Healthy Living - Improving Your Lifestyle

Nowadays we are all victims of the hectic schedules which include lots of homework, projects, work, house chores among many others activities that intervene with us having an active, healthy lifestyle. Although difficult, it is not impossible to squeeze some time in into our busy schedules and indulge in some type of physical activity. Regardless if you work full-time or if you are a stay-at-home parent, it is imperative to take some time out, relax and improve our way of living. Having a healthy lifestyle doesn't require drastic changes. By making some minor improvements and adjustments in the way you do things, you can alternate the way your life and maximize your performance. The trick to healthy living is making small changes. As small as your physical activity is, it will certainly be better than waking up, going to work, having lunch, getting home, grabbing dinner and slouching on the couch. Any type of activity will start pumping your metabolism and giving you more energy to get your daily duties done. If all you do is go to work and/or school, it is not enough. You need to get rid of that lack of activity, move around and improve your way of living. Once you start getting use to exercising, you can then start adding up some time to your routines and maximize your results. All you need to do is compromise with yourself that you will be making some changes. You don't necessary need to move to another city to improve your lifestyle; you can start right at home. But, if you decide to leave behind the negativity in your life and relocate elsewhere, look up for some extra help. Hiring professional moving services will actually give you more time to focus on yourself. You don't necessary need to get full services. You can actually pack your own belongings and have the movers relocate them to your new home. Walking up and down the stairs and pacing back and forth, will actually help you. You can then let the moving companies handle the actual move of your possessions. You don't want to overwork yourself. Once you move into your new place of lodging, you can keep up with the healthy ways you recently picked on and keep improving your lifestyle. Even if you are not relocating to a new destination, you can make these changes in your place of living and have a happy, healthy, and renovated health style. Some other things you can actually pursue are the following: Keep a balance diet- You will be able to loose unwanted pounds or maintain your figure. Not only that, but you will also be able to improve your health and therefore your lifestyle. Get the exercise you need- As we mentioned before, exercising is the key to a balance life. Get your eight hours of sleep- if you do not get your good night sleep, you will not only be dragging yourself to and from work every day, but you will also be risking your health. Get healthy snacks and bring them to work- instead of running to the vending machine and getting some Cheetos or Doritos, bring your own healthy snacks; you might even keep them in your drawer. Grilled Chicken- If you have to eat at a fast food, this is the way to go. Although the fact that you are eating at a fast food is not healthy at all, at least you are not in-taking that excess of calories.

A Healthy Thyroid Is Essential for Healthy Living

I sometimes sit back and reflect on just how amazing the human body is. Without even thinking what's going on inside we live like we are on autopilot. It feels good to be healthy and have an active life that is enjoyable. Unfortunately for some there are some aspects of the body, even the smallest ones that seem to malfunction, causing things to be a bit off kilter. One tiny area of the body, the thyroid gland, when not functioning properly, can cause some serious issues. An impaired thyroid gland may be caused by a variety of things. For example, a diet that lacks iodine, mental stress, genetic defects, infections, autoimmune disorders, or the side effects of various medications are some of the more common ways that the thyroid gland can become impaired. Thyroids that are not working properly either produce too much or too little hormone. When it overproduces it is called hyperthyroidism and when it produces too little it is called hypothyroidism. Thyroid disease can come about gradually and in a very subtle way. If you can diagnose it early the outcome will be much better and a more normal lifestyle can be achieved. Two of the more common thyroid diseases are Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. Both are autoimmune disorders meaning the immune system attacks normal body cells, viewing them as foreign tissue. Despite these being serious disorders it doesn't mean you can't have an active lifestyle. Gail Devers, an Olympic sprinter, won 3 Gold Medals despite having Graves' disease. What can help prevent thyroid problems? One of the most important things is having a healthy diet. A diet that consists of iodine is essential because it aids the body in producing thyroid hormones. Saltwater fish and other seafood are excellent sources of iodine. If you don't eat seafood often a good way to compensate for the lack of iodine is to include iodized table salt in your diet. Another element that is important to the thyroid is selenium which aids in the thyroid hormone metabolism. Seafood and Brazil nuts, for example, are rich sources of selenium. Additionally, there are two natural products available to assist those with thyroid disorders. Learn more about a natural whey protein with double-bonded cysteine that strengthens the immune system. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are both autoimmune disorders, so this product will play an important role in reversing the effects of these two disorders. Also, there is a vitamin and mineral supplement that contains selenium. Not every multi-vitamin contains selenium so this would be an excellent replacement if you don't eat seafood often. So having issues with your thyroid can be troublesome but don't let it deprive you of a happy life. By maintaining a healthy diet on a daily basis and by staying active will grant you a very enriching and fulfilling life.

