Yahoo!'s Search Stats from Different Studies Aren't Matching - The truth might be in the middle. Yahoo!'s Search market share is presented very differently by the two major companies that have conducted studies regarding the number of American people who performed searches in June. According to comScore, 20.9% of the users resorted to Yahoo! with their queries. However, Nielsen Online says that only 16.6% people relied on the Sunnyvale company for their searches. The difference might come from the fact that comScore had in sight all Yahoo!'s properties that can be used for conducting a search. In both charts, Yahoo! came in second place, after Google, which is the usual first rung on the ladder.
The differences in Google's ranking are more subtle. While comScore credits the company with 61.5% of the market, Nielsen Online gives it only 59.0%. The former market researcher marks a 0.3% diminishment in Google's coverage, at the same time with the growth of the two constant competitors – Yahoo! and MSN/Microsoft Search. The two gained 0.3 and 0.7 respectively of the market share from May, as the study reveals.
The fourth and the fifth places are not identical in the two charts. The Ask network occupies the fourth place in the comScore chart, being followed by AOL's properties. Nielsen shows that, in fact, their places should be inverted.
The discrepancies between the U.S. stats for June released by the two companies continue when it comes to the number of total searches they counted. "In June 2008, Americans conducted 11.5 billion core searches, representing a 7-percent gain versus May," says the comScore report. At the same time, Nielsen’s numbers came up with only about 7.9 billion total searches.
The Nielsen report shows that the coverage Yahoo! sites have in the search market decreased by 12.4% from last year, while Window's Live Search increased by approximately the same percentage. As Google's expansion reached 19%, it becomes clear that only some revolutionary features, along with an aggressive campaign, could determine people to change their mind about the way they conduct their queries.
By: Denisa Ilascu, Internet / SEO News Editor (http://news.softpedia.com)
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Google Knows 40 Languages
Google Knows 40 Languages - The company scored some important improvements this year. In 2008, Google has focused, more than ever, on making its web properties' content available for as many people as possible, no matter their mother tongue. "A huge part of that goal is making our services available in as many languages as possible. And as I’m sure you can imagine, that isn't as easy as simply as translating a few lines of text," says Mario Queiroz, Vice President, Product Management of Google Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
The team from Google did not only have to focus on some translating tools, as some languages require somewhat of a special treatment. Queiroz gives the example of the languages that are written from right to left, as the numbers remain on the generally acknowledged track. Some applications have to be totally redesigned in order to meet the expectations of users from the Arabic countries or Israel, like it happened to the Gmail version for these countries.
The "Google into Your Language" program, which started in 2001 and is voluntary based, did not prove to be 100% efficient, as some languages are still totally unknown to the giant’s developers and many people don't have the possibility of choosing their own language to support the applications provided by the company. Yet, over 1.500 versions of Google's programs are now available in different languages.
Now, over 98% of the Internet users can say that Google knows, at least partially, their idioms. Unicode 5.1 was adopted as soon as it was released, allowing users who don't speak Latin alphabet based languages to conduct searches and be offered satisfactory results.
All these add up value to Google's patrimony, but the company has to come up with something truly outstanding to calm down the rumors that talk about a low pitch of the business. The reason for the mistrust is the company's second quarter earning report, which didn't show very good stats.
By: Denisa Ilascu, Internet / SEO News Editor (http://news.softpedia.com)
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The team from Google did not only have to focus on some translating tools, as some languages require somewhat of a special treatment. Queiroz gives the example of the languages that are written from right to left, as the numbers remain on the generally acknowledged track. Some applications have to be totally redesigned in order to meet the expectations of users from the Arabic countries or Israel, like it happened to the Gmail version for these countries.
The "Google into Your Language" program, which started in 2001 and is voluntary based, did not prove to be 100% efficient, as some languages are still totally unknown to the giant’s developers and many people don't have the possibility of choosing their own language to support the applications provided by the company. Yet, over 1.500 versions of Google's programs are now available in different languages.
