5 healthy lunches for kids

Lunches they’ll love
Finding lunch ideas for your kids can be difficult, but with our meal inspiration you can make sure your kids are well fed and enjoy a healthy diet.

Bean burgers
If you want to serve a healthy lunch for your child you wouldn’t normally consider giving them a burger. A bean burger though has lots of useful nutrients. Add butter beans, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, an egg, a little flour and some low fat cheese to a blender. Once the ingredients are mixed, take the mixture and make burgers. Pop in the oven and bake until ready.  You can serve with your child’s favourite sauce and add burger buns if you want. As a dessert pack them a fruit salad with a honey and natural yoghurt topping.

Star pizzas

Most pizzas are high in all the things you don’t want your child to be eating, but if you make them yourself your child can still enjoy a tasty pizza. Most of us don’t have the time to make our own pastry though. You can buy relatively cheap puff pastry from most stores. Roll out your puff pastry and use a cutter to make the star bases.  Top the pastry with tomato puree. Add chopped onions, red peppers and feta cheese. Bake in the oven according to the pastry instructions. For dessert pack up some yoghurt covered raisins and a clementine.

Finger food

Kids love to eat with their fingers. Buy a few Tupperware boxes, or a lunch box that contains different compartments, and fill each with a different finger food. They could start with breadsticks or crackers. Spread these with low-fat soft cheese and add a cheddar stick too. Put sliced peppers or carrots in another box with some cold peas. In another compartment you could place a hard-boiled egg. Fordessert pop in some purple and green grapes with some chopped up flapjack. This is a fun and visually appealing lunch that your child will love.

Turkey pita

A turkey pita can be a cost-effective and healthy packed lunch for your child. Make sure you buy wholemeal pitas though as these are much less processed. Spread some low-fat mayonnaise inside and add some lettuce leaves or spinach leaves. To make it a little bit different pop in some raisins too. Then slice the cooked turkey breast and layer it within the pita. For dessert your child can have a slice of banana cake and an apple. If your child prefers their apple chopped you can keep it fresh by preserving it in lemon juice and wrapping it in a paper towel.

Smiley sandwiches

A sandwich is a filling lunch, but it can be dull. To make a sandwich more exciting use a shape cutter on the bread. If you lightly toast the bread beforehand the cutter will be easier to use. A train, a car or a smiley face shape are popular and fun shapes. There are a lot of great sandwich fillings, but some of the healthiest and most filling ones are egg and cress, cream cheese, salmon and cucumber, or avocado and chicken. To accompany a sandwich include some cherry tomatoes and a toothpick. For a sweet, pack a yoghurt and some dried apricots.

Three top end smartphones head to head

Holiday season is gone and has left slew of new phones behind.

Often friends call me up and throw the question which phone to buy? My standard answer is what you need your phone for. If it’s for apps and fun look at iPhone and Android powerhouses if it hardcore business and emails than don’t shy away from a Blackberry. So when it comes to fun and apps there are few very good phones in the top bracket and I decided to put up a short review on these three for all of you.

The iPhone 4S needs no introduction. A minor upgrade to widely successful iPhone4 this beast comes loaded with voice witchcraft known as “Siri”, don’t forget that 8MP camera and brutally rapid A5 processor.

 Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the latest Google flagship phone and it's running the very latest version of Android -- Ice Cream Sandwich. Add to that a massive 4.65-inch screen with a blisteringly high resolution, and this is looking like a scorcher.

Now the underdog – Motorola Razr coming from the makers of the original super-thin must-have handset, this phone wants to amaze you with its processing power and incredibly slim frame. But it takes a lot to impress me - is the Razr sharp enough to steal our hearts?

Design – iPhone 4S takes its handsome looks from the version 4, glass in the front and out the back with a chic metal loop surrounding it, the 4S looks a model minimalistic phone. Galaxy Nexus sadly does not provide any thrill in design nor is it an ugly duckling, - average. 7.1 mm thick mostly, Motorola RAZR has a Kevlar back cover and easily wins my vote for design.

Hardware - All three are beasts, make no mistake here. While Razr has beautiful super AMOLED screen, 8 mp camera which records video at 1080 pi a I.2 GH processor and 1GB RAM making it truly fast yet unable to catch up with the A5 processor of iPhone 4S mixed with a very good 8mp camera which too takes 1080 pi videos. Screen on iPhone in one word is “crystal clear’ and that retina display can blow your mind away, as long as you don’t look at Galaxy Nexus. It has an unbelievably promising screen, thanks to a 720x1,280 (yup, that's proper HD) resolution display, and a 100,000:1 contrast ratio. Massive, and with a staggering resolution games and movies are a pleasure. So despite a 5 MP camera Galaxy Nexus wins the vote.

