As part of our weekly cooking series, we’re doing a special feature today on how to cook with real food, in celebration of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day.

The idea is simple: Put away the fake ingredients and pre-made mixes and sauces and cook with real food for better health.

This idea is being brought to American dinner tables and school cafeterias by one seriously-determined British chef – Jamie Oliver. Oliver has started a movement both stateside and in Britain called the Food Revolution, which aims to get back to real, quality food, and move away from the high-fat, sugar-laden processed foods most Americans are eating today.

For a better sense of how Oliver views healthy eating, here is his food philosophy as stated on his website.
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February 18, 1974 in Los Angeles, California, Jillian Michaels born to psychotherapist mother and her father a personal injury lawyer. Then Michaels endured a dramatic childhood. At age 5 Jillian was put into therapy because she suffered from severe night terrors. Then at age 13 her parents were going through a divorce, this caused Jillian to resort to junk food for comfort and caused her to grow to 5 feet 2 inches and 175 pounds. Jillian was bullied because of her size and physical traits.

Jillian‘s life started to turn around once she took martial arts classes at 14 years old. However, growing up, she didn’t make things easy on her mother. Jillian got into some trouble as a teenager and eventually was kicked out of the house. At 17 years old Jillian attended California State University then dropped out because of financial reasons. Jillian worked various jobs in her early 20s. Disliking most of her jobs, Jillian decided she wanted a career in personal training. Her passion for helping others and fitness was incorporated into her career. In 2002, when she was 28, she opened up Sky Sport & Spa with Jackie Warner.

Then a Hollywood agent told Jillian about The Biggest Loser and how it would be a great opportunity for her. Jillian gained fame for her tough love when motivating the contestants. Audiences fell in love with Jillian because despite her drill sergeant tactics she is a loving person who is genuinely rooting for every Biggest Loser contestant. Jillian’s success continued after leaving the Biggest Loser.

The success of the show has turned Jillian into a fitness tycoon. Her next project “Losing It with Jillian,” allowed her to take her weight loss tactics to families who are struggling with obesity and help build a healthier lifestyle. Jillian then spent Fall 2011 as an expert on The Doctors giving insight on health and exercise. She has launched her own company, Empowered Media LLC from which she produces workout DVDS, Wii games, diet supplements, meal delivery, fitness equipment, brand endorsements for GoDaddy, K-Swiss, and Nordic Track, and her online subscription program. Jillian is a New York Times Best Selling author and those titles include:

1. “Winning by Losing: Drop the Weight, Change Your Life”

2. “Making the Cut: The 30- Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You”

3. “Master Your Metabolism”

4. “The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook”

5. “The Master Your Metabolism Calorie Counter”

6. “Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life”

Today, Jillian is single and living in Los Angeles, California. Although, she does not make regular appearances on television anymore, she gives back to the community. She volunteers for many charities which range from the American Cancer Society, PETA, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and United Service Organizations. She is a family oriented person. She is in the process of finalizing an adoption and continues to have a strong relationship with her mother and siblings. Jillian’s belief in life is everything should be in moderation. Hard work and perseverance turned Jillian Michaels into a household name.

Carbs: Are they good? Are they bad? It can all be very confusing. But one man is stepping in the middle of that gap, saying there can be a healthy balance that can yield optimum weight loss and fat burn.

That man is Robert Ferguson, MS, who is a weight-loss coach, CEO of Diet Free Life, motivational speaker and author. Recently, Ferguson has been speaking out about carb confusion- specifically concerning how too many can be a bad thing, and too few can be even worse.

In an article recently featured in First for Women Magazine, Ferguson discussed new science that’s showing our blood sugar has a sweet spot that results in optimal fat burning and peak metabolism. And he says this research is going to help women melt pounds away without feeling deprived.

The secret? Finding the right balance of fast carbs and slow carbs.
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Looking for ways to get gorgeous calves? We have the best exercises to get you those envious calves in no time! The calf muscles are made up of two main muscles; the gastrocnemius and soleus. These muscles are used every time you walk, run and go up and down stairs. In order to get the defined calves you are looking for try to following exercises two to three times a week. If you are looking to also lose weight include this with additional lower body strength training  and cardio for best results.

Before you start the exercises below make sure you are properly warmed up by walking or jogging for at least ten minutes. Always use proper form and avoid doing these exercises daily to avoid injury.

Calf Raise

This exercise is good to do if you don’t have access to gym equipment. Calf raises can be done freestanding on just about anything raised up (e.g. stairs, blocks, books, etc.) or even from the floor. For more of a challenge they can be done one leg at a time. To work the inside of your calves, set your feet farther apart and rise up onto the inside balls of your feet. To work the outside, set your feet in close and rise up on the outside balls of your feet. Do not turn your toes in or out as this will put stress on your knees.

Leg Press Machine

This machine is primarily used for the upper legs but shifting your feet slightly will put the focus on your calves. If the machine plate is adjustable, set it a little bit higher. While sitting in the seat and starting with a lower weight (until you figure out how much is best for you) place your toes near the bottom of the pressing plate (where your heels would normally go). Use your toes to push the plate and then slowly let it come back down.
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If you’ve ever been pregnant, dreamt about being pregnant, or been slightly terrified about what to expect while being pregnant, then the film “What to Expect While You’re Expecting,” is a must see for you.

With a star-studded cast with such famous names as Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Brooklyn Decker, Dennis Quaid and Chris Rock, this film is sure to be a big hit.

Surprisingly, it’s based on the best-selling book ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting,’ which at first glance seems like a traditional guide to pregnancy. But film producers have managed to bring the pages to life and even poke a little fun at the experience from the standpoint of both mothers- and fathers-to be.

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