Nodular Acne Treatment - Healthy Living For Clearer Skin

People who suffer from acne know that it can vary depending on severity. Unlike mild acne, such as whiteheads, blackheads and pimples, nodular acne appears as a red, swollen dome-like lesion. This kind of acne can lead to a permanent scarring as it affects deeper layers of the skin. Nodular acne greatly affects individuals, not only because of the pain that it brings but the embarrassment of having it. Having acne may cause depression and lower ones self-esteem. Using heavy make-up and too much chemicals applied in the face may causes skin irritation. Make-up may clog pores and can be a contributing factor of having an acne outbreak. Moisturizers and astringents that are used on your skin may have a high acidic content and can further infect the skin and may cause acne breakouts. Hormonal imbalance is one cause of acne. Teens at the peak of their adolescent years usually encounter acne problems. Taking birth control pill can contribute in acne outbreak as well as pregnancy. These stages are known to be the time where the hormones are changing and may cause acne. Eating a lot of sugar can also contribute in the worsening of acne. Sugar contains glucose that can freeze most of the cells in the body. Collagen contains 40% of the protein and is an essential part of the skin. Glucose coats collagen and may reduce its function. Collagen is the source of a soft keratin that is responsible for tightening skin and maintains elasticity. It plays a role in the development of tissue and can improve the circulation of the blood by strengthening the blood vessels. Having a healthy diet will also help contribute to healthy skin. Eating fruits and vegetables that are high in fibers can help keep your skin clear of acne. Water is known to flush toxins in the body eliminating diseases and that includes acne. Water contains anti oxidants that can boost our immunity and hydrates the body. Stress contributes in the flare-up of acne as it produces hormones such as cortisol that can worsen the condition of acne. Hormonal changes in the body controls the production of the oil glands and may produce more oil and the formation of pimples and nodules will begin. Have some time to take rest and breathe. It will help to relieve stress and maintains the hormonal balance in the body. Exercise is a great help in relieving stress. Jogging in the morning and inhaling fresh air or simply walking at night and gazing stars is a great way to help relive stress. Exercise can make you sweat, which in return flushes out unwanted toxins and can contribute in clearing the skin with unwanted acne. Many people try to cure nodular acne with topical treatments and other over-the-counter acne treatments. You should never try to self-medicate when treating this kind of acne. The best nodular acne treatment is by visiting a licensed dermatologist that can check and evaluate the skin condition to prevent infection. Topical and Oral antibiotics may be given to help reduce the inflammation and redness. If the treatment is rather slow and ineffective, the dermatologist might give you alternative methods that address the secretion of the oil glands and may last for at least 15-20 weeks. Having a healthy lifestyle can contribute in the help of clearing your skin. Visit the dermatologist and try to avoid the causes of acne. Acne treatment does not end in prescribed medicine. Having your skin clear will be a result of continually having a healthy living.

