A great number of adults, and numerous children, simply lose hot dogs. However, we are all aware of the fact that this food contains almost no nutrients.

Nevertheless, hot dogs are commonly included in the breakfast, along with bread, eggs, cheese, coffee or milk.

However, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, the consumption of only one hot dog daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 21%. Moreover, children who eat 12 or more hot dogs during the month are more susceptible to developing some kind of serious disease, especially leukemia.

Namely, hot dogs are rich in numerous chemicals and artificial compounds which lead to various infections and malignancy. These cancer-causing agents hot dogs contain have the capacity to cause the formation of tumor in living tissue.

This is review of the contents:

• Pork
• Mechanically separated chicken
• Mechanically separated turkey
• less than 2% of salt
• Flavor
• Corn syrup
• Dextrose
• Sodium diacetate
• Sodium nitrite
• Sodium ascorbate
• Sodium phosphates
• Sodium lactate

Namely, as soon as the food is warmed, prepared meats contain nitrates and nitrites which form nitrosamines together with amines, and they are shown to be cancer-causing.

Furthermore, hot dogs contain numerous remains of animals, like skins, heads, fatty tissues, feet, and numerous other butcher by-items. What’s more, hot dogs contain even more awful additional items.

Namely, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the Freedom of Information Act, reported that numerous other unusual objects have been found in this food, such as maggots, rat legs, Band-Aids, disposable blades, parts of eyeballs, metal sections, and glass shards.

So, do you still plan hot dogs to be your next delicious meal?

The appearance of dark underarms even though you had shaved them can be an annoying cosmetic issue. It can be a consequence of poor underarm ventilation, an accumulation of dead skin cells, shaving, regular use of hair removing creams, excessive sweating, or the use of alcohol-based deodorants and antiperspirants.

As the summer is approaching, you would rather not have this problematic issue. However, there is no need to worry, since there are numerous ways to eliminate this issue, since it is not there for good.

Here below we provide five of these natural methods, so you can try them out.

Baking Soda

Prepare a thick paste out of baking soda and water. Scrub your underarms, and then proceed to wash the paste off and pat it dry. Do this a few times a week. Baking soda and cornstarch also help to neutralize the odor.

Lemon

Rub a lemon wedge on your skin for a few minutes. Then, leave it there for 10 minutes, and afterwards, wash it off thoroughly. Lemons can be harsh on the skin, so make sure to apply a moisturizer afterwards.

Vinegar

Prepare a thick paste out of flour and vinegar. Apply it during a hot shower. Allow the paste to dry for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat a few times a week.

Potatoes

Rub a thin slice of potato on your underarms. You can also grate the potato and apply its juice to those dark areas. Then, allow your arms to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water. It is advisable that you repeat this twice a day and allow the potatoes bleaching properties work their magic, without the irritation. The same treatment can be done with cucumbers as well.

Milk

Mix two tablespoons of full fat milk, one tablespoon of flour, and one teaspoon of plain yogurt. You’ll get a thick paste. Apply this paste on your underarms and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Do this a few times a week.

But how to ensure that these effects will last?

Once you have solved this issue, here are several ways to avoid darkening your underarms:

Replace the shaving cream with coconut oil, as it will leave your skin feeling smooth and soft the natural way. You can also rub coconut oil on your underarms to clear up dark underarms.

Wax your arms instead of shaving them. When we shave, we raise the risk of developing ingrown hairs, which can generate a dark underarm appearance. Waxing on the other hand, will ensure that the full hair strand comes right out of the follicle.

Use natural antiperspirants to control sweating and keep your arms smelling good without applying a layer of harmful ingredients on your underarms.

To prevent the buildup of dead skin cells, exfoliate your underarms once a week.

Sometimes, ark underarms can indicate a medical condition called acanthosis nigricans which is often linked to obesity, hormonal disorders, insulin resistance, certain medications and cancer. So, if you suspect a deeper issue regarding your dark underarms we advise you to consult your doctor.

Kidney disease affects millions of people worldwide, and the National Institutes of Health estimate that over 660,000 Americans suffer from kidney failure.