 

Software – This is where all three take different routes. Motorola Razr comes with some cool Motorola apps, including one called Smart Actions that lets you program new instructions for your phone using a tiled interface. It's impressively flexible -- for example, you could set your Razr to open the music app when you plugged in your headphones, or turn off Bluetooth and GPS when your phone isn't plugged into its charger. Apart from these few things RAZR comes loaded with Android Gingerbread not the latest Ice Cream Sandwich – that honor lies with Galaxy Nexus. Nexus offers an interface overhaul, a new multi-tasking system and a host of other treats, such as the ability to unlock your phone using your face (by letting it identify you using its camera, not by hitting your head against the screen). All is good and merry but no one beats I OS5 on iPhone because of continuous improvement and that big pile of apps which make all the difference.

To conclude personally I will go for Samsung Galaxy nexus as it over all seems to win the battle, iPhone comes close but I am no Apple lover and on top of that Android Ice Cream sandwich along with Nexus’s hardware seems to be a proper treat

5 apps to improve your sex life

 

Icondom by TeeDeeDam

Imagine this: you’re back at your place and you’ve pulled. Things are going well and it looks like you’re going to go all the way. Then the nightmare begins – no condoms. In times of old, this situation would have meant an embarrassing end to the evening and no action. Thanks to iCondom though these awkward moments can be side stepped.  iCondom is a new app that tells you where the nearest condom outlet is. You can find out if the shop is open or, if you’ve found a condom vending machine, you can find out if that machine is in working order.

CarmaSutra by Kodexo

Want to shake things up, but not sure how? Always on the go and want more action? Then CarmaSutra Sex Positions may be the perfect app for you. Kodexo have taken the Karma Sutra concept and changed it into a guide on getting it on in your car. It provides you with pictures and descriptions of sex positions you can practise on you backseat, on your front seat or in some other more adventurous spots.   If you don’t have a car then Kodexo have thought of your needs too, as the app also includes motorcycle sex positions.

Wingman by PeacedOut

Every single guy or girl needs a wingman, but sometimes obstacles and other mishaps get in the way. This is where Wingman comes into its element. It provides you with a whole host of functions. If you need a chat-up line then the Wingman app has 200 to choose from. Or if you’ve spotted someone, but only fancy a one night fling with them, the Wingman app will create a whole new identity for you. It has a Self Call function too, which will save you from the grips of someone you don’t want to pursue, plus a bar and cab finder. Who needs friends?

Spice Dice by Durex

If sex has become boring and predictable download the cheeky Spice Dice app. Put simply, this app is a virtual sex dice. You can shake the virtual dice for sex positions, romantic gestures, and tips. Unlike the normal sex dice though, this app comes with full illustrations and instructions, as well as some great information on condoms and lubes. Another perk to the Spice Dice app is that it provides you with great tips that will make sure you and your partner get the most pleasure out of sex possible. 

Sexulator by Coconut Island Apps

Ever wondered how long it has been since you last had sex? Ever wanted to know how long you have ever gone without any action? The Sexulator is a useful tool that will help you log all of your sexual encounters. The app enables you to log when you have sex, when you kiss, have oral or have a mixed event.  Although this sounds simple, if both you and your partner log the amount of times you do it, you will probably end up getting more. Noticing how little you are doing it is the best prompt and will help you address any sex issues if you have any.

Canada Clicks

A spellbinding view of the Deer Valley Golf and Estates in Canada's Saskatchewan province.

A couple takes a stroll through the Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.

View of a golf course in Alberta's capital city, Edmonton.

A Polar bear looks on by the shore in Canada's town, Churchill of Manitoba province.

Take a breath-taking look at the Gros Morne National Park located in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A group of horseback riders enjoy the view along the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatchewan.

Cyclists ride through the famous Icefields Parkway in Alberta.

Kermode bear - also called spirit bear - walks along a fallen tree in river on Princess Royal Island. 

A man looks at the Kinuseo Falls in awe. Kinuseo Falls are located in the Northern Rockies in British Columbia.

Churchill is famous for its Polar Bear population and is known as the 'Polar Bear Capital of the World'.

3 foods all men should eat

A varied, balanced diet is the cornerstone of healthy living for everyone, yet healthy eating can sometimes mean different things depending on your gender. 

While there are some foods we should all be eating more of, men and women also have their own set of dietary requirements as well as their own unique health concerns. Here are three foods all men should eat.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are possibly one of the best "superfoods" around, and the popular fruit has particular benefits for men. Studies have suggested that the lycopene found in tomatoes may reduce risk ofcolorectal cancer, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease; the leading cause of death in men. Research has also shown that men who frequently eat foods rich in lycopene may drastically reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer.

