19 July

Walking and Weight Loss

Most fitness gurus and diet doctors agree that the way to lose substantial amounts of weight is not by diving into crazy fad diets. Fad diets can ruin your health because most of these diets do not give you the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and protein that a healthy body needs to keep functioning. Fad diets can lead to dizziness, nausea, intestinal problems, anemia and in severe cases even diabetes. One thing that all of these experts agree on is that walking and weight loss are two very compatible behaviors that complement each other very well.

Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
13 July

Best exercises to lose weight

If you’re like most adult Americans, you’re probably overweight. According to the latest centers for disease control studies, almost two out of three American adults are overweight and better than one in four are considered obese – having a body mass index of thirty five or above.

Which means you need to do some exercises to lose weight. You need to change you diet. You need to get up earlier and go to bed later, and live life to its fullest rather than just sitting on the couch, shoving peanuts down your gullet, watching family guy and pecking at the computer, surfing the internet.

Now, a lot of this is pretty easy. Getting out of the house and leading an active lifestyle is just a matter of will power. You have to make yourself do it. Do what it takes to talk yourself into getting up, being active and leading the type of lifestyle that will let you become a better person.

As for diet, that is will power and common sense. We’ve omnivorous mammals. We evolved over eons and eons subsisting primarily on stuff that grows – whether it’s fruits, vegetables, berries or whatever, we’ve evolved to derive sustenance from food that gets its own sustenance from the sun.

So eat a salad. Have a piece of fruit and some oatmeal every morning. When you’re snacking, avoid processed foods and eat a handful of almonds or some fresh strawberries or an apple. Do what your body is evolved to do rather than just eating the first, most convenient crap that you see.

And then there are exercises to lose weight. Really, anything that is physical can be one of the best exercises to lose weight if you do it at a high intensity. But generally speaking, the name of the game when it comes to exercises to lose weight is cardiovascular work. You want to get your heartrate up, you want to do it for a prolonged period, and you want to do it at least three or four times a week.

For me personally, I have difficulty with high-impact exercises such as jogging, so I use an exercise bike. I set the resistance to low, then just pedal as fast as I can for anywhere from twenty five to forty five minutes. This will burn anywhere from three hundred to five hundred calories at the intensity I do it.

Other exercise are better. Anything that uses your whole body – like certain aerobics classes, swimming, or the rowing machine – will burn even more calories, burn even more fat, and build more muscle.

Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Diet, Healthy Lifestyle, Uncategorized | Comment now » |
15 June

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

The benefits of quitting smoking are pretty intuitive, but the American Cancer Society would like you to be aware of just how many benefits there are. And while scientific research technically can’t prove that smoking causes cancer and overall bad health, everybody knows that it’s true because it’s a matter of common sense and more than just mere coincidence that smoking is strongly associated with developing cancer. But even if we know that it’s better to quit smoking, that doesn’t mean that it’s so easy to. The reason it’s so hard to quit smoking is because of the addictive properties of nicotine. People can develop a physical or a psychological addiction to a drug, and with tobacco, they find themselves craving nicotine and developing an emotional dependence on it. At first, smoking gives people a high as the brain responds to the nicotine, but over time the body becomes accustomed to it and it needs higher and higher levels to achieve the same high that it used to at a lower level. They may also experience negative effects of withdrawal like headaches, shaking and insomnia, so smokers start to increase the amount that they smoke and it eventually becomes an addiction. The consequences of nicotine addiction are an increased risk of developing cancer, but there are many other consequences that are subtle but significant. You might find it harder to breathe, the smell of smoke surrounding you and pervading everywhere you go, your teeth becoming stained, impaired ability to think, less stamina, more anxiety, and less money due to spending it on cigarettes. And as you smoke, you’re also putting the people around you at risk, because other people can inhale the carcinogens and it can also be passed to an infant during pregnancy. Thus some of the benefits of quitting smoking are less risk of developing cancer, being able to breathe fresh air, your teeth looking whiter, the ability to think more clearly, more stamina, less anxiety, and money saved. When you stop abusing nicotine, you’ll realize that the benefits of quitting smoking extend to all areas of life, in terms of health, intelligence, social life and economics. You can learn more about the benefits of quitting smoking by taking the Great American Smokeout Challenge, an event organized by the American Cancer Society which takes place on the 3rd Thursday of November. During this day, smokers quit smoking for 24 hours and participate in many activities like bonfires, rallies, athletic events, and talking with other people who are trying to quit smoking. It’s a time during which smokers can receive support and know that they’re not alone in trying to kick nicotine addiction.

Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
02 April

Atkins diet

As someone who has struggled with obesity for most of my life, I’ve tried lots of different weight loss programs, pills, and treatments over the years. I regret to say that I’ve been burned more often than not. I’ve spent a small fortune on weight loss products that didn’t work at all or that worked for a few months before ceasing to be effective anymore. Let me tell you: there’s nothing as devastating as getting my hopes up when I read about the latest diet fad only to see little to no change at all when I step on a scale three months later. The turning point came for me when the Atkins diet came out a few years ago. In the early stages, I held off on trying the Atkins diet because I didn’t want to experience another disappointment. I figured this was just another fad that would blow over in a couple of months, so it was better to save myself the heartache (and some money to boot) by waiting it out. You can imagine my surprise, then, when the Atkins diet didn’t go away. In fact, it got bigger and bigger. It seemed that every time I turned on the television or listened to a radio talk show, there was someone on the air who was espousing the virtues of the Atkins diet. After several months of watching and waiting, I finally decided to give the Atkins diet a try. I have to admit that it was pretty rough going at first. The Atkins diet requires participants to significantly limit their carbohydrate intake. That meant no more bread, pasta, potatoes, or any of the other high-carb foods that I love. But I was determined to give it my best shot, so I followed the plan precisely. Eventually, I started to notice some weight loss. I expected the weight to come back on in a few months, but it didn’t! After a year on the Atkins diet, I actually hit my weight loss goal for the first time in years. One thing that really helped me succeed on the Atkins diet was my decision to seek outside assistance. Rather than try to come up with a variety of entrees and snack foods on my own, I registered with a meal service that catered to people on the Atkins diet. I was able to pick delicious foods from a large menu and have those meals delivered to my home or office on a schedule of my choosing. Because I didn’t actually have to make my own meals, it was much easier for me to stick to my weight loss plan and shed all those pounds. If you’re thinking about trying the Atkins diet, it’s important for you to read as much as possible about the plan and consult with your doctor to make sure that it’s a viable option for you. If you decide to go ahead with it, I recommend signing up with a food delivery service to cover at least a few meals per week. It really makes a difference and can help you enjoy a successful experience with the Atkins diet.

Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
01 April

Alternative Treatments

Alternative treatments have become very popular for a number of health and medical conditions. Traditional medicine is not necessarily the appropriate choice for everyone, which is why naturopathic medicine and alternative treatments and therapies are available as well. Consider something as common as a headache; for someone who suffers from headaches or migraines often, deciding to go with an all new alternative treatment instead of conventional medical therapy gives them the opportunity to treat their discomfort in a more natural way, without side effects common to most headache medicines and pain relievers. I don’t know about you but I would rather choose visiting the massage therapist or chiropractor over taking such prescription drugs like Imitrex, which can produce a number of adverse reactions in some users. How do you know what alternative treatments are out there, and which ones are right for you? I don’t know too many people who haven’t heard of massage and aromatherapy, both of which are great alternative treatment therapies that help cleanse and rejuvenate your body from the inside out. Combining massage and aromatherapy offers the best of two popular alternative treatments. You can choose from a number of essential oils to enjoy during your massage; lavender and sage are traditionally cleansing and relaxation, while essence of citrus, especially mandarin orange is invigorating and energizing. For deep muscle pain, menthol or mint massage lotions provide great relief. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water to flush those toxins out of your body. Massage therapy should be one of your regular alternative treatments, once you get past the initial awkwardness and are comfortable with your masseuse. In addition to massage and aromatherapy, other popular alternative treatments include acupressure, acupuncture, naturopathic medicines, biofeedback, oxygen therapy, music therapy, meditation, mind-body therapy, and chakra-gemstone therapy. Of course, the list of alternative treatments is much greater than the few that are listed here. Some alternative treatments are nothing more than quackery, so do your homework before you get caught up in some far-fetched scam that does nothing for you. For the most part, alternative treatments have proven to be very beneficial according to people who have tried them and have had great results. We as a nation are fast becoming health and fitness enthusiasts who want more than what traditional Western medicine has to offer. Do your homework and choose what alternative treatment will best complement your fitness strategy – here’s to your healthy mind, body, and spirit!


Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
31 March

Alternative Cancer Treatment

Cancer can be a scary thing and it cannot be cured in every case, but there are alternative cancer treatments available that can complement traditional therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and pharmaceuticals that don’t have near the debilitating side effects. In some cases, it is true that the treatment is worse than the disease. Cancer treatments have progressed in the past few years, but most people that undergo traditional cancer treatment experience side effects such as weight loss, lack of appetite, hair loss, or secondary infections that take over due to immune system suppression. These side effects and complications can range from mild to very serious, and depend on a lot of different factors. Each individual has a unique experience with cancer and the treatment regimens prescribed. Some experience horrific side effects, and others tolerate it quite well and suffer very little from treatment, and many don’t even know that alternative cancer treatments are available. Most alternative cancer treatments have few or no side effects and work well as an adjunct to current therapeutic regimens, which is why it is a viable and attractive option to people who are looking for a different approach in treating their disease. Of course, there are many scams and alternative treatment therapies out there that are nothing but placebos, which could do a person more harm than good. If you or a loved one are considering an alternative cancer treatment, be sure to research it thoroughly first before you commit. Keep in mind that most traditional cancer treatment specialists will not have much good to say about alternative cancer treatments and vice versa. This attitude reflects the traditional Western approach to medicine, that diseases must be cured by manufactured pharmaceuticals and toxic chemical treatments only, aside from the fact that these treatment modalities may be more detrimental in the long run and not eradicate the cancer completely. Don’t get me wrong, many cancer patients have had good outcomes using traditional science and cancer treatments, but unfortunately this is not the case for everyone, and what type of hell did these people go through during their treatment, and were they aware of alternative cancer treatments? Alternative cancer treatments are another viable option available to people who suffer from most any type of cancer at any stage. Some people have had amazing results, which isn’t to say that everyone will, but the option is there. For more in depth information on alternative cancer treatments visit www.alternative-cancer-treatments.com, www.quackwatch.org, www.immunemedicine.com, www.cancertutor.com, www.cancer.org, and www.cancersociety.com. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, learn all you can about the all treatment options available, including alternative cancer treatments.


Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
22 March

Cleansing the liver is key to a longer and healthier life

Your liver is the main processing organ to sift out the many toxins and environmental pollutants you’re exposed to every day. Along with the benefits of modern life, there’s a down side. Much of our food contains a Pandora’s box of chemicals, hormones, animal antibiotics and preservative agents which didn’t even exist a hundred years ago. The prolific use of pesticides in our food supply further increase the load on your liver. When the liver becomes overtaxed, these toxins accumulate, eventually circulating in your bloodstream to your ultimate detriment. If only for these reasons, cleansing the liver should be a priority. However, the list of toxins your liver needs to process doesn’t end there. Other substances, of a seemingly more benign nature, which we ingest regularly, tax the liver further. Some examples include caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and prescription medications. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea and sodas must be flushed out by the liver. Excess amounts of caffeine, not sifted out by the liver, find their way to your kidneys, another load on that organ. The caffeine also increases your heart rate. Too much caffeine can cause problems there too. Cigarettes contain a host of chemicals, more work for the liver. Alcoholic beverages present yet another job for your liver. Prescription medications, as well as the so-called ‘recreational’ drugs are filtered by the liver too. You can see what a workhorse your liver is, but workhorses can wear out when pressed beyond the breaking point. Add environmental pollutants and your poor liver is one overworked organ. Hopefully, you are now convinced that cleansing your liver can be a way to increased longevity and generally better health. Here’s a simple formula for cleansing the liver and improving your health over your lifetime. You should perform a liver cleansing regimen at least once, preferably twice a year. 1.Start with a one or two day water and juice fast. Be sure to clear this with your doctor first, to be sure this is safe for your individual health conditions. A short water and juice fast gets the ball rolling, with an initial flush of toxins from your bloodstream and digestive system. 2.You’ll need to get two herbs, which are specifics for cleansing the liver. The first is dandelion root powder. The root of the dandelion plant is a marvelous tonic for cleansing the liver, detoxifying and strengthening the function of this most important organ. Every body-cleansing diet should include this powerful, but safe herb. Dandelion root is also a natural diuretic, so it’s smart to eat bananas and other foods containing potassium, which can be leached from your system along with the excess water. 3.If your liver function is impaired with a condition such as the classic ‘fatty’ liver, use Milk Thistle seed, another eminently safe herb for cleansing the liver, which, while acting as a tonic, also has the proven ability to regenerate liver cells. These herbs are readily available at health food store. Ask the herbalist for guidance on a dosage appropriate for cleansing the liver. An alternating 10 days on, 10 days off schedule is most efficacious. When you’ve completed this liver cleansing program, you’ll feel the difference with increased energy and vigor. Practiced over a lifetime, old age will find you in robust good health.


Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
19 March

Benefits of a Liquid Vitamin Supplement

If you keep up with the latest health news, then you probably already know that the trendiest way to make sure you’re getting all your vitamins and minerals on a daily basis is to drink them. That’s right, forget about taking old-fashioned pills and have a glass of a tasty liquid vitamin supplement instead. If you’ve never heard of these healthy drinks, then keep reading to discover a few of the benefits associated with the products.
When you drink a liquid vitamin supplement, what are you actually ingesting? Well, that depends to a great extent on the particular formula you choose, as there are lots of manufacturers out there and they all have their own proprietary blend. But drinkable vitamins essentially come in the same varieties as tablet form, so you can load up on C, B1, B2, B3, A, D, E, and K. In addition, there are multivitamin mixes available that give you a day’s worth of everything in one eight-ounce serving. And don’t worry about the taste, either. Every liquid vitamin supplement out there comes in a delicious flavor like orange, mixed berry, grape, and strawberry.
So what makes a liquid vitamin supplement better than the pills that we’ve all been taking since childhood? There are actually several advantages to drinking your recommended daily allowance of vitamins rather than just popping a pill. For one thing, most people hate having to deal with those mammoth-sized capsules that always seem to get stuck in their throat — and who can blame them? It’s no fun trying to swallow even one of those things, and if you have to take more than that every day, forget it! Pouring out a cool, refreshing liquid vitamin supplement and sipping the nutrients instead is preferable to a lot of people, especially seniors, small children, or anyone else that has trouble with big caplets.
Another benefit that liquid vitamin supplement drinks have over the traditional form is that the nutrients can be absorbed a lot more quickly and at a better rate. Many health experts have stated that when you consume nutrients in a pill, your body ends up receiving only a fraction of the percentage stated on the label. Though there is some debate as to how much your body does absorb, nearly everyone agrees that it’s not even close to 100 percent — unless you take an expensive, high-end “nutraceutical” instead of generic supplements. The body has a much easier time absorbing liquids, though, which means that a liquid vitamin supplement can actually be better for you.
Some health food stores have a liquid vitamin supplement shelf stocked with the latest products, so if you want to get in on this trend, I suggest shopping at one of these retailers. Otherwise, buying online would be your next best bet. Try these special health drinks for yourself and see if you like them!

