Rapid Fat Loss Diets

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Discover The Power Of Super Foods Such As Blue Berries

By Kevin P Smith

Fruits and vegetables are a imperative piece of a wholesome food intake. Comparisons between numerous fruits and vegetables have found a class that are so valuable that they are deemed to be "super" or super foods and super fruits.

A super food can be described as a food that offers excellent nutritional significance for the amount of calories it contains. These outstanding fruits and vegetables incorporate spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, tomatoes and more. Most of the berries, exceptionally blueberries, cranberries and the acai berry from Brazil are considered to be super fruits.

A free radical is an unpredictable molecule that is created during processes that call for oxygen. The molecule loses an electron, which causes it to become highly unbalanced and unpredictable. If you are alive and breathing, almost every process in your body needs oxygen so you are involuntarily making free radicals every single minute. Antioxidants are compounds that are found in food that come in and offer the missing electron thereby neutralizing it.

Even though free radicals are constantly being produced, they are exceedingly unstable and they can create devastation if they are not neutralized. Free radicals are at the foundation of tribulations such as disease, wrinkles and sagging skin, gray hair and even obesity. Free radicals can be detrimental to all of the systems of our bodies, from the immune system and cardiovascular systems to the optimum function of our brains.

Free radicals are continuously being developed nevertheless, they are greatly unpredictable and they can generate many difficulties if they are not neutralized. Free radicals are considered to be a issue in disease, wrinkles and baggy skin and even in retaining excessive weight. They can be detrimental to every system in our bodies from the immune system to the cardiovascular system to our brain function.

The damage from free radicals is subtle. It shows up progressively. Most disease come about after a protracted process, few if any show up immediately. A sickness manifests after a long progression. Same with wrinkles and gray hair, very few people wake up one day utterly gray and absolutely wrinkly. But a gray hair here and a line there all add up.

Nature has provided a means to defuse the injury from free radicals and to help stop the diseases, and the effects of aging. Antioxidant rich foods offer the lost electron to the free radical in this manner neutralizing it and preventing the destruction that it is doing.

To supply the uppermost advantage, antioxidant rich foods need to be eaten day after day. Since the free radicals are always being developed, they must constantly be neutralized. Research is ongoing to provide further information about the effectiveness of antioxidants in improving our healthiness. It is wise to support your everyday diet with blueberries, acai berry supplements, spinach, pumpkin and more. - 17273

About the Author:

Total Health and Wellness Is Found in a Berry

By Dr. Jerimiah Crossderd

Aside from the acai berry being an unsullied, mouth-watering, organically grown fruit- it is also rich with antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients as well as substances that slow the oxidation damage to our body.

The process of the body's cells using oxygen produces by-products (also known as free radicals) that can do damage to our body. Antioxidants prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. By ensuring your body is full of antioxidants, you can protect yourself from this damage.

Terrible consequences can occur when free radicals are able to roam free in the body. These toxic by-products are the reason our DNA breaks down opening the door for cancer. free radicals can destroy our cells to the point where they break down so much they stop working.

Free radicals have been the factors behind various types of neurological problems to hormonal damage. Acai fruit has been found when taken on a regular basis to contain enough antioxidants to fight off these dangerous by-products.

Studies have revealed for years that when antioxidants are taken as part of a regular diet, the body has the ability to repair, and maintain resistance to free radicals as well future attacks.

A book entitled the Perricone Promise was written by Dr. Perricone who is generally regarded as the person responsible for introducing the fruit to the mainstream audience. In this book he describes the acai berry as being the most perfect food known on the planet today.

When it comes to a food that will make you look and feel young, Dr. Perricone says that the acai berry has all of the ingredients needed to accomplish this. Also, when looking for a diet that will revitalize your health and slow the aging process Dr. Perricone says look no further than the acai fruit berry.

Acai berry is categorized as a super food because it contains all the nutrition your body needs in fighting dangerous by-products in the body like free radicals. Be sure to research this amazing fruit further if you are looking for a diet that will provide your body with the strength needed to fight and remove these harmful toxins.

So, if you are looking for a diet that will provide energetic health, a reduction in aging, and a free radical fighter then look no further than the acai fruit berry. - 17273

About the Author:

Body Building Supplements, Do You Need Them?