Now, over 98% of the Internet users can say that Google knows, at least partially, their idioms. Unicode 5.1 was adopted as soon as it was released, allowing users who don't speak Latin alphabet based languages to conduct searches and be offered satisfactory results.
All these add up value to Google's patrimony, but the company has to come up with something truly outstanding to calm down the rumors that talk about a low pitch of the business. The reason for the mistrust is the company's second quarter earning report, which didn't show very good stats.
By: Denisa Ilascu, Internet / SEO News Editor (http://news.softpedia.com)
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Error Recipe: Vista SP1, USB Optical Disc Drive and Resume from Standby - A hotfix is available
Windows Vista Service Pack 1, a USB optical disc drive and the process of resuming a computer from standby are the perfect recipe for a Stop error message, according to Microsoft. Essentially, a computer running Vista SP1, or even the plain vanilla version of the operating system that is resuming from Standby while connected to a USB optical disc drive will produce either the STOP: 0x000000E4 (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) or the STOP: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) error messages.
"The parameters in the error message vary, depending on the configuration of the computer. This issue may occur on a computer that is running Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), or Windows Server 2008. Not all '0x000000E4' or '0x0000000A' Stop errors are caused by this problem," Microsoft explained.
Windows Vista SP1 and RTM versions, as well as all the flavors of Windows Server 2008 are affected by the issue. However, Windows XP SP3 or earlier releases, as well as Windows Server 2003 on the server-side, are apparently not impacted in the least. Microsoft has a resolve in place, but it requires Vista and Windows Server 2008 users to contact Microsoft directly in order to access the hotfix.
"A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem described [above]. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix," Microsoft added. Traditionally, if the issue is not widespread, and does not affect the vast majority of Windows users, the Redmond company will not produce a fix designed for delivery through Windows Update. All Windows hotfixes are in the end introduced into upcoming service packs for the operating system if they fail to evolve into updates, which, apparently, is not the case here.
By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor
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Spelling Monopoly for Google and Yahoo - Courtesy of Microsoft
Microsoft is one of the most vocal opponents of an online advertising and search partnership between direct rivals Google and Yahoo. The no. 1 and no. 2 Internet search and advertising players worldwide announced in the first half of the past month a non-exclusive alliance in a move designed specifically to keep Yahoo out of Microsoft's reach. And while it was throwing nothing but repeated negative answers to the Redmond company, the Sunnyvale Internet giant was quick to make a common front with the Mountain View search firm. Microsoft is, of course, already crying fault and highlighting the monopoly that would be created via the partnership between the two main search and online advertising powerhouses.
On July 15, the software giant produced a fact sheet detailing the Google - Yahoo monopoly with statistics. Citing data from various sources Microsoft indicated that "there were over 7.8 billion search queries conducted in the United States in May 2008. An estimated 65 percent of online shoppers conduct product research using search engines. Online advertising expenditures likely will exceed $27 billion in the United States in 2008 and are expected to grow to about $42 billion by 2011. Approximately $8.6 billion was spent on search advertising in the United States in 2007. Google accounts for approximately 70 to 75 percent of search advertising revenue (and roughly the same number of search queries)".
The Google and Yahoo deal is indeed under scrutiny by antitrust regulators in the U.S. Microsoft's very own senior vice president and general counsel, Brad Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Antitrust and the House Judiciary Committee Antitrust Task Force. Smith indicated that Google plus Yahoo would be the death of innovation and choice and would result in higher prices for users and advertisers. At the same time, Smith warned that placing Google in a position of monopoly would also let it have discretionary powers over the user data it collects.
"Google’s market capitalization is as large as Coca-Cola and Boeing combined. The FTC deemed Google 'the dominant provider' in the search advertising market in December 2007. The FTC concluded that other forms of advertising (online or offline) should not serve as a basis to eliminate concerns about Google’s dominance in search. Search advertising revenues reached $8.6 billion in 2007 and are expected to jump to almost $16.6 billion by 2011. That is comparable to both radio and cable advertising, whose revenues each totaled about $20 billion in 2007, but search advertising is growing much faster," Microsoft added.
