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If your family’s decedents hailed from Asia, you were most likely served a form of rice water, called hsi-fan or congee, for breakfast or as a healing tonic to revive your energy. While cooked rice water has the rice removed and traditional congee uses a small amount of rice cooked in a large amount of water, both versions are thought to be medicinal nourishment as well as a weight-loss tool, according to “The Book of Jook: Chinese Medicinal Porridges: A Healthy Alternative to Western Breakfasts,” by acupuncturist and expert in Chinese medicines Bob Flaws....

A small bowl of coconut shavings. Image Credit: etienne voss/iStock/Getty Images A number of world cuisines, including Jamaican, Filipino, Indonesian and Indian, incorporate coconut into savory dishes as well as sweet desserts. In Thailand, which has the lowest cancer rate of all 50 countries surveyed by the National Cancer Institute, some form of coconut appears in almost every dish. More commonly known as dried or desiccated, dehydrated coconut is unsweetened and typically available in shredded or flaked form....

Woman doing shoulder flys with weights at the beach. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Your shoulder joints are held together and controlled by ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones. Ligaments are responsible for connecting bone to bone, so in the shoulders they attach your upper arm bone to your clavicle and scapula. Because they’re not connected to muscles, they cannot be strengthened themselves. However, you can improve stability and protect the ligaments by incorporating exercises that strengthen the muscles surrounding your shoulder joints....

Constantly wearing high heels can affect your Achilles tendon. Image Credit: curtoicurto/iStock/Getty Images Your Achilles tendon anchors your calf muscles to the back of your heel bone, and its movement is what allows you to point your toes and otherwise move your foot for walking and running. If your tendon shrinks it can cause ongoing pain just above your heel whenever you put weight on your foot. This is common among women who frequently wear shoes with heels higher than 2 inches....

You can use peppermint oil as a peppermint extract substitute in baking. Image Credit: kazmulka/iStock/GettyImages Peppermint extract is a staple for minty recipes like candy cane chocolate bark, peppermint hot chocolate and mint milkshakes. After all, peppermint can be soothing and comforting (hello, mint tea). Advertisement If you don't have fresh mint leaves on hand, peppermint extract will come in handy. But, for times you don't have either, you may wonder if you can substitute peppermint oil....

Fiber powders can be mixed with most drinks, even water, and are usually tasteless. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Being constipated may be uncomfortable and even painful, but there are ways to help get your bowels back on a regular schedule. Constipation is defined as having less than three bowel movements a week, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. It is usually a symptom of something else, like poor diet, and may happen after childbirth or surgery, says NDDIC....

Gentle stretching can help relieve pain from a pulled quad. Image Credit: iprogressman/iStock/GettyImages A pulled muscle is no fun. Unfortunately, it’s very common, and most athletes or fitness enthusiasts will experience one at some point. Advertisement If you've pulled your quadriceps — a collection of four muscles on the front of your thigh — your discomfort will range from mild to severe. Mild cases can be treated at home, while more serious pulls may need medical attention....

references United States Department of Agriculture: "Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart" University of Minnesota Extension: "Safe meat handling and cooking temperatures" United States Department of Agriculture: "Kitchen Thermometers" United States Department of Agriculture: " 5 Proper Thermometer Placement" U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Charts" Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: "A Short Guide to Food Thermometers" USDA: "Kitchen Thermometers" It's important to make sure your meaty dinner isn't riddled with harmful microorganisms....

There is no clinical evidence that shows cherry juice is good for bladder infections. Image Credit: Marrypopins/iStock/Getty Images If you’re experiencing the burning and pain of a bladder infection, it’s understandable that you’d look to natural remedies like cherry juice for UTI relief. However, there’s no clinical evidence to suggest that tart cherry powder or any other cherry product can resolve bladder infections. Advertisement Tip Unfortunately, there is no clinical evidence that cherry juice provides relief from a bladder infection....

Strong arms enhance sports performance. Image Credit: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc./Blend Images/Getty Images The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends strength training for children as long as proper training techniques are used. Biceps, triceps and forearm exercises improve muscle strength and range of motion for the arms. Exercises do not have to be difficult to be effective, so choose arm exercises based on a child’s fitness level. Children should always be supervised when using exercise equipment or lifting weights....