Benefits of a Liquid Vitamin Supplement
If you keep up with the latest health news, then you probably already know that the trendiest way to make sure you’re getting all your vitamins and minerals on a daily basis is to drink them. That’s right, forget about taking old-fashioned pills and have a glass of a tasty liquid vitamin supplement instead. If you’ve never heard of these healthy drinks, then keep reading to discover a few of the benefits associated with the products.
When you drink a liquid vitamin supplement, what are you actually ingesting? Well, that depends to a great extent on the particular formula you choose, as there are lots of manufacturers out there and they all have their own proprietary blend. But drinkable vitamins essentially come in the same varieties as tablet form, so you can load up on C, B1, B2, B3, A, D, E, and K. In addition, there are multivitamin mixes available that give you a day’s worth of everything in one eight-ounce serving. And don’t worry about the taste, either. Every liquid vitamin supplement out there comes in a delicious flavor like orange, mixed berry, grape, and strawberry.
So what makes a liquid vitamin supplement better than the pills that we’ve all been taking since childhood? There are actually several advantages to drinking your recommended daily allowance of vitamins rather than just popping a pill. For one thing, most people hate having to deal with those mammoth-sized capsules that always seem to get stuck in their throat — and who can blame them? It’s no fun trying to swallow even one of those things, and if you have to take more than that every day, forget it! Pouring out a cool, refreshing liquid vitamin supplement and sipping the nutrients instead is preferable to a lot of people, especially seniors, small children, or anyone else that has trouble with big caplets.
Another benefit that liquid vitamin supplement drinks have over the traditional form is that the nutrients can be absorbed a lot more quickly and at a better rate. Many health experts have stated that when you consume nutrients in a pill, your body ends up receiving only a fraction of the percentage stated on the label. Though there is some debate as to how much your body does absorb, nearly everyone agrees that it’s not even close to 100 percent — unless you take an expensive, high-end “nutraceutical” instead of generic supplements. The body has a much easier time absorbing liquids, though, which means that a liquid vitamin supplement can actually be better for you.
Some health food stores have a liquid vitamin supplement shelf stocked with the latest products, so if you want to get in on this trend, I suggest shopping at one of these retailers. Otherwise, buying online would be your next best bet. Try these special health drinks for yourself and see if you like them!

Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
16 March

body detoxification program for better health!

If a friend were to tell you that you should implement a body detoxification program and get healthier, you might well think this suggested that your friend thought you had a drug problem! We normally think of ‘detoxification’ in the context of drug rehabilitation programs. However, within the herbal community, body detoxification is a recommended yearly event. Just as you might do spring cleaning in your home to get everything ship-shape after a long winter, your body needs such attention as well.

Here we take a quick look at each body system and show you how to create a schedule  that addresses the removal of toxins. Like a spring cleaning of your home, you can implement a body detoxification program over a period of a couple of months or as an ongoing, year-around regimen. When employing herbs to do this cleansing, it’s best to take just one or two herbs at a time, in an alternating 10 days on, 10 days off cycle.

Where do you find a reliable source of herbs? Successful herbal treatments are dependent on the quality of the product. Find an herb shop or health food store which sells herbs in bulk. This is the most economical route. If you’re not worried about expense, all of the herbs listed here are available in bottles of ready-made capsules. You will save a bundle of money when you buy in bulk and put them in capsules yourself. You can buy a ‘capsule filler’ for about $10, which takes much of the work out of the task. When inspecting a shop that sells in bulk, take a look at the ambient lighting where the herbs are stored. They should be located such that the jars of herbs are not exposed to direct sunlight, which causes deterioration of the herb’s potency and, thus, efficacy.

Now that you’ve found a quality source, which herbs do you need for your body detoxification program?

1.Cleansing your blood is essential. Your blood circulates through all of your body systems, distributing toxins all along the way. Burdock root is arguably the most powerful of blood cleansers in the world of herbs.

2.Your liver handles every toxin that enters your body. Reduce the load on your liver by flushing toxins on a regular basis. Dandelion root and milk thistle seed are your liver’s BFF!