By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor
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Microsoft and Yahoo: Dog Eat Dog
Microsoft and Yahoo: Dog Eat Dog - The Redmond company is setting the record straight It's simply a dog eat dog world wide web, and Microsoft and Yahoo are two players caught in what by now seems a perpetual takeover ballet. The figures to emerge in the latest act of this Internet search and advertising acquisition saga are Roy Bostock, Chairman of Yahoo, investor Carl Icahn, and Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer. While Microsoft representatives did indicate that they are no longer interested in a deal with Yahoo implying the entire Sunnyvale-based Internet giant, not even at the $33 per share it offered back in February 2008, the Redmond company did produce a new offer at the end of the past week, just to get refused again. Now, Microsoft is setting the record straight about the events of the past week, following what it claims to be a statement containing inaccuracies released by Yahoo on July 12.
According to Yahoo, the latest bid from Microsoft, which it connects with Carl Icahn as a single entity, involved a renewed proposal to acquire Yahoo search but also to restructure the Internet company's leadership. Roy Bostock, Chairman of Yahoo, was cited repeatedly in the official statement from Yahoo criticizing the "odd and opportunistic alliance of Microsoft and Carl Icahn". Bostock claimed that Microsoft and Icahn negotiations were without any sort of involvement from Yahoo, and that the Redmond company set a 24 hour ultimatum for the offer to be accepted. The Yahoo Chairman went on to characterize the behavior of Microsoft as "erratic and unpredictable" and its refusal to negotiate as "absurd and irresponsible". At the same time, Yahoo noted that it was willing to negotiate a sale of the entire company for $33 per share, originally some $44.6 billion and to sit down and discuss a transaction involving only search. However, Microsoft refused to negotiate.
In a move designed to correct the inaccuracies delivered by Yahoo, Microsoft noted that: "among other things, the enhanced proposal for an alternate search transaction that we submitted late Friday was submitted at the request of Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock as a result of apparent attempts by Mr. Icahn to have Microsoft and Yahoo! engage on a search transaction on terms Mr. Icahn believed Microsoft would be willing to accept and which Microsoft understands Mr. Icahn had discussed with Yahoo!"
The Redmond company pointed out that the new bid would have not been submitted, except it was requested by Yahoo specifically. Still, although it has stated repeatedly that it is no longer interested in Yahoo, Microsoft is continuing to produce offers, and to negotiate, although now it is doing so on its own terms, and talking not only with Yahoo's board of Directors, but also with Carl Icahn.
"Specifically, on Thursday afternoon, July 10, Mr. Bostock called Steve Ballmer’s office to arrange a call. On that subsequent call, Mr. Bostock told Mr. Ballmer that 'with substantial guarantees on the table and an increase in the TAC (traffic acquisition cost) rate, there are the pillars of a search only deal to be done'. Mr. Bostock encouraged Mr. Ballmer to submit a new proposal to Yahoo! for a search-only deal reflecting these terms," Microsoft added.
The Redmond company said that it had by no means set an ultimatum of any kind for Yahoo's Board of Directors to come to a decision. Apparently, what Microsoft wanted from Yahoo was a letter of intent and detailed term sheets necessary to debut negotiations. Instead, it received another negative answer.
"After considering Yahoo!’s request and taking into account Yahoo!’s previous feedback about our prior search proposal, Microsoft determined late Friday to propose an enhanced search transaction. This proposal included significant revenue guarantees, higher TAC rates, an equity investment and an option for Yahoo! to extend the agreement over a 10-year period," the Redmond company stated.
By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor (http://news.softpedia.com)
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Installing Ubuntu 7.10
Installing Ubuntu 7.10 - Gutsy Gibbon step-by-step installation guide with screenshots! So you've heard about Ubuntu everywhere on the Internet and you've decided to install it on your computer (just to see if what you've heard about it is true or not) and you don't know how to do it? Look no further! This guide will make things very simple for you, as it will teach you step-by-step how to install the latest version of Ubuntu operating system (current version is 7.10 codename Gutsy Gibbon) on your PC in no more than 10 minutes (depending on your computer specs, of course). Are you ready? Let's start!