Invest in Yourself With These Healthy Living Practices

Are you thriving or surviving? Are you living a life you love or do you feel exhausted most of the time, accompanied with an overwhelming sense that there's just not enough time in the day? Financial gurus tell us to, "pay yourself first" and to immediately place 10% of our income into an account for our future. They say when we invest money into a long-term plan and consistently add to it, the future dividends grow at an exponential rate. This same premise holds true with regards to our health and well-being. When we invest small increments of time and energy over a long period of time into self-care, the returns are also exponential for health and vitality. When investing in your health, it helps to know exactly what you need to do. The following is a list of healthy living practices that will help you increase your energy, health and happiness: 1. Nutrition. Food affects us on so many levels: body composition, mood, energy and immune response. On the cellular level, it's true "you are what you eat". The foods and their nutrients are the raw materials to repair and rebuild our cells. The human body reproduces over 300 billion new cells on a daily basis. That's a lot of opportunity to replace old weak cells with stronger, more resilient ones! With the correct type and quality of nutrients, you can build a stronger and healthier body in no time. 2. Exercise. The body is made to move. In fact, without physical activity, some physiological processes fail to work at all, and others work less than optimally. For instance, the pumping action of the lymphatic system, which facilitates cellular nutrition and waste removal, is improved with physical movement. There are 4 types of exercise that add a dimension to health and fitness: a. Aerobic activity. This is any activity in which you sustain an elevated heart-rate and respiration for an extended period of time, typically over 20 minutes. The benefits of a cardiovascular workout include healthier heart and lungs, improved circulation, digestion, mood, energy, increased immune response and caloric burn. b. Resistance training. Also known as strength or weight-training, many women now understand that lifting weights affects them differently than it does men. For women, their bodies will build more muscle but, unless they decide on a professional career in body building, will never achieve the mass men do. Even small changes in body composition will enhance daily metabolism, burning calories at a faster rate. `Pumping iron' increases range of motion, muscle tone, maintains joint stability and increases muscle strength, bones, tendons and ligaments. c. Flexibility or stretching. As one of the most under-rated forms of exercise, stretching is your best friend, especially as we age. The benefits of increasing our flexibility include alleviating stress and muscle tension; facilitates muscle recovery as well as being a conducive cool-down that maintains and increases range of motion and mobility; improves posture and reduces pain; and enhances circulation and oxygen delivery to muscles. d. Mind-Body. Recently, this type of activity has been achieving popularity in the West. Mind-body exercises are those which require us to place our awareness in our body, posture, breathing and movements. Some examples include active forms like Tai-chi, certain types of yoga and Pilates; while restorative forms include yoga and meditation. When practicing mind-body exercises, expect to experience stress-reduction, improved circulation and energy flow, increased mindfulness and improvement in the benefits and performance in the other forms of exercise listed above. 3. Stress-Reduction Techniques. In today's world, it is nearly impossible to avoid all stress. Actually, some levels of stress are beneficial! However, if stress is not managed properly, it can accumulate in our body and affect us on a cellular level. Eventually, if the stress is not released, it manifests in the form of physical ailments. Besides nutrition and exercise, here are several suggestions to release your stress: a. Eliminate unnecessary tasks, responsibilities and obligations. Learn to say no and know your limits. Much of what we do on a daily basis is unimportant to us and others. b. Journaling. A great way to process feelings is through writing. Many people find it relieving to get their thoughts and feelings on paper and out of their heads and hearts. c. Money-management. Financial stress is typically the number one source of tension for most of us. Taking control of our finances and tying up loose ends in money matters will help free up a lot of wasted energy. Investing in your health is a life-long practice. When you first embark on this journey, it may be a little rough. But when you start small and focus more on consistency, these healthy living practices outlined above become second nature. If you'd like to make it easier for yourself, enlist the assistance of a qualified professional health practitioner to help you along the way. One way to do this is to join group events, like the health and fitness retreat I will be attending in April, 2010. "Retreat to Healthy Living in Barbados" is a week-long event for women looking to develop and enhance healthy living practices. Dr. Stacy Irvine is a founder and co-owner of Totum Life Science, a boutique fitness and health care center in Toronto. Through her work as a chiropractor and strength and conditioning specialist, Dr. Irvine's clientele ranges from beginners, just starting out on an exercise program, to elite and professional athletes, looking for advanced rehabilitation and training program strategies.