By Ricardo d Argence

Muscle building is not only relevant for men, it has become increasingly more popular for women to be concerned about building muscle. It is often believed that developed muscles are only for strong men like Tarzan.

There are two sides to the concept of building muscles. First, it benefits the muscles through toning, keeping them healthy and strong. Second, it prevents fat from accumulating around your muscles. Your extremities are powerful still at the same time, they are preserved non-fleshy and robust.

We all lead busy and demanding lives, so you're probably asking the question: How can I possibly find time to build muscle when the main demand on my time is making money? There's a good answer available to this question and it centres on bolstering your diet with health food supplements.

As you will find with a little research, the market is flooded with aids of these types. They'll definitely assist your body's muscle building process and are therefore good for you,they promise good toning and quick burning of fat so if they work well.

I must offer you a word of caution at this point. In order to reduce stress and fatigue it is necessary to introduce these health food supplements into your diet, as the chemical products add in the process in reducing your stress levels. For instance, Glutamine is one of them. Oxides of nitrate or even nitric acid are two others. Proteins and enzymes will be there too.

Generally speaking, these items are harmless and your body will absorb without fuss the small supplemental quantity being administered into your body. Soon enough, you're likely to feel fit and muscle-toned. Sure, you'll also be thrilled!

Choosing your health food supplement is something you can do by yourself because there are numerous competing brands jostling for customers' attention on store shelves. Don't pick one of them at random.

The supplemental additives cited above might possibly have side effects on your health depending on your body's constitution. Don't feel scared but you ought to know that nitric acid could impinge upon your sexual health.

I think it's a very good idea, therefore, to consult the family doctor before beginning your health food supplements regimen. He'll tell you what's best for you. It's even possible some additives can be found in natural products like fruits and vegetables so a properly adjusted diet will do the job, as simple as that. So while taking health food supplements are probably good for you, prior medical advice is recommended.

All of the above taken together will show you a body with well-toned muscles when you stand in front of a tall mirror! - 17273

About the Author:

Boost Your Health with Wheat Grass

By Joe Farran

Wheat grass is a grass which belongs to the family of grasses such as barley and rye which we are more familiar with. The type that is used to make juice is not grown outdoors but indoors on special trays. Much of the dehydrated grass that is about sixty days old is mainly used in nutritional supplements. Such juice when combined with some of the sprouted wheat berries is particularly rich in chlorophyll content.

This beneficial drink is able to neutralize a lot of the toxins in the body as well as slowing down the ageing process and general cleansing. It is also believed to reduce the risk of developing cancers. A lot of people are aware of the benefits of the juices after seeing those TV adverts for the Jack Lalanne juicer which extol the virtue of fresh juices.

The juice from wheat grass has been shown to benefit a number of medical conditions, as shown by studies performed by medical professionals. Like the plant aloe vera, the herbal form, is often used as a medicine and is known to possess some healing properties. If you have ever noticed, many cats and dogs will often eat grass when they feel unwell or sick. When food sits in our gastrointestinal tract it produces toxins which get absorbed into the bloodstream. Wheat grass is believed to neutralize these toxins which consequently benefits the health. Wheat grass contains lots of enzymes which have the power to detoxify and neutralize many of the toxins and additives found in the diet.

The life blood of plants is chlorophyll which makes the plants a green color. The chlorophyll and enzymes in the wheat grass can be destroyed by cooking. It is, therefore, advisable not to do this but to consume it in its fresh form. An interesting point is that many grass eating animals rarely get cancer, which could be due to them consuming chlorophyll in the fresh form. Chlorophyll does not detoxify the body itself but has certain enzymes present in it that do have the power to detoxify.

Many people who have bought a Jack Lalanne juicing machine will understand all too well the health benefits of juicing. The nutritious properties of a fruit juice will be boosted by the addition of wheat grass. They can be a significant boost to health as they are packed full of essential minerals and vitamins.

The cleansing effect of juices on the body have been known for many years. Due to these cleansing properties many doctors have been known to advise drinking them when not feeling well. A but little known fact is that weight for weight, wheat grass has more amounts of protein than fish, eggs and beans and more iron than spinach.