Step 1
Download the Ubuntu 7.10 Desktop ISO image, that corresponds to your hardware architecture (i386 or amd64), from here.
Step 2
Burn the ISO image with your favorite CD/DVD burning application (Nero, CDBurnerXP, Roxio etc) on a blank CD at 8x speed.
Step 3
Insert or leave the CD in your CD/DVD-ROM device and reboot your computer. Hit enter when the boot screen appears and wait for it to load into memory.
Step 4
When the desktop is fully loaded, double click the Install icon and follow the installer steps:
Select your language
This is the first step of the installer, where you must select your native language (default is English). This language will be used for the installer and it will also be the default language for your Ubuntu Linux (when the installation is over). Click the Forward button after you have selected your language.
Where are you?
The second screen will feature a map of the Earth with little red dots, so you can select your city and country. Upon the current selection of your location, the time for the final system will adjust accordingly. You can also select your current location from the drop down list situated at the bottom of the window (recommended). Click the Forward button after you have selected your location.
Test your keyboard
On the third screen, you will be asked to select the keyboard layout that suits you best (default is U.S. English). You can also test your keyboard on the little text input field situated at the bottom of the window. Click the Forward button when you have finished with the keyboard configuration.
Hard disk partitioning
Hold on, don't leave yet! The hard disk partitioning is an easy task, so I am quite sure you will manage to handle it too. You have three options:
1. If you want to keep your existing operating system, select the first option: "Guided - resize the partition and use the freed space".
2. If you want to delete your existing operating system, select the second option: "Guided - use entire disk".
3. Manual is the third choice at this point and I strongly suggest you to use it ONLY if you are an expert on Linux partitioning.
Once you've reached a decision, click the Forward button.
Migration Assistant
This is the best part of the installer, as it will allow you to choose your existing Firefox bookmarks, wallpapers, Internet Explorer favorites, Yahoo Messenger or AOL Messenger contacts. If you don't have a Windows or other Ubuntu installation on your hard disk, then you will not see this screen so just click the Forward button to continue with the installation.
Who are you?
Here you must do exactly what the title of this step tells you to do. You must fill in some fields with your real name, the name you want to use to log in on your Ubuntu OS and the name of the computer (automatically generated). Once you have finished with this step, click the Forward button again (for the last time).
Are you really ready for Ubuntu?
If you have successfully arrived at this point, then you are definitely ready for your new Ubuntu operating system. So, what are you waiting for? Click the Install button NOW!
The Ubuntu 7.10 (Gusty Gibbon) operating system is installing...
Step 5
After approximately 8 minutes, a pop-up window will appear with two options:
1. Continue using the live CD
2. Restart now
You've probably clicked the "Restart now" button, because you were very excited to see your new Ubuntu operating system at work. Well then, enjoy using it!
Source: news.softpedia.com
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Step 1
Download the Ubuntu 7.10 Desktop ISO image, that corresponds to your hardware architecture (i386 or amd64), from here.
Step 2
Burn the ISO image with your favorite CD/DVD burning application (Nero, CDBurnerXP, Roxio etc) on a blank CD at 8x speed.
Step 3
Insert or leave the CD in your CD/DVD-ROM device and reboot your computer. Hit enter when the boot screen appears and wait for it to load into memory.
Step 4
When the desktop is fully loaded, double click the Install icon and follow the installer steps:
Select your language
This is the first step of the installer, where you must select your native language (default is English). This language will be used for the installer and it will also be the default language for your Ubuntu Linux (when the installation is over). Click the Forward button after you have selected your language.
Where are you?
The second screen will feature a map of the Earth with little red dots, so you can select your city and country. Upon the current selection of your location, the time for the final system will adjust accordingly. You can also select your current location from the drop down list situated at the bottom of the window (recommended). Click the Forward button after you have selected your location.
Test your keyboard
On the third screen, you will be asked to select the keyboard layout that suits you best (default is U.S. English). You can also test your keyboard on the little text input field situated at the bottom of the window. Click the Forward button when you have finished with the keyboard configuration.