Healthy Living With No Acai Berry Side Effects - In Pure Form

Over the last few days I have talked about Acai and the weight loss, health benefits found in the Acai supplements. We learned that the Acai fruit can be used In a variety of ways. Like help with cholesterol packed with antioxidants pretty good supplement. I am personally sold on this superfood, but I do know that every product has side effects. Let's recap where acai berry comes from. Acai is a very Nutritious Fruit like a grape who's home is in the Rain Forest of Brazil. A Integral piece of the local natives diet and economy acai berry side effects can be somewhat similar to eating our grapes. I know you must be asking does Pure acai berry have side effects? I fact of the matter is nope acai fruit in its pure form does not. Let me repeat no side effects in its pure form.This is what Research confirms. Alright so there you have it, but wait most of the acai sold in America is not in pure form. Alright with that said let us take a closer look and learn some of these side effects and how they influence us. There has been research and studies that bring to the light some effects that one most take into consideration. Appetite Reduction- There have been reports that little appetite is experienced. For the people taking the acai for their diet this is not bad news. Ingredients with Acai- some of the side affects in the acai are attributed to the combination of the ingredients the acai berries are mixed with and packaged. You might find caffeine, Chinese herbs, Stimulant Laxatives. * Caffeine is gives you a quick energy spurt and a bad crash. It can cause jitters and is addictive * Chinese Herbs are prone to cause a laxative effect I recommend to take a good look at the label where the ingredients are listed. I know a person at work who is pretty sensitive to guarana. If you are like him avoid taking the acai product that has guarana listed as a Ingredient. Allergic Reactions- If you fall in the category of being hypersensitive to berries in general proceed with caution. It is recommended to take About half of the recommended servings. You may want to talk to your medical doctor to go over some of the types of allergies you have. Diarrhea- has been reported while taking Acai Berry Pills. A small group of the people using the pills. Pure Acai Berry- this is the only acai without side effects except its own demise of a very short life span before it spoils. Pure acai needs to be freeze-dried. A Quick Tip- to Avoiding These Side effects.-The main thing here is to take small portions of acai berry product and that will help your body get use to it. It is recommended to avoid acai berry side effects one should get The best acai (Pure Acai). Yes you should definitely give the Pure Acai a try to avoid any of these side effects. You know I am not sure if GNC carries some of these acai fruit products. I will look into that I know for sure that they are widely available online. You are always welcomes to read some of my past article on acai like the one acai berry power 500, just type in my author name and you'll be up to speed. Remember that the acai berry benefits strongly out weight the side effects. I wanted to mention that I will go into detail on the acai berry scam that are unfortunately out there and how to avoid them. Now my next article I research on the acai berry supreme and will see how I the job that it does as well. Well I hope you see that acai berry side effects are minimal and mostly due to the Ingredients added to the Acai Berry Products. This acai fruit is truly at least in my opinion a super food for a healthy diet, weight loss and body detox. You may want to try the acai berry diet now that a lot of sites have the free trial so you really have nothing lose.

Healthy Water, Healthy Living: Alkalinize First!