Its primary causes include diabetes and high blood pressure, and kidney conditions trigger waste buildup in the body, which can lead to even more serious health issues.

The kidneys are located below the rib cage, and their shape resembles the one of beans. They are part of the urinary tract, along with the ureters, bladder, and urethra.

The main functions of the urinary tract are to regulate blood pH, blood pressure and volume, to remove blood waste products, and to balance electrolyte and metabolite levels.

The kidneys serve numerous bodily functions, and if functioning properly, they filter about a half-cup of blood every 60 seconds. The filtering blood supports the passage of urine and eliminates waste byproducts. Urine travels to the ureters, which are two narrow tubes on the sides of the bladder, and store urine until it is passed.

Moreover, the kidneys maintain bone strength, produce red blood cells and blood pressure-regulating hormones, balance electrolyte levels, and prevent waste and fluid accumulation in the body.

The kidneys contain about a million of filtering units, knows as nephrons, which contain two filtering components – the glomerulus and a tubule. The glomerulus actively filters the blood, while the tubule transports the needed elements to the blood while eliminating waste.

The glomerulus has very thin walls, and thus passes fluids, tiny molecules, and wastes to the tubule, which in turn transfers the remaining fluids and wastes to the ureters, to be excreted in the form of urine.

The most common kidney issues include:

• Kidney infection: An infection occurs due to the spreading of bacteria in the bladder or urethra spreads when they reach the kidneys.
• Kidney injury: This is a relatively sudden episode of kidney damage or kidney failure.
• Kidney cysts: They are small sacs of fluid that grow on the surface or inside of the kidneys.
• Kidney stones: They are formed when the urine is abnormally high in crystal-forming substances than can be diluted.

In 2013, a Turkish researcher Rumeyza Kazancioglu published an article in the journal Kidney International Supplements in which he identifies all known risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD):

• Age- he states that “renal function decreases with age” in both sexes
• Ethnicity- African-Americans acquire end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at a rate that is three to four times higher than Caucasians.
• Gender- Studies indicate that men are more prone to developing kidney problems than women.
• Family history- About 25 percent (1-in-4) of patients with ESRD have a family member with the same.
• Lifestyle- The risk of CKD is increased due to smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, analgesic medication, obesity, and heavy metal exposure.
• Medical co-conditions: A history of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, hepatitis C, HIV infection, and hyperlipidemia.

These are 25 potential hidden warning signs of kidney issues:

• Fatigue, due to the exhausted muscles and brain as a result of the shortage of red blood cells
• Abdominal swellings
• Blood in the urine
• Muscle cramps caused by imbalances of electrolytes and fluids, blood flow problems, or nerve damage
• Twitching of the muscles
• Dizziness, as the brain lacks oxygen due to the shortage of red blood cells.
• Faintness
• Pressure during urination
• Changes in urine, such as foamy urine, or strange coloration
• Muscle weakness, caused by the shortage of blood oxygen
• Brain fog
• Shortness of breath, due to anemia or extra fluid buildup in the lungs
• Metallic taste in the mouth, caused by uremia, or waste buildup in the blood
• Bad breath since the body does not eliminate waste well
• Nausea, caused by uremia
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Weight loss as kidney issues often cause poor appetite or vomiting
• Itchiness caused by fluid retention
• Swellings in the feet and hands due to excess fluids
• Swellings of the face and neck
• Feeling cold all the time, due to anemia
• Frequent urination, caused by damage to the nephrons
• Poor sleep
• Poor appetite

Here are some useful tips to help you keep your kidneys healthy and lower the risk of kidney troubles:

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Exercise regularly
4. Avoid smoking
5. Avoid or limit the use of OTCs, such as ibuprofen and other NSAIDs

Additionally, you can drastically improve the function of the kidneys by making some dietary changes.