Broccoli

Broccoli - along with other cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and sprouts - contains a strong cancer-fighting chemical, sulphoraphane, which research has suggested may reduce men's risk of developing bladder cancer (a cancer more commonly affecting women than men), prostate cancer andcolorectal cancer.

Oysters

Oysters are the highest natural source of zinc; an essential requirement for men's fertility and sexual health. Zinc not only helps to maintain healthy testosterone levels in men, but it is essential for healthy sperm production.  On top of this, zinc deficiency may be responsible for hair loss in men, so an increased intake may benefit men's appearance as well as health. 

15 Small Diet Changes for Big Weight Loss

Make 2012 the year you ditch the diets and start living in a healthy way. Try any one of these small, expert-approved tips for big (and healthy) changes.

Drink water with lemon to rev up your metabolism.

1. Jackie Warner: Drink water with lemon: You already know drinking water is good for your overall health, but fitness expert, celebrity trainer, and star of "Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start" Jackie Warner has a tip to take it up a notch in the weight-loss department. She recommends drinking 3 liters of water with lemon each and every day. 

"Adding the lemon helps to detoxify the liver and metabolizes fat, so this can speed up metabolism by about 33 percent," Warner says. "That burns about 100 extra calories per day!" 

Listen to your hunger.

2. Kathy Smith: Listen to your hunger:Even if you can't fully change your diet for the better, one simple way to lose weight is to eat just a little less. And the easiest way to do that is by listening to your hunger. Kathy Smith, creator of the "Ageless with Kathy Smith" DVD line, says to eat slowly, savor every bite, and pay attention to when you begin to feel full-otherwise you can consume more calories than your body needs at each meal. 

"When you get the signal that you've had enough, sprinkle salt on the rest of your plate to avoid nibbling on the leftovers, " Smith says. "Those little bits of calories can add up quickly over the week." 

Don't buy diet food.

3. Jennifer Cohen: Don't buy diet food:Jennifer Cohen, Weight Watchers' spokeswoman and author of No Gym Required, warns to not just choose foods because they're marketed as "good for weight loss." Instead, choose what foods you're going to eat based on their nutritional value and health benefits. By eating healthy foods that are rich in nutrients, you're sure to lose weight pretty effortlessly. 

"Before you plan a shopping trip or order out, look up the nutritional value of the foods you're considering and ask yourself if your list matches up with your needs and goals," Cohen says. 



RELATED: 9 Ways Pinterest Can Improve Your Diet 

Eat a salad for lunch every day.

4. Mandy Ingber: Eat a Salad Every Day:Can losing weight be as simple as eating a salad for lunch every day? Mandy Ingber, the creator of Yogalosophy and celebrity yoga instructor toJennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale, Ricki Lake, Brooke Shields, and Helen Hunt, thinks so. 

"Replace your lunchtime meal with a large salad loaded with healthy greens," Ingber says. "If you are a meat-eater, add some lean protein. Load your salad with avocado, nuts, and all sorts of veggies that add color to your meal." 

Eat on a schedule.

5. Nicole Nichols: Eat more regularly: In order to lose weight, you should never let yourself get too hungry, says Nicole Nichols, fitness expert and editor for SparkPeople.com, who was recently named America's "Top Personal Trainer to Watch" by ACE and Life Fitness. In fact, waiting too long between meals can encourage overeating later. 

"So plan for one to two snacks a day as needed, and you'll likely eat less and avoid binges later," Nichols says. 

Start juicing...drinking vegetable juice, that is!

6. Tara Stiles: Start juicing: And by juicing, we mean drinking fresh vegetable juice! Tara Stiles, the founder and owner of Strala yoga studio, personal yoga instructor to Deepak Chopra, and author of the best-selling bookSlim Calm Sexy Yoga, says that juicing is the best thing she ever did for her health. 

"Cucumber, kale, carrot, ginger...it is so good for you, gives you so much energy, and actually tastes good!" Stiles says. "The coolest side effect is that I stopped craving sugar and salts! Just like that, without trying. Amazing!" 

Always carry almonds with you.

7. Kristin McGee: Always keep almonds on hand: We all know what it's like to be out on-the-go, totally hungry with no healthy options in sight. That's why Kristin McGee, a celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor whose clients include Tina Fey, Steve Martin,Christine Taylor Stiller, LeAnn Rimes, and Bethenny Frankel, recommends packing an Altoids-sized container of raw almonds with you at all times. A small portion of any raw nut helps to keep your blood sugar stable. 