Water constitutes about 60-70% of our weight. Thus, we are encouraged by healthcare professionals to drink plenty of water every day. Yet, study after study warns us about the dangers of drinking contaminated water. As we know, municipal water supplies often contain dangerous, carcinogenic substances, chemicals, toxins, and metals, along with doses of chlorine and fluoride to "make it just right" for human consumption. So, armed with the latest water safety concerns, we head out to our grocery stores to purchase clean, purified, bottled water. Some of us add expensive water purifying systems to our wells and to our faucets to ensure safety. We purchase distilled water, sparkling water, artesian well water, mineral water, ground water, de-ionized water, and natural spring water. We rest at ease and feel certain that we've taken care of a major piece of the health puzzle... clean, fresh water. And yet, have we really? The Alkaline Connection A healthy body maintains an alkaline pH of around 7.36 in the blood stream. This involves a dynamic internal balancing act, depending upon how the body is being fueled. Without proper life-enhancing fuel, the body can become acidic and ultimately diseased. But wait a minute - weren't we just discussing water, the fuel constituting nearly 70% of our bodily weight? Yes... healthy people drink clean pH balanced water. All bodily functions are dependent upon the maintenance of an internal alkalinity, and water, water, water, is just about everywhere inside! Consider, in an acidic system: Calcium is pulled from the bones to buffer and keep the blood alkaline. Enter stage left: Osteoporosis. Plaque is produced to protect the arteries, so that acid does not burn a hole in the arteries. Enter stage right: High cholesterol, and Atherosclerosis. And: Yeast and parasitic infections grow beautifully in an acidic environment. Dental cavities thrive in acidity. Cancer cannot grow in an alkaline system. Our Cells Remember that it all starts in our cells. In a healthy state, our body's cells are slightly alkaline. All of our metabolic processes, and the enzymes that initiate chemical reactions in the body, will function at their best in a slightly alkaline environment. Healthy cells contain large amounts of alkaline substances, such as oxygen, bicarbonate, and calcium. In our childhood years, with an abundance of mineral reserves in the bones and healthy kidneys, lungs, digestive function, and blood and tissue buffers, our bodies can more efficiently regulate pH. But by age 40, more and more people are less able to regulate pH changes as efficiently due to lifestyle stresses and depletion of reserves and buffers. There are signs that, in today's rushed and hustle world, this threshold is actually affecting us even at much younger ages. Important Questions If you answer "yes" to one or more of the following questions, you are probably overly-acidic. I have thin, porous bones and poorly developed muscles. I cannot tolerate acidic condiments like vinegar and lemon juice. I am susceptible to heartburn, canker sores, allergies, and sore throats. I do not feel my best when I eat fast food, fried food, red meat, or desserts. I drink more than one cup of coffee or tea a day. I catch colds and flu frequently. I often experience lack of stamina or fatigue, and feel exhausted after vigorous exercise. So how do we get acidic? From emotional stress, excess starches, processed foods, sugar, poor diet, acidic water intake, lack of physical exercise, or a combination of the above. The Test Using inexpensive pH strips, we can measure our pH by saliva or by urine. The ranges for alkalinity are: Mouth: 6.8-7.2 (usually lower in the a.m.) Urine: 6.6-6.8 (usually higher in the a.m.) Restoring pH Balance There are three steps to restoring your acid/alkaline balance: Follow a more alkaline diet consisting mostly of non-starchy vegetables, fruits such as melons and papaya, grains such as millet, amaranth, quinoa, and oats, beans, small amounts of raw seeds and nuts, free-range poultry, and fish. Restore your alkaline mineral reserves. Supplement with calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Nutri-West products like DSF, Hypo-D, Upper GI, Total Enzymes, and Total Veggie may be indicated. Make healthy lifestyle changes. Healthy people drink water, get exercise and fresh air every day, have a passion for their work, build quality relationships, and eat alkalinizing foods. Jump Start Begin consuming an alkaline diet. Drink 4oz of 7.0 pH balanced water every hour throughout the day for three days. This will help you get started on the road to alkalinizing your system. Indulge in relaxing apple cider vinegar baths. Reduce emotional stress. Crush a Nutri-West "Total Veggie" in water and drink first thing in the morning. Add pH drops to water that is acidic. The Alkaline Habit Drink 8 ounces of clean pH balanced water every day before you consume anything. The brain is the first to dehydrate when thirsty - especially during sleep. Whatever hits the brain first sets the stage for the day. For example, without drinking water first, a cup of coffee sends the caffeine directly to the brain. And, the coffee brings reserve energy to the surface. What a waste of fuel! Avoid diet soda - no calories, no fuel, acidic, may slow the body's metabolism by 30% for 12 hours, what a way to gain weight! And, it does not quench your thirst. The Absorption Factor Some say that water companies are adding acidic enhancers to their bottled water to keep you thirsty so you will buy more and more of it. Some say it is for better taste. But know that alkaline water is highly absorbable and thirst quenching and healthy! Feel Good Know that clean pH balanced water is a healing agent. Drink two liters of such water a day, and more with increased physical activity. Avoid dehydration, which contributes to fatigue, mental confusion, toxicity, illness, and disease. Take a stand for your health! And, remember Dr. Taylor's encouraging words: "It's Your Body, Your Health, Your Choice!"

