is popular all over the world and for great reasons. There is such a variety when it comes to Mexican dishes. You can taste combinations you never have before. Many people appreciate the great Mexican minds that created popular Mexican foods. The foods thrill our taste buds, the smells excite our minds, and the looks please our eyes, enrich, and inspire our souls.

Many of the Mexican foods of today are based from long ago when the Aztecs and Mayas first created them. Some dishes that are exotic and eaten long ago include iguana, spider monkeys, and rattlesnakes. It is not eaten most of the time in this century, but it is also not unheard of.

Mexican food developed further, when the Spanish colonists arrived in the country, bringing with them different cooking methods, and ingredients formerly unknown in the area. One ingredient, which has always been popular in Mexican food, is chili pepper. Some Mexican recipes have a Caribbean influence and this is especially true in the Mexican states of the Yucatan and Vera Cruz. Other Mexican dishes contain a French influence. Bolillo, which is a popular type of bread in Mexico, has a French influence.

Mexican foods provide many health benefits if they are prepared correctly. There is, however, a lot of difference between traditional Mexican recipes and the modern equivalents. Taco Bell does not use authentic Mexican recipes. America has altered these traditional recipes and added fats to make them appeal to the American palate and preservatives to keep them fresh for longer. This obviously has an impact on the health benefits. Traditional Mexican dishes are rich in fresh ingredients such as garlic, onion, tomatoes, and peppers, which are all very good for you.

Foods differ in the different regions of Mexico. It depends on the climate and geography of the area along with ethnic differences. Northern Mexico is known for its dishes that contain meat, while in Southern Mexico, dishes popular include vegetable and chicken. Seafood is commonly served in the Mexican state of Vera Cruz. Vera Cruz is a Mexican state that is very long and tropical with lowlands that runs up and down the Gulf of Mexico. It is easy to get fish such as red snapper, snook, grouper, and mojarra. Mojarra is a prized fish in the area. Crab, lobsters, and oysters are abundant.

Besides the ocean, the state has more than 40 rivers that run through it. It has an endless supply of freshwater fish and shellfish. The food is prepared in a way that reflects unique dishes of the state. Seafood is very healthy for your body and can add a different taste to regular classic Mexican food dishes.

It is possible to learn plenty of history about Mexican food by the different regions of the country and it is always exciting to try traditional Mexican recipes from various Mexican regions. The history of Mexican food is rich and interesting and when you know where the dishes originated and how they developed, this will add to your overall cooking and eating experience! - 17273

About the Author:

Mexican food recipes that your family will beg for every time with the taste of traditional Mexican recipes. Find information on just why Mexican cuisine is so popular and why so many people are finding this healthy diet.

A Guide to Modern Essential Oil Production

By Erin Stone

Browsing the Aromatherapy market, especially medicinal grade essential oils, you'll find a great many methods of essential oil production. Labels like 'SCO2', 'Hydro-distilled', and 'Absolute' are common, amongst the most popular 'steam distilled' varieties. Some of these methods employ very high-technology equipment, technology that was not available to the average distiller only 25 years ago. Which method produces the best oil? It seems that each distillation process has plants with which it works best, and there's not a 'best way' for making the most healing essential oils. And like many artesian processes, there are many other factors determining an oil's quality: the health and vigor of the plant itself, it's cultivation method (farmed, organic, wildcrafted, etc.), the weather during that growing season, and the skill and intention of the grower and distller. Here's a great review of essential oil distillation techniques used today, so you can understand what you're buying and using when shopping for essential oils...

Steam and Hydro-Distillation

Steam distillation, the most common method of essential oil production, involves the flow of steam into a chamber holding the raw plant material (Hydro-distillation uses boiling water directly). The steam causes small sacs containing essential oil to burst. The oil is then carried by the steam out of the chamber and into a chilled condenser, where the steam once again becomes water. The oil and water are then separated - the water, or'hydrosol', is often retained for it's own therapeutic properties.

Several parameters determine the quality of a steam distilled essential oil. Besides the quality of the plant material itself, there is the distilling time, temperature, and pressure. Aromatic oils are very complex - each is made up of many distinct molecules which come together to form the oil's aroma and therapeutic properties. Some of these molecules are delicate structures which will be altered by harsh environmental conditions. So, much like a fine meal is more flavorful when made with patience, oils generally benefit from patient processing.

