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A Crock-Pot can help you serve warm pasta to a crowd. Image Credit: OlgaMiltsova/iStock/Getty Images Pasta serves as the basis for several hearty, economical meals suitable for feeding a crowd. Estimate needing 1 pound of pasta for every four to six guests. Match the pasta shape with the sauce you intend to serve over it. Flat pastas like fettuccini are suited for thin sauces while chunky pastas with nooks and crannies can catch the pieces of chunkier sauces....

It's not easy, but writing your own workout plan can be the best way to get the most out of your workouts. Image Credit: Kobus Louw/E+/GettyImages Any goal requires a road map — and any fitness goal requires a training program. A good workout plan contains all the right elements to you set you up for success. Creating your own workout program from scratch can feel overwhelming, so we’ve broken it down into easy-to-follow steps....

Overly-salty foods can ruin a good meal. Image Credit: MarianVejcik/iStock/GettyImages Overly-salty foods can ruin a good meal. It’s possible to decrease the salt content of bacon and pancetta, but nothing can be done to remove salt from meat, such as steak or meatballs, once they are seasoned. However, you can salvage a salty meat dish by making an acidic sauce to go with it. Advertisement Remove Salt From Meat Is your homemade bacon too salty after smoking, or is your pancetta too salty?...

White beans soak in a clear glass bowl. Image Credit: ksushachmeister/iStock/Getty Images When phytic acid reaches your digestive tract, it interacts with bacteria and releases a substance called inositol. Inositol helps your liver process fats and has a role in muscle function. In spite of these benefits, phytic acid is called an antinutrient because it interferes with the absorption of minerals. Phytic acid is naturally found in beans, but you can easily lower the amount you consume by soaking or sprouting the beans....

Weightlifting exercises help build muscle mass. Image Credit: Pekic/E+/GettyImages Losing muscle mass may occur due to prolonged inactivity, illness, injury, aging or chronic health conditions. Regaining muscle mass is beneficial for people of all ages. It improves appearance, increases strength and lowers blood pressure. Advertisement Building muscle mass also increases bone density and helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, according to Harvard Health Publishing. You can regain muscle mass quickly by incorporating strength training into your daily routine and making a few minor dietary modifications....

A woman is exercising her core. Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock/Getty Images Whether you gave birth weeks, months or years ago, you might harbor a little insecurity about your “mommy tummy.” As your belly swells through pregnancy, the muscles of the abdominal wall and the skin on top are stretched to accommodate your growing child. When you give birth, the muscles and skin are left slack and loose. Although most women stay a little soft around the middle after having children, you can improve your core tone with regular exercise....

Constipation is a common side effect of iron supplements, so you may not want to take them if you don't need to for medical reasons. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Problems pooping? Believe it or not, the culprit behind your constipation may be lurking in your daily multivitamin or dietary supplement. Advertisement Getting your iron this way may be backing you up in the bathroom. And while iron is a super important mineral for our bodies (we need it to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that helps blood carry oxygen throughout the body), some of us may be taking too much....

Body fat measurements give you a better understanding of the health of your body compared to the scale. Image Credit: © Rick Elkins/Moment/Getty Images Body fat measurements give you a better understanding of the health of your body compared to the scale. Instead of only knowing your gross weight – which includes bones, fluid, organs and connective tissue – your body composition measurement tells you how much of that weight is made up of fat....

The type of oatmeal you choose can affect whether or not you feel tired throughout the day. Image Credit: samael334/iStock/GettyImages If your stomach is growling when you drag yourself out of bed in the morning, your first instinct, normally, isn’t to whip up a fancy meal. Usually you grab whatever breakfast food is easiest. Oatmeal is often recommended, but if you buy the wrong brand, it’s an extra shot of sugar in the morning that can leave you sleepy and unable to concentrate for the rest of the morning....

Isopure can benefit if you are engaged in athletic activity regularly. Image Credit: iprogressman/iStock/GettyImages It’s not always easy to get enough protein on a daily basis. According to MedlinePlus, 10 percent and 35 percent of your total daily calories should come from this muscle-building macronutrient. Isopure protein, a powdered whey-based supplement, can be a good option for those who need it. Advertisement Tip Whey protein is a good option for building muscle, and Isopure offers a sugar-free option to assist with weight loss, along with plant-based options for vegetarians....