All in all, wheat grass should be considered one of the superfoods. It is no surprise, therefore, that more people are discovering its health benefits. Experience the wonders of this superfood and try adding it to your daily diet today . - 17273

About the Author:

Trying to Shed Fat Quickly? Is It the Best Thing

By Brad Ford

Patience is a quality that folks who are trying to shed pounds seem to need more of. The blubber can on no account be lost rapidly enough to satisfy what their idea of how weight loss should happen. The implication from mainstream media is that losing weight can be actually be done swiftly. Television portrays weight loss has been something that can be effectively done fast, it seems to be a easy thing to do and is permanent. This mindset promoted by the media is a tad skewed from what occurs in real-life.

Speedy weight loss looks like the essential objective of any person who is overweight and needs to lose weight, but is it smart? The truth is that it isn't the greatest line of attack to attempt weight loss. Is important to think about the different types of tissue that is lost when you diet, muscle and fat. You will want to lose more fat. Lose weight deliberately and you will be victorious. That is how the chess match of weight loss should be played.

Long term weight loss ought to be the goal of anybody trying to lose their love handles. Trying to attain short term weight loss too fast will hamper your weight loss efforts in the future. It is recommended that you should lose no more than two pounds a week. At more then two pounds per week, and you lose muscle mass and leave behind more fat. Muscle is metabolically active part of your body and therefore burns more energy. Body fat is less energy consuming and doesn't enhance your metabolism. If you consider the fact that Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was your fat. Pounds of fat just doesn't accumulate in your body overnight and it won't leave overnight. That is why it is better to take a slower route to weight loss.

There are certainly exceptions to the hard and fast rule of 2 lbs. of weekly weight loss. The exceptions turn up for the morbidly obese over 300 pounds. At a higher weight level, weekly weight loss can be carried on at a more of a percentage based formula based on starting weight of the individual prior to dieting. Is important that the percentage of weight loss does not go above 1% in any particular week.

Keep in mind that when we're talking about "weight", it is not the same thing as "fat". Weight refers to the overall weight of our body which includes a lot of different tissues including muscle, fat, bone, skin, internal organs, blood, and much more. A morbid and almost funny way to think of this is if I asked you to cut off an arm, you would instantly lose "weight". So we know that your goal is not to just lose weight, but there is something else you have in mind. You want to lose "fat".

When you want to lose weight, you should look at adding a weight lifting regime to build muscle in your body. Muscle is a more active type of tissue that will help you keep the weight off.

If you carry on with an excessive weight loss every week and you are losing more and more lean muscle tissue, once you stop dieting and exercising the ratio of fat tissue will be higher than when you started. Therefore what would you will have is a slowing down of your metabolism, and you're setting yourself up for a future gain in weight. At the point that you have lost the weight, you are almost like a "skinny fat person". Yeah of course you've lost weight but not the right kind of weight.

How do I recognize if I'm losing fat instead of muscle?

Good question. Nowadays, there are a number of home tasting kits that can test body fat ratio. You can either go to your medical supplies store locally or just search online. One of those is the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis scale, but the best thing that you can utilize is what is known as body fat calipers. We won't go into the formula of how you calculate body fat ratio using calipers measurements, but what you do is pinch a loose piece of your skin on your different areas of your body and determine the thickness in millimeters. From this you will get the best and most accurate reading for body fat ratio. The calculation that you apply will account for height and weight and sex. Websites that carry out the calculations for you can be found rather effortlessly on Google. Just insert the figures and you're good to go.

In general just reflect about the way that you gained your weight. You didn't gain it overnight, it was a process of over the years at the fat cells accumulated in your body and grew larger. Believe that you can achieve permanent weight loss if you take the tortoise mentality in how you approach losing weight! - 17273

About the Author:

Why you Need Detox Recipes

By Ferdinand Emy

In this era of light products and feel good attitude, it can be confusing to know which products are good and which ones are bogus and are just trying to get your hard earned money in exchange for nothing.

Among these new techniques to become healthier, detox recipes are becoming increasingly popular. They're remarkably sought after by persons who don't have time to do exercise or go to the gym or the sauna, but who would like to get rid of the toxins in their body.

Detox recipes are given by numerous health specialists and nutriologists. They are similarly very easy to find on Internet or on health books in bookstores.