"The perfect portion size of about 22 almonds, 15 cashews, or eight walnut halves will fit in one, and studies have proven that people who eat nuts weigh less and eat less overall," McGee says. "The belly-slimming monounsaturated fats are excellent, and each type of nut has great benefits-walnuts have omega-3s and almonds are high in vitamin E. Plus, a little Altoids tin can fit in a purse pocket anywhere, so there's no excuse!" 

Add psyllium and flaxseed into your diet.

8. Jari Love: Add psyllium and flaxseed to your diet: Very rarely do you get advice to add to your diet, but that's exactly what star of the new "Get Extremely Ripped: Revved to the Max" DVD, Jari Love's easy diet secret is. She swears by psyllium seed husks, which are high in belly-filling fiber, and flaxseeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, for helping her stay at a healthy weight. 

"Take your psyllium husks and flaxseeds, put them both into a Ziploc bag, and shake it up," Love says. "Keep this mixture in the fridge and add a tablespoon to each protein shake you drink throughout the day. This will help to keep you regular and give you those extra nutrients you need." 

Add protein to every meal.

9. Andrea Metcalf: Add protein to every meal: Whether it's meat or a vegetarian protein like tofu or beans, Andrea Metcalf, a healthy lifestyle expert and author of Naked Fitness: The Proven 28 Day Weight Loss Program for a Slimmer, Fitter, Pain-Free Body, says that protein at every meal is a must for keeping away those hunger pangs. "Eat protein with each meal to stave off cravings," she says. 

Drink alcohol sitting down.

10. Fit Chef Katy Clark: Don't drink alcohol standing up: Here's a simple rule to follow whenever you're at a party or a happy hour: don't stand and sip! That's the advice ofFit Chef Katy Clark from season 7 of Food Network Star. Calories really add up when you're drinking alcohol, so be extra mindful of each drink, she says. 

"I found that I grab a drink because that is the expected party behavior, and I use my drink as a buffer and will just take sips to look busy, even though I'm not really enjoying it," she says. "Instead, I drink cocktails and wine during great sit-down, relaxed moments. And at the party, I stand with bubbly water or nothing in my hand so that I can give out better hugs!" 

Watch out for carb serving sizes.

11. Linda LaRue: Watch your carb serving sizes: While carbohydrates are great for energy, it's easy to eat way too many if you're paying attention. Fitness expert and creator of the total-body core training systemThe Core Transformer Linda LaRuerecommends to keep portions in check-especially when you're eating out. 

"Remember that a recommended carbohydrate serving-such as pasta, pizza, bread, or rice-is 1/3 to 1/2 cup. That's the size of a golf ball or mouse," she says. "Most restaurants give you three cups of pasta. That's the equivalent of six carb servings!" 

Choose Greek yogurt over other types of yogurt.

12. John Dull and Michele Collier: Choose Greek Yogurt: Everyone thinks of yogurt as a pretty healthy snack choice, but all yogurts are not created equal, say the creators of the "Supreme 90 Day" system John Dull and Michele Collier. In fact, many yogurts-including low-fat varieties-are loaded with sugar. 

"A better choice is Greek-style yogurt," they say. "They have more protein per serving and very little sugar. Try adding fresh fruit for an added treat!" 

Skip the mayo and choose mustard instead.

13. Dr. Lynn: Swap mustard for mayo:Swapping mustard for mayo is a no-brainer. But using spicy mustard is even better, says Dr. Lynn Anderson. This is because hot spicy mustard amps up the metabolism by creating a heat effect in the body, she says. 

"To increase metabolism and curb appetite, drink a glass of water mixed with a tablespoon of hot spicy mustard just before dinner. Not only will you increase your metabolism, but mustard seeds are a good source of antioxidants and omega-3s!" 

Ditch the sugary drinks for good.

14. Fred DeVito: Ditch sugary drinks and sodas: Fred DeVito, co-creator of the "Exhale: Core Fusion" DVD series recommends ditching sugary drinks of all kinds-including regular sodas, diet sodas, and high-calorie coffee drinks. 

"Eliminate sugary drinks and diet soda, which can trigger your craving for sweets," he says. "These beverages are loaded with unwanted calories." 

Experiment with new recipes.

15. Lisa Hubbard: Try new recipes: Who said healthy eating has to be boring or bland? Lisa Hubbard, star of the "Element: Total Body Pilates with Mini Ball" kit, recommends firing up your creative juices in the kitchen by investing in a new cookbook and trying new healthy recipes! 

"Pick-up a new cookbook and experiment," Hubbard recommends. "Gear towards weight-loss types of recipes."