First of all, you should increase the intake of the following fruits and veggies:

Fruits – blueberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries plums, pineapple

Veggies: cilantro, parsley, spinach, kale, wheatgrass, cucumber, asparagus, celery

If you enjoy healthy smoothies, these are the best add-ins you can use:

• Water/ice
• Rice milk (unenriched)
• Soy milk (unsweetened)
• Almond milk (unsweetened)
• Whey protein powder
• Egg white protein powder
• Pasteurized egg whites
• Honey
• Stevia
• Liquid renal supplements
• Soft silken tofu
• Sorbet
• Sherbet

Also, we suggest trying the following kidney-friendly smoothies:

Very Berry Goodness

• ½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• ½ c. unsweetened rice milk
• Stevia to taste (optional)

What a Peach

• 1 medium peach, pit removed, sliced or ½ cup frozen peaches
• ½ cup silken tofu
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tablespoon honey

Berry Smoothie

• ¼ cup cranberry juice cocktail
• ½ cup raspberries, frozen, unsweetened
• ½ cup blueberries, frozen, unsweetened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup silken tofu, firm

Easy No Milk Shake

• ½ cup berries, apple or banana or 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• ½ C Pasteurized Liquid Egg Product
• Flavor of choice – almond extract, lemon juice, vanilla extract
• ½ C Frozen Non-Dairy Whipped Topping

Cran-tastic

• 1 cup frozen cranberries
• a handful of parsley
• squeeze of lime
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1 stalk of celery

Add the ingredients in the blender, blend them well, and enjoy the fresh taste while improving your kidney health!

All of us consume unhealthy foods during the holiday season every year, dishes rich in fats and carbs, which harmfully affect our body. Namely, when the holidays and celebrations end, our body is full of toxins, which results in impaired health and bad appearance.

Nevertheless, it seems that Nature has remained our best friends. In this case as well, the natural medicine suggests a remarkable natural recipe that will restore our well-being.

This amazing organic detox drink will solve all issues that have occurred in your organism. It will discard toxins, while speeding up the metabolism and thus promoting a healthy process of losing excess weight.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons grated ginger
• juice of half a lemon
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 cup tomato juice
• hot pepper or chili powder

Method of preparation:

The celery should be added in the ends, so all other ingredients should be blended until you get a homogeneous mixture. Then, pour it into glasses and add the celery stalks to garnish it. You can also store larger amounts of this natural juice refrigerated.

Use:

Use this juice every day. Drink 3 glasses of it between meals. You will notice positive results already in 72 hours!

The dream of numerous people, and especially women, is to be able to lose weight without being on a strict healthy diet.

Yet, it all seems impossible! However, as incredible as it may sound, this is no longer just a dream! Yes, you read it right! We will reveal a miraculous recipe that will help you burn abdominal fat almost instantly!

Namely, our weight loss elixir contains only two simple ingredients: honey and cinnamon. These two beneficial ingredients are your best allies when it comes to losing extra weight.  Nutritionists claim that their mixture is far more effective than being used separately.

All you need to do is the following:

Add a tablespoon of cinnamon powder in 8.5 oz / 250 ml of boiled water. leave the drink to cool and add 2 tablespoons of honey. You must wait to add the honey, as the hot water will reduce its effect.

You should consume this extraordinary drink in the morning, as soon as you wake and before you do your regular cardio exercises.

In order to offer even more help, we will suggest an amazing cardio workout which will completely change your view of the usual boring and difficult workout.

Namely, we offer you a 4- minute workout which will provide the same, or even better, effects, as a longer and more exhausting exercising session. This wonder is also known as the Tabata protocol.

You should do eight 20-second rounds of jump squats, and rest for 10 seconds between  rounds. Rounds should be performed at an all-out pace, and you should work as hard as possible to succeed in doing the whole protocol.

Apart from doubling your metabolic rate after the exercise for at least half an hour afterwards, you will also burn approximately 13.4 calories in a  minute!

Beyond any doubt, the combination of this fantastic homemade recipe and this simple, but amazingly effective cardio- workout, you will finally get the body of your dreams, in no time!

The following exercises will help you burn abdominal fat and strengthen your abs. But first, make sure to do regularly cardio exercise at least 3 times a week.

Beginners’ moves

Front Plank

Targets: transverse abdominals

You should begin on the knees and hands and contract the belly and back muscles, drop down to the forearms while extending the legs out behind you, and you should end up resting on the balls of your feet.