Because there're so many of them, it can be hard to tell the detox recipes that work, from the ones that don't. If you are considering|reflecting|deliberating|contemplating|taking into account|pondering|chewing over|weighing up|cogitating|ruminating detox recipes as an option for getting rid of all the toxins in your body, here are some useful tips.

Initial of all, trustworthy detox recipes will include their nutritional values. These include number of calories, as well as aggregates of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, etc. Detox recipes that work will have all these values obtainable to you. This will let you to see that you are getting all the nutritional elements that your body needs. Plus, these values are very simple to verify. That means that its very trying to lie and exaggerate or diminish a value so as to make the recipe more attractive.

On the other hand, detox recipes that lack this data may pretty much sell you anything they want, without any accountability for effects. This can be frustrating, to say the very least.

A lot of detox recipes will also recommend some supplement or products to take. These might be pills, or teas, or anything in between. You might wish to check the ingredients of these products. Some of them are simple and organic and they'll pose no problem. Others will have chemicals and you must decide how much you trust the person that is prescribing them before taking them.

In fact, one of the safest ways to decide which detox recipes are OK is to demand about the experience of people you trust and who have followed such recipes. Since these persons care for you and are not captivated in any commission or profit, they're probably the most reliable source you may have regarding detox recipes.

At Last, do not forget that detox recipes are not meant to be taken permanently. The detoxification of the body should not take more than a few days, and then normal eating habits should be taken. Indubitably, try to keep good eating habits and you won't have to go through a detoxification procedure as predominantly. - 17273

About the Author:

Negative Calorie Foods: Found in Many Diets

By Stan Towers

Negative calorie foods are an idea that comes up often to anyone who does research online about weight loss. There have been many arguments over this particular weight loss plan, but there's no question that there are many imitators who are basing their dieting plans around some of the same ideas as negative calorie foods.

Many diets are based at least in part (if not entirely) around foods that appear on the negative calorie foods list. This includes the grapefruit diet, pineapple diet, and cabbage soup diet, just to name a few. Obviously vegetarian diets will have a lot in common with negative calorie foods, as well, since all the foods on this list are either fruits or vegetables.

The pineapple diet has several different forms, but all revolve around eating a lot of pineapple. Pineapple is found on the negative calorie foods list, and is often mentioned as a healthy food that has enzymes that are hard for the body to break down, encouraging weight loss.

Of all the diet examples listed, perhaps the cabbage soup diet is the most well known, and also the eating plan that most firmly uses negative calorie foods. Aside from the three days where only certain types of fruits and vegetables are allowed (other than the soup), the base soup of this diet is made almost completely from ingredients that appear on the famous list of these foods. Compare the two and the similarities will jump out at you.

If you want another example, then just take a look at the grapefruit diet. Grapefruit appears on the list for foods that might have negative caloric effect, and the grapefruit diet certainly doesn't shy away from the idea of people eating these over and over again. It's a great healthy fruit, and no wonder that someone would start a fad diet around this one.

Many different vegetables are listed as "negative calorie foods," meaning that vegetarian diets are going to have many of these foods. The biggest difference will be that vegetarians can eat high calorie vegetables and things like grain and rice " which are not on the list.

Even beyond the ones mentioned in this article, there are many other diets out there which are based in some form or another on these foods. While not many of these diets are likely to admit to the truth, the evidence is obvious.

All arguments aside, you're not likely to ever find someone who says eating more fruit and vegetables is a bad nutritional choice. Negative calorie foods are all about the fruits and veggies, so no matter what type of arguments remain this diet is likely to stay around. - 17273

About the Author:

What Gets the Metabolic Motor

By Dr. Hector Matsbush

Out of the many protein sources out there, whey protein is the ultimate. It comes from milk. During the process of turning milk into cheese, whey protein is separated out. Protein can be found in a variety of foods -mainly meats, such as fish, beef, and chicken.

Dairy products as well as eggs, cottage cheese, soy and vegetable protein also contain good amounts of protein. Nevertheless, none of these sources compares in quality or ease of use like whey protein. Whey protein has the highest value in providing branched-chain amino acids, which result in building and retaining muscle tissue.

When you use that protein powder, though, can really help you. So you want to strategically place when you are adding the protein powder in. It's a great tool also, because it's digested easily, it's easily absorbed. So it makes a great post-workout recovery drink.