Ten Steps Toward Healthy Living

Healthy living is something that every person should take seriously. But so often do we see people who'd rather spend their money on beauty products and cosmetics than worry about their health, which is obviously more important! Because so many people choose to put more effort into their looks than to living a healthy lifestyle, many preventable conditions, specifically heart diseases, are arising much more frequently than they should. It's time some of us take serious measures to protect ourselves, by making an effort to have a healthier diet, exercise regularly, and strive to live an overall healthy life. If you'd like to make a change and start taking care of your body - most importantly, your heart - here are ten proactive steps that you can take to get on the right track to live a healthier life. 1) Adopt a Healthier Diet: You don't have to start crash dieting to start eating healthier! Rather, you should start taking into account what your putting into your body, versus than how much. Some of the healthiest foods you can eat are whole grains and vegetables. There are so many vitamins and nutrients packed into foods like seeds, nuts and leafy greens that aim to help lower your cholesterol. Cultured soy products and citrus fruits are also heavy hitters when it comes to lowering your cholesterol levels. Foods like garlic and onions can also help when it comes to preventing the hardening of your arteries and blood clotting, which can help stop many forms of cardiovascular disease from occurring. All in all, take into account the nutrition of your food, avoid junk food, and have a balanced diet. 2) Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: Okay, you don't need to be a body-builder in order to lead a healthy life. All you need to do is make an effort to exercise daily. Cardiovascular workouts can include all kinds of activities; even a hour walk around the neighborhood, some light jogging, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can add up to become a worthwhile workout! If you haven't been the most active person for a while, consider starting with small workouts, and progressively build up to harder, and more vigorous strength and cardio training. Like any other muscle in your body, your heart needs regular workouts in order to make sure its healthy and strong. 3) Keep Track of Your Sodium Intake: You don't have to completely forsake all salty foods-- in fact, we need some salt in our diets. But if we consume too much, it can have detrimental effects on our heart and cardiovascular system. Too much sodium can increase blood pressure, and even make it harder for your kidneys to flush out harmful toxins in your body. 4) Watch the Fat: Eating healthy requires watching your fat intake. There are essentially two types of fat: The "bad" types of fat are known as saturated fats, which are derived from animal and vegetable oils. These fats can cause your cholesterol to rise because of their saturated nature. Good types of fats, like flaxseed oil, olive oil, and other types of unsaturated fats can keep your cholesterol at a healthy level and help with weight loss, without sacrificing taste. 5) Keep a Healthy Weight: You don't need to be "skinny" in order to have a healthy weight. Being skinny doesn't automatically make you a healthy person. People come in all shapes and sizes, therefore, what constitutes as a healthy weight can be different for everyone. Using such devices as a BMI calculator, or body mass index calculator, you can find your ideal weight range and work on staying within that range. 6) Lose the Junk: As with the previous steps, the key here is moderation. Every once in a while you can give in to your cravings, but regularly eating processed foods like chips, burgers, and fries can lead to detrimental long-term health effects. Fast foods like these are known to raise your cholesterol levels and clog your arteries, and it's no wonder, considering they're packed with sodium, saturated fats, and sugars. Once again, use common sense and make sure your diet isn't loaded with junk. 7) Good-For-Your-Heart Supplements: Taking daily supplements like L-arginine, I-proline, and I-carnitine, which are amino acids, can help unclog your arteries, improve your circulation, and lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, while also strengthening your heart. Taking such supplements can drastically reduce your chance of cardiovascular disorders. 8) Put Out the Cigarette: Quitting smoking may not be easy, but it can have serious benefits for your health. Through pure will and determination, you CAN stomp this addiction out-- plus, you definitely owe it to your body to stop. Smoking can lead to four times the likelihood of a person having a heart attack, not to mention other serious adverse health effects. 9) Get Some Shut-Eye: Sleeping can actually reduce your chances for some serious health effects. Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston recently conducted a study that showed that getting less than five hours of sleep a night develop a 30% greater likelihood of risk for heart attacks. So make sure to get adequate Zzz's! 10) Lay Off the Alcohol: Excessive drinking can lead to an increase in blood pressure, significant weight gain, and serious damage to vital organs in your body such as your heart and liver. Its okay to have an occasional cocktail - just limit yourself to less than two servings per day, and you'll be on your way to a healthier life.