The hips should be up, the back should be straight, and relax the neck. Remain in this position for 3 seconds, and then return to the initial position. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Butterfly Crunch

Targets: rectus abdominus (“six-pack”)

While lying on the back, place the soles close to your body and bend the knees to the side. The hands should be behind the head and the elbows in the same line with the ears.

The back should lie flat on the ground and thus contract the belly muscles, breathe in and curl your chest up a few inches off the floor toward the legs. Lower to return to the initial position. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Side to Side

Targets: obliques (sides)

Bend the knees while lying on the floor, and the feet should be flat on the floor and the arms by the sides. Breathe in and contract the belly muscles by sliding the right hand toward the right foot.

Keep the head and neck aligned, and the lower back pressed to the floor. Return to the initial position, switch sides and do 15 repetitions.

Intermediate Moves

Scissors

Targets: obliques

Keep the finger behind the head and lie on the floor. Tighten the abs, elevate the left knee and touch it to your right elbow. Return to the initial position, and then lift the right knee and touch it to your left elbow.

Switch sides for 15 reps, in 2 sets, but make sure you are engaging the belly muscles in a smooth motion, but the hands are relaxed in order not to pull on the neck.

Fingers to Toes

Targets: rectus abdominus

The legs should be straight and extended towards the ceiling. The arms should lie by the body, and you should be in a lying position.

Breathe in and tighten the abs as you crunch up from the waist and extend the hands toward the toes. The back should remain flat on the floor. Repeat in 2 sets of 15 reps.

Reverse Crunch with Resistance Bands

Targets: transverse abdominals

Bend the knees while lying on the back, the arms should be by the body, and hold one end of a band in each hand, with the band wrapped around tops of shins. Lift the knees toward your chest until the hips are elevated and leave the floor.

Remain in this position for 3 seconds; then, return to the initial position. Repeat 10 times in 2 sets.

Advanced Moves

Leg Swings

Targets: obliques

Lying on the back with the arms out to sides, legs and feet lifted, breathe in and draw navel in toward spine as you lower legs to left side about 5 inches from the floor. Return to the initial position and do the same on the right. Switch sides 15 times, in 3 sets.

Ball Leg Lift

Targets: transverse abdominals

Lie with the face down on a ball and roll forward until the hands are placed on the floor. In this position, only the tops of the feet should be flat on the ball.

Lift the left leg a few inches towards the ceiling, while keeping the back and right leg straight, hold for 3 seconds, and lower it, Repeat this 10 times, and then do it with the opposite leg. In order to obtain best results, you should add 2 repetitions each week.

Knee-Ups

Targets: rectus abdominus

Brace yourself between the backrests of two sturdy chairs, keep the elbows slightly bent, your shoulders should remain down, and the neck relaxed, while the head and the chest are elevated.

Your abs should be tight, breathe in and slowly bring the knees to your chest, but avoid swinging back and forth. If you find it a bit difficult at the beginning, you can raise one knee at a time. Repeat in 3 sets of 15 reps.

Also here are 5 extra exercises that will help you burn your abdominal fat but of course don’t forget to do cardio exercise at least 3 times per week:

Medicine Ball Swing

Targets: Obliques, abs

You should stand and the legs should be a bit more than shoulder-width apart. Bend the knees a bit and hold a ball in the hands. You should squat, and swing the ball between the legs behind you, and immediately stand and swing it up in front of you and overhead. Repeat it 20 times.

Abdominal Hold

Targets: abs

You should sit tall on the edge of a chair and put the hands on the edge with the fingers pointing toward the knees. Contract the abs and bring the toes 2 to 4 inches off the floor. Lift the buttock off the chair. Remain in this position for 5-10 seconds. Then, lower and repeat for a minute.

The Hundred

Targets: lower abs

While sitting tall on a mat, bend the knees by the chest and the hands should be placed at the sides. Then, lie down and bend the knees, and the palms should be faced down. Breathe in and lift the head and shoulders.

Start pumping the arms 6 inches up and down, reaching with the fingertips. Breathe in for 5 pumps, and breathe out for 5 more. Do 100 pumps. Your lower back should be pressed in towards the ground and the lower belly muscles pulled in towards the spine.