The temperature of the extraction chamber cannot be too high, lest some components of the oil be altered or destroyed. The same is true of the chamber's pressure. Lavender essential oil, for example, should not be processed at over 245 degrees F and three pounds per square inch of pressure (3 psi). Higher temperatures and/or pressures result in a 'harsh' aroma - more chemical than floral - and lessen the oil's therapeutic effects. Also, the extraction period must be allowed to continue for a certain period of time in order to flush ALL the oil's components from the plant, as some are released more quickly than others.

High temperatures and pressures are often used to produces large quantities of oil in a short period of time. The oils are often destined for use in cosmetic and food products, but can sold as essential oils for use in aromatherapy. These oils will be less expensive, though they are of limited therapeutic value.

What are Absolutes?

Some plants, and their flowers cannot be processed through steam distilling. They are too delicate, or their fragrance and therapeutic essences wil not be totally released by water. These oils will be produced as 'absolutes - and while not technically considered essential oils they can still be of therapeutic value (the technical description of an essential oil is the aromatic compounds of a plant produced by steam distillation). Jasmine oil and Rose oil in particular are delicate flowers who's oils are often found in absolute form. Jasmine oil is only found as an absolute, whereas rose is available in both a a steam distilled form and as an absolute.

The processing of an absolute first involves the hydrocarbon solvent extraction of a 'concrete' from the plant material, a semi-solid mixture of typically 50% wax and 50% volatile oil. The concrete is again processed using ethyl alcohol (the same alcohol found in beer, wine, etc.) in which the wax is only slightly soluble. The volatile plant oil separates into the alcohol and this mixture is removed. The alcohol is then evaporated and the result is an almost pure plant extract - depending on the care taken in the evaporation process, sometimes 2% or less of the ethyl alcohol may remain. The use of solvents in the extraction process notwithstanding, absolutes can have incredibly deep and complex aromas.

What are CO's and Super Critical CO2's?

The most modern technologies are Carbon Dioxide and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide distillation. Both methods involve the use of carbon dioxide as the solvent which carries the essential oil away from the raw plant material - though the gas essentially acts as the steam in steam distillation. The only difference between the two are the temperatures and pressures used - though neither uses a temperature greater than 87 degrees. With release of the pressure in either process, the carbon dioxide escapes in its gaseous form, leaving the essential oil behind.

Carbon dioxide methods have significant advantages. There are no solvent residues left behind, and the resultant product is perfectly pure. There is no heat applied to the plant material or essential oil to alter it in any way. The oil produced is very accurate with respect to the original state of the plant. The CO2 methods also are the most efficient, producing the most oil per amount of plant (one of the reasons for the high cost of essential oils is the low yield of oil from most plants - one ton of Rose petals produces less than 1 pound of oil, for example). The efficiency of CO2 extraction is particularly important when rare species are involved, such as Indian Sandalwood - less of the plant is needed to produce an equivalent amount of oil.

The Simple Cold Press

Cold pressing from the rinds of citrus fruit proudces oils such as Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Lemon, Lime, and the like. This involves the simple pressing of the peels at about 120 degrees. Little, if any, alteration from the oil's original makup occurs - these oils retain their bright and uplifting aromas, like that of smelling a wonderfully ripe fruit.

Is there a Best Method?

CO2's, with some obvious advantages, are not always the best choice for a particular need. They still are the most expensive, despite their higher yields. The resultant product differs slightly compared to one produced another way - the oils produced by steam distillation of some plants may sometimes be found to have a more agreeable aroma. Patchouli oil, for example, seems to benefit from the steam distillation process by becoming a little warmer and richer. Many other essential oils are quite effectively produced via steam distillation, with little alteration from the original plant state. Oils from other plant species do seem more 'complete' with CO2 processing, with Frankincense oil and most of the 'spice' oils being good examples where a little something special is present in the aroma. This likely translates to greater therapeautic properties.

Producing well-rounded essential oils is skill requiring years of experience - it takes the work of a dedicated artesian at every step. The making of a great essential oil relies far more on knowledge and experience than it does on the particular extraction method. There are of course legitimate reasons to select one distillation method over another. In the end, as is often the case in aromatherapy, your own sense of smell can tell you which oil will work best for you. - 17273

About the Author:

The author regularly employs pure aromatherapy essential oils and Bach flowers therapy in her practice.