If you're experiencing shoulder pain while swimming, talk to a doctor about your symptoms. Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images In This Article Shoulder Anatomy Types of Rotator Cuff Problems Swimming With a Torn Rotator Cuff Best Swimming Exercises Worst Swimming Exercises Swimming is a low-impact workout that yields high-end results. Doing laps in the pool gives your heart health a boost and strengthens just about every muscle in your body. Advertisement But, is swimming good for a torn rotator cuff or for shoulder pain in general?...

White rice is a gluten-free grain that works well as a side dish but other types of rice may provide more protein and fiber. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com/Creative In This Article Types Nutrition Calories and Macros Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients Benefits Risks Preparation and Tips White rice has been deemed unhealthy by some in the dieting community, but it's a wonderfully versatile grain that complements practically any food. In fact, it's considered a staple food in cultures all around the world, and for good reason....

A Greek salad is a part of the Leptin diet. Image Credit: Foxys_forest_manufacture/iStock/GettyImages The Leptin Diet is a program devised by board-certified clinical nutritionist Byron J. Richards, CCN, the founder of a supplement company called Wellness Resources and an expert on the leptin hormone. Optimizing levels of leptin is the concept underlying the eating plan. Advertisement ​Read more:​ Are There Any Foods High in Leptin? Video of the Day What Is the Leptin Hormone?...

Whole garlic and garlic cloves. Image Credit: Blue Jean Images/Photodisc/Getty Images Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is a pain reliever with blood-thinning properties. In certain circumstances, aspirin may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by improving circulation and preventing blood clots. Despite these benefits, aspirin can also cause dangerous side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage and increased risk for hemorrhagic stroke. There are many natural alternatives to aspirin for heart health, some of which may be less likely to cause serious side effects....

A tray with several samples of different beers. Image Credit: kjekol/iStock/Getty Images Silicon, a naturally occurring element, is pervasive in the environment and the second-most common element in the Earth’s outer crust. This element is beneficial for a variety of health functions. Most silicon exists in a form that is unabsorbable. However, some foods contain significant quantities of silicon dioxide, a usable form of the element. Advertisement Plants Though silicon has not been determined to be an essential nutrient and there is no recommended allowance, the European Food Safety authority recommends a safe daily limit of 700 mg....

It’s not common to have an oatmeal allergy, although it can happen. Image Credit: Arx0nt/iStock/GettyImages It’s not common to have an oatmeal allergy, although it can happen. Oats aren’t always the issue, though. Sometimes other ingredients or contaminants can be the actual sources of allergic responses. If you experience negative side effects after eating oatmeal, call your doctor. Advertisement Symptoms of food allergies can be life-threatening in some cases — seek immediate medical attention if you have difficulty breathing....

Allergies to olive oil is extremely rare. Image Credit: mezzalunayca/iStock/GettyImages An olive oil allergy isn’t unheard of, but it’s extremely rare, reports the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). Conversely, exposure to olive tree pollen commonly causes seasonal allergic symptoms. Advertisement Olive Oil Allergy According to the ACAAI, scientific literature contains only three reports of a serious allergy from ingestion of olives, which is classified as a fruit rather than a tree nut....

The benefits of local raw honey may include its antibacterial effects. On the other hand, honey can cause diarrhea for some. Image Credit: Tolimir/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Is It Safe? Benefits Risks Raw honey is much more than just a sweetener: It's also prized for it's antibacterial, antioxidant and other health-supporting properties. But beyond these perks, are there any raw honey dangers to be aware of? Advertisement First things first, raw honey is "honey as it exists in the beehive," according to the U....

Closeup of woman pulling the waistband of her jeans after weight loss. Image Credit: Staras/iStock/Getty Images Losing weight can be very beneficial for your long-term health if you have overweight. However, it’s important to do it at a sensible pace, as very rapid weight loss can lead to serious health complications and “yo-yo” dieting in the future. A healthy and sustainable rate of fat loss is roughly 1 to 2 pounds per week....

Fill your plate with these summer vegetables and fruits to give your diet the boost it needs. Image Credit: Getty Images/Aiselin82 “Superfood” is one of those catchy, trendy terms that’s often thrown around on social media — but have you ever wondered what it actually means? Advertisement First off, the term isn't actually federally regulated. Generally speaking — and perhaps a less sexy way to phrase it — a superfood describes a nutritionally dense wonder from Mother Nature that boasts plenty of nutrients....