Squat Thrust with Twist

You should stand with the feet wide open, and the arms at shoulder height, in front of you. Starts squatting down, bend the knees 90 degrees, and twist your upper body to the left. Then, switch the side and repeat.

The Cobra

Lie with the face down and the palms near the chest, and raise the head, chest and shoulders off the ground, while pulling the shoulder blades down. Remain thus for 2 seconds and then lower and repeat 8-10 times.

Even though it is the latest trend, a gym membership does not guarantee a shaped and strong body and weight loss, since what you actually need to achieve these goals is motivation, determination, and time.

Therefore, you do not need to hit the gym in order to work on your body, as you can exercise regularly in the commodity of your home and still get fascinating effects.

The following 10-week challenge will help you reshape the body and finally get the body of your dreams.

Before you start with it, consider the following tips:

• You need to drink plenty of water to ensure that your body is always properly hydrated
• Pick the most appropriate time to exercise during the day, and experts recommend choosing the mornings
• Promise yourself that you will remain consistent and you will perform the exercise routine as explained below

Here is the 10-Week workout plan:

Monday

Every Monday during these 10 weeks, you will need to perform:

–25 crunches, 35 jumping jacks, 15 lunges, 20 squats, 5 push-ups, planks for 15 seconds, wall-sits for 25 seconds, 10 sit-ups, and 10 butt-kicks.

Tuesday

On Tuesdays, do the same exercises, but change the number of repetitions:

-20 crunches, 10 jumping jacks, 25 lunges, 10 squats, 10 push-ups, planks for 30 seconds, wall-sits for 25 seconds, 35 sit-ups, and 20 butt-kicks.

Wednesday

You will need to boost the intensity:

— 30 crunches, 50 jumping jacks, 25 lunges, 15 squats, 10 push-ups, planks for 40 seconds, wall-sits for 35 seconds, 30 sit-ups, and 25 butt-kicks.

Thursday

You will start burning more and more calories:

-20 crunches, 25 jumping jacks, 15 lunges, 35 squats, 20 push-ups, planks for 30 seconds, wall-sits for 60 seconds, 50 sit-ups, and 35 butt-kicks.

Friday

You need to remain dedicated to your aim and continue with the challenge:

-30 crunches, 55 jumping jacks, 60 lunges, 25 squats, 30 push-ups, planks for 60 seconds, wall-sits for 25 seconds, 40 sit-ups, and 50 butt-kicks.

During the weekend, you should rest the body after 5 days of intensive training. Yet, you can still go walking or jogging.

If you want to boost the effects of this challenge, you can combine it with cardio training during the weekend, as follows:

• 1st week- 30 seconds of sprint (30 sec. jog/5x);
• 2nd week-35 seconds of sprint (45sec. jog/6x);
• 3rd week- 45 seconds of sprint (1 min. jog/7x);
• 4th week-50 seconds of sprint (45sec. jog/8x);
• 5th week-55 seconds of sprint (30 sec. jog/7x);
• 6th week -1 minute of sprint (45 sec. jog/6x);
• 7th week- 65 seconds of sprint (1 min. jog/5x);
• 8th week- 70 seconds of sprint (45 sec. jog/6x);
• 9th week- 75 seconds of sprint (30 sec. jog/7x); and
• 10th week- 80 seconds of sprint (45 sec. jog/8x).

This workout will take about 45-60 minutes of your time daily.

The duration of the workout you need depends on your weight and the amount of weight you want to lose, but make sure you practise at least three hours a week to get satisfying effects.

Furthermore, making some beneficial dietary changes will also accelerate the process of weight loss and reshaping your body. Jon Denoris, a performance coach, recommends “nutrient timing”, which is eating the right food at the right time of day.

He says that one should consume unprocessed, whole foods as often as possible. If you are trying to lose weight, your diet should be rich in high-quality meat and fish; lots of vegetables, essential fats like avocados, nuts and coconut oil; and whole foods such as brown rice and quinoa, which have a lower GI rating.  Protein like meat, fish or eggs regulates metabolism and satisfies the appetite, so it will also lead to fewer junk food cravings. 