Hard disk partitioning
Hold on, don't leave yet! The hard disk partitioning is an easy task, so I am quite sure you will manage to handle it too. You have three options:
1. If you want to keep your existing operating system, select the first option: "Guided - resize the partition and use the freed space".
2. If you want to delete your existing operating system, select the second option: "Guided - use entire disk".
3. Manual is the third choice at this point and I strongly suggest you to use it ONLY if you are an expert on Linux partitioning.
Once you've reached a decision, click the Forward button.
Migration Assistant
This is the best part of the installer, as it will allow you to choose your existing Firefox bookmarks, wallpapers, Internet Explorer favorites, Yahoo Messenger or AOL Messenger contacts. If you don't have a Windows or other Ubuntu installation on your hard disk, then you will not see this screen so just click the Forward button to continue with the installation.
Who are you?
Here you must do exactly what the title of this step tells you to do. You must fill in some fields with your real name, the name you want to use to log in on your Ubuntu OS and the name of the computer (automatically generated). Once you have finished with this step, click the Forward button again (for the last time).
Are you really ready for Ubuntu?
If you have successfully arrived at this point, then you are definitely ready for your new Ubuntu operating system. So, what are you waiting for? Click the Install button NOW!
The Ubuntu 7.10 (Gusty Gibbon) operating system is installing...
Step 5
After approximately 8 minutes, a pop-up window will appear with two options:
1. Continue using the live CD
2. Restart now
You've probably clicked the "Restart now" button, because you were very excited to see your new Ubuntu operating system at work. Well then, enjoy using it!
Source: news.softpedia.com
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Top 6 Foods That Boost Memory
Top 6 Foods That Boost Memory - Even the onion! The exam sessions mean mental and physical exhaustion. But there are some mental vitalizers helping you finish the course without problems or stress. After various hours of studying, the eyes get tired too. Tired eyes can be relieved by washing the area with fresh water, which gives a refreshing and relaxing sensation. When tired eyes are accompanied by an itchy sensation, a couple of cotton patches soaked in Eufrasia can be applied on the eyelids.
1.Lecithin is a natural complex of phospholipids encountered naturally in soy beans and also in many structures of our body, like the membranes of the brain cells. The main ingredient in soy lecithin is phosphatidyl choline, which increases the amount of choline in the body, a chemical employed by the brain as precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that boosts memory capacity, intellectual skills and focusing. There are special types of lecithin rich in phosphatidyl cholines on the market.
2.There are various minerals and aminoacids crucial for the right functioning of the neurotransmitters and other brain functions. These minerals must be supplemented in case of intellectual effort: chrome, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and zinc.
3.Eat many fruits and green vegetables rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Bilberries, blackberries, grapes, fish and fish oil, eggs, spinach and almonds are also recommended.
4.Caffeine boosts memory. So, coffee and tea (black or green) are good for your memory. Caffeine proved to protect intellectual skills in older women. Female subjects who drank over three cups of coffee (or the same caffeine amount in tea) daily scored better in memory tests than those who only had one cup or less of coffee/tea daily.
5.Chocolate not only boosts serotonin, the "pleasure hormone", but also comes with large amounts of epicatechin, which improves the brain blood flow and boosts memory.
6.A recent Japanese research found a new quality of the old onion: it boosts your memory! Subjects experiencing memory loss reported improved recall abilities after ingesting lightly cooked pieces of onion. An anti-oxidant chemical in onions seems to attach to toxins in the brain, helping in eliminating them. The sulfur containing chemical is turned on when onions are slightly heated in a pan, but overcooking can damage the chemical's memory-boosting qualities. The same active chemical is also encountered in other members of the Allium genus, like garlic (Allium sativum) and leek (A. porrum).
Source: news.softpedia.com
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The High-Protein Diet
The High-Protein Diet - Some basic facts about what such a diet can do for you If you like to keep on top of the latest news in the ever-expanding world of diets and weight-loss, you’ve definitely heard of the much-hyped metabolic typing diet, which claims to determine the rate at which every individual processes food and turns it into beneficial substances that help feed their body.