So if you put that protein powder immediately after your workout that's gonna help with that muscle recovery the second you're done working out.

Putting that protein right before bedtime, even after your dinner but before bedtime, you can actually minimize how much muscle breakdown you have during the night. You can use protein powder as a way to increase the protein at your breakfast.

A lot of people struggle with getting enough protein at their breakfast. Stir that protein powder into your milk, pour that over your cereal, perfect. Stir it into your oatmeal.

Protein powders can also be a combination of one or more ingredients.

These concentrated sources of protein are processed into the powdered form, to be reconstituted into liquid form as a protein shake, or mixed with fruit juice or milk. Additionally, protein powders can be sprinkled on cereal, stirred into soups or stews, and cooked into baked goods.

Such as glutamine (a muscle enhancer, endurance builder, and muscle deterioration reducer), the content from high quality whey protein not only can, but will help one's muscles recover and grow faster by bring up the levels of protein. - 17273

About the Author:

Discover How Achieving Deep Sleep Is The Most Natural Way of Growing Taller

By Rodney Williams

Try this tonight. Measure your height before going to bed. Measure your height again tomorrow as soon as you wake up. If you've had a good night's sleep, your height would have increased by 1-2 inches! What could have made this possible? Deep sleep.

Deep sleep for about 8 hours every night is nature's fix to repair your body cells and nourish every bone and tissue with growth hormones. Efficient transportation of growth hormones is possible only in deep sleep, the best solution on how to increase height.

Absence of gravity on the spine is the immediate reason why you are taller every morning. When you are horizontal for a long time, the bones of the spine relax and soak in the spinal fluid which makes them larger. Therefore the quantity of sleep is also important in addition to the quality.

So how to reap all the benefits of a good night's sleep? Here are some helpful tips to achieve deep sleep.

Sleep on a firm mattress to align your spine in the right way. Proper spine posture helps the growth hormones travel to all parts of the body. Sleep in a dark room that is well ventilated. Bright light and stale air are both detrimental to growth during sleep. Keep your hands and feet warm; it helps you slip deep into sleep. You can drink a warm glass of milk if you have problems getting to sleep. A hot bath is also great to stimulate sleep and relax muscles.

Sleeping in the correct posture helps your spine straighten, relax your muscles and gain in height. Do not use a pillow as it leads to an arched upper back and stiff neck - a condition called as rounded shoulders. Also do not sleep on your face as it causes a swayback. You can sleep on your side with pillows between your knees and under the head. Or sleep on your back with a pillow under the knees.

You need to be tired at bedtime to get great sleep. Make sure you exercise during the day to tire yourself out. Performing height increasing exercises will give you added advantage. When you lie down on your bed to sleep, stretch your arms and legs out and wiggle your body to drop off to sleep.

Sleep is nature's way of curing and replenishing our body. And we get it for free. Make most of it to grow taller. - 17273

About the Author:

Finding Out The Answers To The Big Question Of Weight Loss: Supplements Or No Supplements?

By Marz Zinnbao

In the today's age of high tech that has allowed medical science to accomplish so much, there are a number of drugs showing up all over the place that are advertised as the answer to problem of weight loss.

These types of drugs are called 'supplements' and each are competing to hold the title of giving the best solution to help people lose weight quickly and effortlessly.

Do they really work?

The truth is that a number of people have experienced problems with some supplements and this has caused a number of horror stories to circulate everywhere. As a result, supplements are often regarded as scam and are often treated with real skepticism.

However, for each horror story, there is a corresponding success story as well, especially with weight loss supplements. Some well known celebrities and public figures have reported dramatic weight loss when they take certain types of supplements, and this makes the public wonder if these supplements really are effective.

In order to be able to understand what these supplements do, you will want to understand how most of them work. Most of today's supplements will do at least one of the following:

1. Helps control appetite

2. Increase metabolism rate

3. Aid the digestive system

As you can see, each of these has the potential to help with weight loss efforts.

The first type is appetite control. Obviously, the less you eat, the more weight you lose. By taking in supplements to help curb your hunger, many binge eaters will benefit from this.

Many people gain weight because of low metabolism. By increasing or boosting their body's metabolism rate via supplements, excess fat will be burned and losing weight will be the result.