On the other hand, he suggests staying away from labeled foods, whose ingredients are difficult to pronounce.  Additionally, one of the biggest mistakes one can make is to ditch the healthy eating plan before the results are visible.

You should surround yourself with people that support you and your aims, and they can even join you in your healthy dietary regime and workout routine.  And remember, motivation is the most important thing, and from the moment you notice the first results, you are on a good way to get in great shape soon!

Losing weight can be highly challenging, and the entire process requires strong will and determination, as many people quit within the first few weeks.

Dieting can be hard, but it is possible, and as soon as one notices visible results, it just gets easier. However, aggressive diets are not a good option, as they can harm health and lead to yo-yo effects.

Therefore, it is much better to go step by step and gradually achieve your goals.  Keely Dellit, a mother of three, took a baby-step approach and managed to get the body of her dreams. In only 14 months, she lost  125 pounds!

She did not rely on slimming pills or teas, or any other faster way to get in shape. Instead, she was patient and decided to enjoy the long journey but lose weight in a healthy way.

Since her teenage years, she has been working in a fast-food restaurant, so she started gaining weight, and her pregnancies contributed to her weight, which was almost 280lbs.

After giving birth to her third child, and she stepped on the scale, she weighed 278 pounds, and at this point, she knew that she had to do something in order to restore her healthy body.

Her plan involved healthy wholesome eating and daily exercise. She decided to make one tiny change per week, which helped her ease into a healthier lifestyle.

Initially, she decided to cut out all kinds of fast food and treats. Then, she chose smaller portions. As the weeks passed, she gradually made slightly healthier substitutions (for instance, she ate grilled chicken instead of crispy chicken.)

She started taking smaller portions of meals, and eventually gave up on fries, drank sparkling water instead of juice and soda, and replaced white with brown rice. Next, she consumed plant-based milks instead of dairy, ate at home instead of ordering takeout, and she gradually completely transformed her diet, that was now completely healthy, and very low in carbs.

She also drank a lot of water.

Here is an example of her daily menu:

• Breakfast: Two scrambled eggs and a small bowl of oatmeal with berries.
• Lunch: Grilled chicken or tuna and a large salad (lettuce, avocado, cucumber, carrots, peppers)
• Dinner: Steamed fish with cooked veggies.
• Snack: Protein bars, carrots sticks or natural kinds of peanut butter.

Additionally, she says that she did not follow a specific exercise plan for the first 6 months, she just went walking or did some workouts she found on YouTube. Afterward, as she strengthened her body, she joined a boot camp class. She loved the boot camp sessions and eventually became a certified personal trainer.

In only 14 months, she lost 125 pounds, and it was possible only because she made her weight loss goal her priority.

She admitted facing numerous difficulties during the way, as she felt she was missing out a lot every time she had to say NO to delicious things like pizza or cupcakes, and she still struggles with these feelings.

She says that she needs to remain mindful of her food choices every single day, in order to improve. Yet, she adds that she also found her passion, health, and fitness, and she is now able to help others who are going through similar struggles.

She advises people to start slow, and focus on all the little successes they experience along the day.

What do you see: a rabbit? or a duck?

More than 100 years after it was first sketched, the drawing has sparked a huge reaction after being shared on social media.

Some see a rabbit and others will see a duck – but are you able to see both alternatively?

What you see (and how fast you see it) could indicate how quickly your brain works – and how creative you are.

The duck-rabbit drawing was first used by American psychologist Joseph Jastrow in 1899 to make the point that perception is not only what one sees but also a mental activity.

Mr Jastrow’s research was based on how quickly one can see the second animal and how fast participants could change their perception of the drawing to switch between the two animals.

The faster you can do this, the quicker your brain works and the more creative you are, the research suggested.

At different times during the year, the results of the test seem to change.

During the Easter period, people are more likely to see a rabbit first but in October, seeing the duck first is more common.

The images was first published anonymously in a German magazine called Fliegende Blätter, with the caption “Which animals are most like each other?”.