3.Your kidneys process all of the waste from your body, including the bloodstream. When your kidneys are overtaxed, kidney function can be compromised and can lead to a host of problems. Note that this of particular concern to people who have diabetes or suffer from kidney stones. Cranberry juice powder, taken in capsules, is a powerful agent which tones and strengthens kidney function, while increasing its efficiency.

4.Keeping your respiratory system healthy and robust is an essential component of any body detoxification program. A strong respiratory system is better able to fight off flus, pneumonia, bronchitis and viral conditions. Elecampane root is what you need for this purpose. A good all-purpose formula for the respiratory system is a combination of elecampane root and pleurisy root, in approximately an 8:1 ratio. Elecampane root addresses not only the lungs, but the sinuses, gums and provides good antibiotic effect in the case of dental problems, as well as acting as an expectorant. Pleurisy root helps in cases of pneumonia and excess mucus.

5.To optimize your immune system function, echinacea augustifolia root is the herb of choice in your body detoxification program. You may have heard that echinacea, taken at the first sign of a cold or flu, helps your body respond promptly to bacterial and viral invasions, with a quicker recovery rate as a result. It’s a good idea to take echinacea year round, on a 10 day schedule each month.

6.Keep your heart and circulatory system healthy with hawthorne berry powder. Hawthorne berry is a tonic for the heart, with properties which tone the heart muscle, regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while promoting good circulation. Garlic possesses the same regulatory qualities as hawthorne berry and is also a natural antibiotic.

7.Keep your digestive system in good order with scotch broom. As the name implies, scotch broom acts much like a household broom, sweeping toxins which may accumulate in your digestive tract. Turmeric powder is soothing and tonifying to the digestive system, a good partner with scotch broom in a body detoxification program.

These seven components of a thorough body detoxification regimen will reduce your incidence of disease, increase your vigor and can ultimately lengthen your life. Try it yourself and feel the difference!

Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
15 March

Tips on 1000 calorie diet?

A 1000 calorie diet is suitable only for a small person who does not engage in strenuous physical activity.  If a larger person, or a very active person, tried to survive on a 1000 calorie diet they would soon begin to do damage to their bodies rather than helping themselves become healthier and fitter.

So the first step is gaugeing how active you are.  You don’t have to be a work-out freak need more than 1000 calories a day.  If you ride your bike to work, or always take the stairs instead of the elevator, or do any kind of physical labor, the 1000 calorie diet isn’t for you.  If you’re more housebound, or tied to a computer in your cubicle, then it may be something to look into.

Once you’ve determined if the 1000 calorie diet is right for you, it’s time to figure out what to eat.  First off, you have to eliminate dairy products from your menu.  Not only are these high in fat, but they’re extremely high in calories as well.  A single piece of light cheddar cheese is 250 calories – or roughly 2/3s of what you’ll be taking in during a typical meal.  So scratch that off the list.

Also out are fattier meats like beef, pork and dark-meat chicken.  Yes, these also tend to be the tastier meats, but so it goes.  You should also avoid shellfish, which provide higher calories but less nutrition than scaled-fish.

And it goes without saying that you’re avoiding all fried foods.

The key, then, will be to spread your 1000 calorie diet throughout three meals and a snack.  Start in the morning with two hard-boiled eggs and an apple.  Yes, it’s boring, but wouldn’t you expect it to be?

For lunch you’ll want to have a lean protein, like fish (salmon is a good one) or white-meat chicken, and some greens.  Avoid salad with heavy dressings; something like green beans or edamamme better fits your dietary needs.

Have a snack in the mid-afternoon.  A handful of almonds and a fresh piece of fruit should do it – a banana, a peach, whatever you feel like as long as it’s fresh and un-processed.  Make sure that tides you over til dinner, when you’ll again want to have some lean protein similar to your lunchtime meal.  This is also when you can take in some carbs – preferably whole wheat pasta or some such.  Make sure to measure out exact amounts, and you’ll be well on your way to making the 1000 calorie diet a part of your road to healthiness!

Related Blogs

Posted by admin under Uncategorized | Comment now » |
« Previous Entries