Healthy Living and Eating

Living Healthy, Eating Properly and Living Longer! We have hundreds of books, articles, blogs, etc. available to us on the subject of living healthy and eating properly. However looking at the statistics in North America we cannot detect anything that would indicate that anyone is actually heeding the advice. Granted, some of the info out there is complicated and confusing, but some of it contains good and useful info,some of it has too much and lots of useless info, and some of it is outright wrong and could be harmful. Like everything today, we must be able to sort out the good and useful information and discard and disregard the others. First I would like to state here: we would hardly need a doctor or medications. Look at wild animals as an example, there are hardly any sick ones out there! WHY? well, they live and EAT HEALTHILY! For the most part we do not, in our modern world, have much influence over our environment like contamination, pollution etc., and nobody could come and suggest that living in a big city is becoming to our health. Other than moving to a pristine location there are other things we can control to help us live healthier. REDUCE STRESS: now here we can actually learn to cope better, train ourselves to be more patient, exercise, yoga to mention a few. then comes FOOD and DRINK, all the stuff that we put into our bodies! Let us use some logic here: The way we eat and what we eat has changed very drastically in the last few thousand years. BUT folks, our body and digestive system did not change. We all know about evolution and adaptation ( Darwin) and it takes many thousands of generations to 'accomplish' any changes, works well for insects and other critters with short lifespans, but our bodies and the digestive system did not have enough time to adopt to our modern ways of eating. We are stuck with a body and a digestive system that is thousands of years behind our modern eating habits and we are better off if we start catering to the system we actually have! So let us try to imagine what our ancestors a few thousand years ago ate and how they ate. Originally all they had was wild fruits and something we could regard as vegetables. If we ate only fruits and vegetables RAW, we would get sick a lot less, and let us not kid ourselves, we actually can, and some of us do and have less health problems. Eventually grains got added, and then meat. But all was consumed raw until we learned to manage fire, and...it went downhill from there, most enlightened nutritionists today will say: "the worst thing that happened to food was cooking". Now, let's look at the way HOW they did eat that stuff: When they had berry season in one area (for example), everybody ate berries, every day for weeks or more sometimes. Now, that is easy for a digestive system to cope with, like our stomach needs to produce only very specific digestive "juices", enzymes etc. When they had a kill of some animal, they were eating meat, sometimes for days, again, very specific digestive "items". But they did not have hors d'euvres and/or soups first, then meat and carbohydrates together, and then something else all together for desert, they did not mix all sorts of different food stuffs as we do today in a normal meal. And that is a part of our problem, the mixing or combining of foods. WE ARE MAKING THE WRONG COMBINATIONS! Let us assume for a moment that we are not vegans or vegetarians, and that we do eat meat. Ok, it is the meat we should eat first, just the meat by itself, definitely without carbohydrates, so our stomach can "focus" and get all the right and specific digestive juices ready, especially Hydrochloric Acid. Meat is one of the most difficult, from our stomach's point of view, one of the most labor intensive foods to digest. The carbohydrates need to be eaten separately, at least 35 to 45 minutes later. We can however, combine proteins and carbohydrates with raw fruit or vegetables, we call this "life food" and it comes complete with its own digestive enzymes. Easy to see that vegetarians are in many ways better of. So very important: EAT YOUR FOODS IN THE RIGHT SEQUENCE AND THE RIGHT COMBINATION! It is obvious that organic foods are preferred, even though some changes to the US government's regulations as to what can be called ORGANIC partially eliminates our possibility to rely on labels, best to know some producers. It is a known fact that the average person in North America eats too much, especially too much at one time. Eat small meals more often, six times a day is good, snacks are best from fruits, nuts etc. The foods to stay away from of course are all the prepared meals, the processed stuff, read labels and buy food without or at least with a minimum of chemicals. The worst food stuffs are simple carbohydrates; they, together with low fiber intake, are the main cause of the diabetes epidemic we are currently witnessing. The other big problem are soft drinks especially the ones that contain artificial sweeteners (low or no sugar) very health threatening. In future articles we shall look at some of these items in more detail. Summary 1) live in the healthiest environment you can 2) learn to cope and deal with stress 3) eat little often 4) eat proteins and carbohydrates separately 5) combine only with raw life foods 6) stay away from simple carbohydrates 7) stay away from soft drinks, especially the ones with artificial sweeteners.

Healthy Living for African Christian Women - Spirituality, Lifestyle and Medicine