According to this diet, some people tolerate carbohydrates better, others thrive on proteins and this is what allows them to keep their weight under control. We will be dealing with the metabolic typing in a different article – now, however, it’s time to have a look at what a low carb, high protein diet can do for us in terms of weight management.
The simple answer is – it can do a lot. Protein foods are recommended when it comes to sticking to an eating plan aimed to help you lose those excess pounds – primarily because they need more time to digest and therefore keep us feeling full for longer. Generally, a normally balanced diet includes about 50% calories from carbs and 15% from protein.
However, if you're looking to restrict your refined carb intake and cut back on bread, rice, pasta, potatoes or cereal, you can try to aim for a different ratio – about 30% carbs and over 50% protein. Dairy is essential – you will be needing more calcium than usual if you’re following such an eating plan – and you can easily choose skimmed or low-fat versions over full-fat ones to keep the fat in check.
A high-protein diet involves eating mainly lean red meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy, seafood or tofu. Basically, two out of three daily meals would be made up of protein (usually the lunch and an early dinner) and one small meal with a small amount of carbs – cereals or rice for breakfast would be a good choice. You need to be careful, though: high protein diets can raise blood cholesterol levels and expose you to a higher risk of developing heart disease, so it’s important to have regular blood tests and exercise as often as possible.
Source: news.softpedia.com
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10 Ways to Right-Size Your Meals
Portion distortion is one of the prime causes of America's obesity epidemic, yet most of us don't realize that we overeat -- or that when it comes to reining in calories, serving size is crucial. Here's how you can downsize your portions and still feel satisfied.
1. Contemplating seconds? Wait 10 minutes.
Your stomach needs about that long to signal the brain that it's full, so stall before helping yourself to more mashed potatoes or lasagna. Keep the conversation going, tell a joke, or if you're dining alone, read the newspaper or walk around the house. If you're truly hungry after the delay, have seconds of the veggies or salad.
2. Quit the clean plate club.
One in four Americans eat everything they're served no matter how big the portions, surveys reveal. A better strategy: Eat a healthy portion, then stop. It's better to waste a little food (and save it for tomorrow) than to overload your body.
3. Never eat directly out of the bag, box, or carton.
Put the portion on the plate right away and put the package away, then sit down and enjoy.
4. Like big portions? Do this.
Overload your plate with vegetables or salad with a smidgen of dressing or have a big, steaming bowl of broth-based soup. These water-rich, low-fat foods are so low in calories that a big portion isn't a problem.
5. Use a salad plate as your dinner plate.
Less real estate means automatic portion control.
6. Make "small" your default setting.
When ordering food or drinks or buying packaged food at the store, automatically go for the smallest size of any high-calories items (The exceptions: Salads and veggies without added fat.) Get the small latte, the 6-inch sub instead of the 12-inch, the small cookie instead of the 4-inch chocolate chip behemoth. Calories haven't bought can't end up around your waist.
7. Go single-serve.
Buy or make ice cream, sweets, or other high-cal foods, in individual serving sizes. Instead of a half-gallon of Rocky Road, buy ice cream sandwiches; make cupcakes instead of cake; and buy single-serving bags of chips.
8. But read the label first.
Many packaged foods and drinks look as if they provide one serving are actually meant to serve two or more people. However, the calories and other nutrition info on the label are for just one serving, so read the number of servings per container first. Then be sure to eat or drink just one serving.
9. Pack your leftovers before eating.
Sure, it's easy to put a healthy plate of food in front of you. The trouble comes when the plate empties and you have more if each food sitting in front if you in alluring serving bowls. The answer: Package and store leftovers before you sit down to eat. That way, getting seconds becomes a whole lot harder and feels more inappropriate.
10. Round out the meal with raw produce.
As you transition to more modest portion sizes, you may find yourself craving more food with your meal. The answer: a piece of fruit or a crunchy, large serving of celery, carrots, or peppers. There is no easier, healthier way to "beef up" a meal than with an apple, an orange, a big helping of watermelon or cantaloupe, or a sliced tomato.
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