If the digestive system has some help it can streamline the tasks it handles and will be able to metabolize food much quicker. This means you will be less likely to metabolize food while you are sleeping and storing the excess energy.

With these types of supplements in mind and how they work, they really do have the potential to help you lose weight. But the big question is: Do they really work as advertised?

There really is no accurate answer to that. Just be aware of any claims by supplement companies that sound outlandish or unrealistic.

Weight loss supplements may be a valuable arsenal to your weight loss program, but it should only compliment your existing exercise routine and diet.

Conclusion: Supplements can help you lose weight, but they're by no means a 'miracle cure'. - 17273

About the Author:

Make the Move to a Healthy Body with a Berry

By Leo Borjanieck

Aside from the acai berry being an unsullied, mouth-watering, organically grown fruit- it is also rich with antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients as well as substances that slow the oxidation damage to our body.

When the body's cells consume oxygen, it creates free radicals (or by-products) that can cause a lot of problems to our body. Antioxidants play an important role in preventing, repairing, and removing the damage done by these toxic by-products. Having a daily supplement of antioxidants is the best way known to protect yourself from these harmful free radicals.

Terrible consequences can occur when free radicals are able to roam free in the body. These toxic by-products are the reason our DNA breaks down opening the door for cancer. free radicals can destroy our cells to the point where they break down so much they stop working.

Free radicals have been the factors behind various types of neurological problems to hormonal damage. Acai fruit has been found when taken on a regular basis to contain enough antioxidants to fight off these dangerous by-products.

Studies have revealed for years that when antioxidants are taken as part of a regular diet, the body has the ability to repair, and maintain resistance to free radicals as well future attacks.

The acai berry was recently introduced to the mainstream audience by a Doctor by the name of Nicholas Perricone who wrote a book entitled the Perricone Promise. In this book he goes into detail about how the acai berry is what he calls the most perfect food on the planet known today.

When it comes to a food that will make you look and feel young, Dr. Perricone says that the acai berry has all of the ingredients needed to accomplish this. Also, when looking for a diet that will revitalize your health and slow the aging process Dr. Perricone says look no further than the acai fruit berry.

Acai berry is categorized as a super food because it contains all the nutrition your body needs in fighting dangerous by-products in the body like free radicals. Be sure to research this amazing fruit further if you are looking for a diet that will provide your body with the strength needed to fight and remove these harmful toxins.

So, if you are looking for a diet that will provide energetic health, a reduction in aging, and a free radical fighter then look no further than the acai fruit berry. - 17273

About the Author:

Building Muscles While at Home

By Carey Pontius

Getting fit and buff is something we all strive to achieve. However, majority of people can neither afford to sign up for exclusive gym memberships nor have the time to check in and do some gym works. For most of us, staying at home is always the best option. But fitness experts have slammed aerobics at home as one way of getting fit.

If you really want to build yourself into a muscle buff, do what bodybuilders do, do some heavy lifting. And yes, you can do that at home as well. But heavy lifting should not be a series of random actions. It should be meticulous and with purposes. That is, if you want to get the best results.

Before you plan your weight lifting routine, know what you want first. Do you want to target your upper body muscles, thighs, or just the midsection? Knowing what you want helps you in structuring a more plausible and doable muscle building plan. Read on to know more how you can best achieve that muscular gain you have always wanted.

Heavy lifting has been proven as the most effective type of muscle building exercise. And it is practically used by almost all bodybuilders around the world. For starters, it is best that you start small and light. You can begin your series of lift training with five to eight pounds of weight. As your level of fitness increases, you can gradually raise the standards and work out with 20-80 pound exercising machines and equipment.

You can't expect your muscles to grow after a week of working out. Unless you started off with 15 pounds of weight, you'll see some little results. The thing is you should be patient and closely monitor your progress as your training goes further.

There are many weight exercises that provide great workouts even in a domestic atmosphere. But remember that these exercises must stimulate simultaneously different muscle groups if you want to achieve great results. Weight exercises like biceps curls and triceps only targets specific muscles. By contrast, squats, step-ups and shoulder press are far more effective in toning and building your body since they really employ the use of various muscles in one exercise.

Most of these weight training exercises require the use of gym equipment. However, there is no need to trudge down to the fitness store and purchase the latest home gym equipment. You just have to be creative and use what are readily available to you. - 17273

About the Author: