Grab your nuts for FAT LOSS!

NUTS!!


Yes they are good for you and yes they can help you lose fat!!
Here are 5 things you need to know about Macadamia nuts!
By the way, I've just added them to my list of Super-foods!
Keep your eyes peeled as I will be revealing my 'Super-food' list very soon...
1. Go Nuts
2. Palmitoleic Acid
3. Vitamin E and Thiamin
4. Omega-3
5. Cooking With Macadamia Nut Oil

Nuts are a healthy addition to any balanced diet. They are a great high-protein, calorically-dense snack rich in vitamins, minerals, flavanoids and other important nutrients. And macadamia nuts are no exception! Yes, these sweet, creamy, crunchy, luxuriously delicious nuts, more often thought of as a high-fat indulgence rather than a health food, are in fact healthier than you might think. Although they are high in fat, nearly 80 percent of it is monounsaturated fat--the "good" kind of fat that lowers your overall cholesterol and your LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and raises your HDL ("good") cholesterol. All nuts, including macadamia nuts, are naturally cholesterol-free and are great sources of fiber. Macadamia nuts also contain vitamin A, thiamine, vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin and iron.

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Macadamia nuts are one of the very few plants that contain palmitoleic acid, also known as omega 7, a monounsaturated fatty acid that works to lower your cholesterol, reducing your risk of heart disease. Some studies have also suggested that palmitoleic acid may also effect your body's metabolism, curbing your appetite and helping you burn fat faster--which means that those high-fat macadamia nuts could be an all-natural diet food! Palmitoleic acid is also important for skin health--macadamia nut oil is an excellent addition to lotions and skin creams--and helps keep your cells functioning properly.

Macadamia nuts are an excellent source of thiamin, also known as vitamin B1--1 cup of macadamia nuts provides over 100 percent of your daily thiamin requirement! Thiamin is necessary for converting carbohydrates into energy and for maintaining the health of the nervous system. Macadamia nuts are also a good source for riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3) and vitamin B6. Macadamia nuts also contain vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Vitamin E also helps heal wounds and may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease.

Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid with a wide range of benefits. Regular consumption of omega-3s will help lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis and will help prevent or reduce the severity of arthritis, menstrual cramps and migraine headaches. Omega-3s are also essential for a healthy nervous system, and may help relieve depression. Macadamia nuts are a tasty source of omega-3 fatty acids. Macadamia nuts also have a healthy 6:1 ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids--scientists generally recommend a ratio somewhere between 1:1 and 10:1.

Macadamia nut oil, sometimes called mac nut oil, is the hottest new cooking oil--literally! With a very high smoking point, macadamia nut oil is ideal for high-heat cooking, and its high percentage of monounsaturated fats make it a health healthy choice, on par with olive oil or canola oil. Macadamia nut oil can also be used in place of other oils or butter in baking.

So there you have it people, for a tasty, healthy snack that packs a punch full of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, not to mention the super macro-nutrient that is Protein, go and grab some nuts! 

Keep your eyes peeled as I will be revealing my 'Super-food' list very soon...

All the best

Matt Smith

PS for better posture and a flatter stomach, squeeze your bum and pull your shoulder blades together. Really? yeah, just stand up and give it a go.. See, I told you :) 

The above belongs to: http://www.livestrong.com/article/4700-need-health-benefits-macadamia-nuts/#ixzz2NKlXSKTF

Alcohol, Death and lots of Money!

Alcohol, Death and lots of Money!

My great uncle passed away recently. (Bet not many blog posts start like that but it gets better, I promise!)

On Friday just gone (22nd February) I attended the first of his two funerals.

This was a small affair where only his immediate family were invited.

As we pulled up to the secluded crematorium in the heart of England, snow began to fall.

(Read into that what you will, but being extremely open minded, I will take it as more than just a coincidence.)

First, his coffin was taken in, followed by his Son, Dughter, Son-in-law and grand kids, then my mom, sister, my other half, and finally, me. A few others filed in behind.

The proceedings started and then 15 minutes or so into the service, something happened.

As the vicar proceeded to talk about my Uncle George's wonderful, well travelled, spritely 80 years on the planet that saw him start work at the same company he retired from, most people started to cry.

I'll proudly admit I shed a tear also, especially at the part where the Vicar told how Uncle George would ofen take his grandkids for a ride on his tractor (his grandson was sat directly in front of me being comforted by his dad)

She continued to talk about how he was a man of the community, always helping others, doing charity work, and living a completely selfless life.

He worked hard and for that, I assume, he earned lots of money, but I can guarantee, it was never about the money, I'm certain it was about DOING the things he loved, WITH the people he loved and FOR the people he loved.

It was at this point I said to myself: "One day that'll be you in a box, with your friends and family gathered to pay their last respects to you".

"So?" I hear you ask, "One day we'll all be in a box".

Exactly! And do you know the best thing about it?

You have the opportunity right now to decide what is said about you!

You are alive! Which means you can write your very own story RIGHT NOW!

Imagine you are up there, in the coffin and a vicar is reading your story to your friends, your family, your colleagues etc.

What would you want them to say?

Take a look at your life, is it full of laziness, alcohol, aggression towards others, anger, resentment, jealousy, negative reactions to situations, procrastination and hate.

OR

Is it full of hard work, pro-activeness, happiness, helping others, giving back to the community, a positive attitude, a mind set that no matter what happens you know you'll make it, goals, achievements, determination, friendliness, a willingness to learn and be successful and most importantly, LOVE.

I imagine there's a few narrow minded people out there will be saying: "I'll be dead so what does it matter?"

To that, the only thing I will say is:

How far has that mind set got them? I can't imagine very far nor with many friends. I wish those people good luck for the rest of their life, why? Because they'll need it.

To the rest of you:

I challenge you to get up, get out there and live the best life you possibly can! Why? Because you deserve it!

Life is short.

Always give 100% and I promise,  it WILL pay you back.

It was written somewhere once: ''As you sow, you shall reap''.

Life is one big adventure, you only get one (that we know of) so make it as prosperous, enjoyable and as happy as you can.

Matt.

P.s Not many will, but to you who do, let me know how you've changed yours or someone else's life for the better by leaving a comment below or posting on my fb wall by clicking here.

Another way to burn fat, maybe?

On your mission to lose some, or maybe a lot of, body fat, you will no doubt of heard countless ways in which to do it. (I've mentioned 5 of my top ways here). Now you may or may not have heard people say the following.. ''The best way to burn fat is to exercise on an empty stomach''. A lot of bodybuilders and fitness models use this strategy (along with lifting heavy and following a very strict diet plan) but are they doing themselves out of better results? I came across this great article on bodybuilding.com that goes into a bit more detail about the method in question so instead of me rambling on about it just click here and read it for yourself.

How to run as fast as Usain Bolt!

In 2009, Usain Bolt set a new 100m world record of 9.58 seconds. After spending countless hours studying Bolt, observing his technique, his demeanor, his nutrition, his clothing and even his genes, I have come up with the ''top 5 must haves'' if you want to run as fast as the living Legend himself.

Must have number 1. You need to be black and you need to be a man. Why? Well, the first person genetically of European origin to run under 10 seconds was Christophe Lemaître who ran 9.98sec at the French national championships in 2012. So unless you are of African origin you can pretty much stop reading now. Oh and the fastest woman to cover the distance was Florence Griffith-Joyner in 10.49 so sorry ladies, that pretty much rules you out too.

Must have number 2. You need to be able to cover 100m in the same (or less) amount of strides as Bolt did when he crossed the line in 9.58secs, which was 41. The average amount of strides taken by most pro athletes is 44. So go outside, measure out 100m and again, if you can't cover that distance in less than 45 paces... Stop reading.

Must have number 3. Eat healthy but with a few treats along the way. In an interview with FHM magazine, Bolt says his diet consists of six meals. His diet ratio consists of 60% protein, 30% carbs and 10% fats. For breakfast, Bolt prefers Jamaican dumplings (flour, water, butter and milk) and yams. For lunch, Bolt eats either tuna or snapper for additional protein with wholewheat bread and brown rice. For dinner, he sticks with either chicken, pork or beef mixed with brown rice. Every now and again the big man will have a binge, usually on fried chicken. Still reading? Great, you're doing well, onto the next one.. 

Must have number 4. Be less than 30 years old. This, so studies say, is the age in which your body will start to decline in its strength, muscle mass and all round fitness levels. Under 30? then continue to the final ''must have'' and you could be on your way to the gold medal and a new world record!

Must have number 5. Firstly, before I tell you what the final piece to your new found speed puzzle is, I want to congratulate you on getting this far. OK, here goes, the final, and most important Must have you've been waiting for is...................   Be called Usain Bolt. Why? Because Usain Bolt is the only person to have ever, in the history of mankind, to run 100m in 9.58 seconds. Watch that here. 


You see, as a race, us humans are designed as individuals. No matter how hard you try, you will never, ever, ever, ever find someone else who is exactly like you, that is because YOU ARE UNIQUE. Bolt is unique, David Beckham is unique, Richard Branson is unique and even George W Bush is unique (Thank the lord). 

You came to this post in the hope of imitating someone else. Do you think all the aforementioned people want to imitate someone else? Of course not. Yes they may have had idols at one point in their lifes, but they are still individuals who have done, or are doing, something they love and are loving what they do.

Usain Bolt is a very talented and extremely gifted individual with near perfect genes for his calling in life. He also loves what he does and does what he loves. That is why he is so annoyingly good at it. Are you doing what you love and love what you do? If not, why not? 

Life isn't about trying to be someone else, life is about being you. Why would you want to be anything else? Yes have an idol, we all have idols, but instead of searching how to be like someone else, search how to be you instead. 

If you're not enjoying what you're doing, then you're wasting your very precious time on this wonderful planet. 

For me, life is this.... Either, wake up in the morning, go to bed at night and in between do what you want to do, within reason and within the confines of the law. (recommended) OR Wake up in the morning, go to bed at night and in between do what you need to do to be able to do what you want to do, again within reason and in the confines of the law. Not - wake up in the morning go to bed at night and in between do what others want you  to do or say you should do.

YOLO.