This month we're challenging you to move for just a minute every hour during your workday. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative Being cooped up at home — even when you know it’s for the greater good — can make you feel a little uneasy, especially when so many of your go-to stress relievers (yoga class, running club, the weight room) are off-limits. Advertisement To help you get (and stay) active during this time of social distancing, we're issuing a new challenge: Get moving at home every hour on the hour....

Going on a juice cleanse to lose belly fat? That's a mistake! Image Credit: petrenkod/iStock/GettyImages Belly fat gets an extra bad rap — and for good reason. In particular, the fat that accumulates around the organs of your midsection (technically called visceral fat) is linked with increased risk of both cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Advertisement But that doesn't mean you should drop everything and do nothing but crunches all day in an attempt to get rid of it....

Eating mussels can fit right into your healthy weight loss diet, while helping build up your immunity. Image Credit: Panagiotis Kyriakos/iStock/GettyImages When you compare mussels’ nutrition facts with red meat, ounce for ounce, mussels contain fewer calories and less fat. Eating mussels can fit right into your healthy weight loss diet, while helping build up your immunity. Advertisement What are Mussels? Mussels are bivalves, which mean they have a two-part hinged shell, and filter their food from the surrounding water....

Health clubs help add variety to your exercise routine. Image Credit: LUNAMARINA/iStock/Getty Images Health clubs, also called fitness centers or gyms, offer various services to help members meet their fitness goals. Increasing your physical activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, among other common health hazards. Health clubs are an effective way to add variety to your routine. However, you do not have to go to a gym to stay active....

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Image Credit: Hayward Gaude/iStock/Getty Images People who consume a balanced diet rich in monounsaturated fats from foods like peanut butter successfully lose weight and keep it off, reported a study published in the “International Journal of Obesity” in 2001. “Prevention” magazine nutrition editor Holly McCord had this and similar studies in mind when she developed her Peanut Butter Diet, sometimes referred to as the Peanut Butter and Jelly Diet....

A rash can be defined as a skin irritation, and its appearance and duration can vary based on its cause. If the rash appears in conjunction with other symptom such as fever, vomiting, runny nose and cough, it may be attributed to a more serious condition or illness. A rash can also appear as a reaction to a bacteria or fungus within the body, or can be as a result of an allergy....

A sour body odor sometimes comes down to hygiene, but it could also be a sign of a medical issue. Image Credit: Maridav/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Causes Home Remedies Medical Treatments When to See a Doctor The Bottom Line Sour body odor is partly dependent on the nose of the beholder, but there are certain thresholds no one wants to cross. Advertisement An unpleasant aroma is usually due to sweat mingling with bacteria on our skin....

Too much soy protein is not good for your digestive health. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/Getty Images There is some debate regarding the role of soy protein in constipation. Soy protein is being researched for beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, insulin resistance and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Large doses of soy protein can cause constipation or make it worse in some people. If you have a constipation problem, talk to your physician before supplementing your diet with soy protein supplements....

Upper-body and core exercises — like planks and chest presses — are great push-up alternatives that work the same muscles. Image Credit: damircudic/E+/GettyImages In This Article Push-Up Modifications Horizontal Pressing Exercises Vertical Pressing Exercises Core Exercises Push-ups are a staple in many strength-training workouts, but not everybody is willing or able to perform them. Thankfully, there are many other upper-body and core exercises that train your muscles in similar ways. Advertisement Below, we share some of our favorite push-up alternatives you can substitute into your workouts....

These water aerobics moves are high-resistance but low-impact. Image Credit: Indeed/The Image Bank/GettyImages As we age, our muscle tone decreases as much as three to five percent a decade after 30, according to Harvard Health Publishing. But regular exercise is one way to prevent muscle loss and maintain joint strength. Plus, regular exercise is a great way to socialize and enjoy some mental stimulation. Advertisement But high-impact workouts (sessions that involve a lot of jumping) can be damaging to sensitive joints, like your hips and knees....