Introduction Health is defined as physical, mental and emotional well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. It is the total feeling of wellness in body and in mind. 3John 1:2 says "Beloved, I pray that you may get along well in every way and may enjoy good health just as your soul is prospering". The peculiar economic challenges and emergence of infectious diseases makes healthy living quite a task. As Christian mothers we must make conscious effort to lead our Christian lives in ways most beneficial, not only to our health, but also to those of our husbands and children. Content * Healthy Lifestyle choices * Personal Hygiene * Use of Health care facilities * Stress management * Spirituality * Menopause * "Jedi-Jedi" 1 Healthy Lifestyle choices The choices we make regarding everyday living, is a strong indicator of health. In 1Corinthians 6:19 the bible says "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you do not belong to yourselves? For you were bought and paid for; then give God the glory with your body". It is therefore not only for our sakes that we should make healthy choices, but it is also a biblical obligation to live right. Lifestyle choices are made in term of diet and exercise. A. DIETARY CHOICES Genesis 9:3 "every living, moving thing shall be yours for food; I have given it all to you like the vegetables." There has been a lot of debate on what people should eat and what not to eat. Some will say don't eat meat, some say don't eat salt, but the most important thing is to understand that it is not about what to eat or what not to eat, but a matter of MODERATION. The following are tips to help you make healthy choices as regards nutrition. 1. As regards breakfast: - Take light meals in the morning - Take at least 2 classes of food e.g. carbohydrate + (Vegetable, protein, fruits, etc) for example: yam and garden-egg sauce 2. As regards cholesterol and low density lipids (LDL) - Just before you buy your next vegetable oil, make sure you check for the sign, - "low cholesterol" or "Zero cholesterol" - Never over-eat EGGS, in our society eating eggs may be perceived wrongly as an indication of wealth. Eggs are good but we should limit it to at most 1 per day or 3 eggs in a week - Reduce consumption of fried meals, and if you must fry use as less oil as possible. 3. Avoid overcooking your vegetables - a lot of micronutrients cannot tolerate the heat. 4. Salt, Sugar and Honey - Like earlier noted, moderation is the important thing. As We advance in age it becomes beneficial to use salt in moderation, also certain food sweeteners are better used with caution. For those minding their blood sugar e.g. Diabetic women, it is important that you are mindful of refined sugar, however it is very important that we know that most of our staple meals are loaded with sugar. Food like Pounded Yam, cassava, etc so, what then are we to eat? if all these meals are sugar ladden. The answer is simple - 'MODERATION" we tend to serve our cassava or pounded yam in very generous quantities, it is advised that we change that, serve just a handful of your staple meal, with generous amount of vegetables, crayfish, fish, meat etc This will supply enough carbohydrate with other nutrients without unnecessarily increasing your sugar level. Honey is good; you could try it but remember everything must be in moderation. 5. Fruits Fruits Fruits We are blessed with varieties of fruits; there is always a fruit in season. It will be most beneficial if you can take a fruit with every meal, yes!every meal. And I don't mean bottled over-processed fruit juices, take only fresh fruits they are cheaper and full of benefits. B. EXERCISES As we age strenuous activities are best avoided but moderate exercises have benefits, Short distances can be walked when it is not too sunny. 2. Personal/ Environmental Hygiene The importance of hygiene is well understood and need no emphasis, proper grooming and cleanliness gives you a feeling of freshness and goodness. Clean people don't fall sick often. Environmental hygiene is also a big issue, at times because of our busy schedules, the home is left untidy, making our homes a breeding site for rats and insects. Rats, cockroaches etc find it too easy to pass diseases to us and our children If you can't clean up the home every day, find at least 2 times in a week to clean up. Get rid of stagnant water and nearby bushes to rid your home of mosquitoes. Do not be careless about the source of drinking water for the family, as much as possible never patronize food vendors, COOK FOR YOUR FAMILY. 3. Use of Health Care Facilities While Faith is important to us as Christians we should not fall into the class of misguided brethrens who perceive the use of health facilities as lack of faith, remember that Saint Luke was a doctor. A. Regular check up - Regularly check your blood pressure, it saves life. - Visit your doctor for check up at worst once a year B. Important medical tests for women: prevention is better than cure! - Breast examination: breast cancer can be detected early and better treated. When you bathe feel your breast for lumps, abnormal color or discharge. Stand before a mirror and compare the two breasts for any difference. If you notice anything abnormal see your doctor! - PAPS test or Papanicolau smear test: this is done to screen for cervical -cancer, another disease that ravage our female population. It is a life saver and we are encouraged to go for the test. C. ANTENATAL CARE When pregnant visit the maternity as soon as possible D. FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES - the present economic conditions make family planning a wise decision. You will be surprised when you visit any family planning centre, at the vast methods available, you will be informed and are likely to find one suitable for you. Remember it is better to have children that you can cater for, than having a lot that you cannot care for. Family planning help plan the size of your household and also give you rest of mind and an opportunity to have a blissful and enjoyable marriage. 4. Stress Management Matthew 6:25-34 "I tell you therefore, do not worry about your living-what you are to eat or drink, or about your body, what you are to wear. Is not the life more important than its nourishment and the body than its clothing?... ...34 Do not worry therefore, in view of tomorrow for tomorrow will have its own anxieties. Each day's peculiar troubles are sufficient for it." One major benefit that faith affords us as Christians is that we could be free of worry, if we truly believe that our God is sufficient. When we put ourselves under needless stress, we make ourselves liable of high blood pressure and mental illness. Proverbs 14:30 says "A relaxed mind makes for physical health; but passion is rottenness to the bones". 5. Spirituality I strongly believe that there is a strong link between spirituality and health. Jeremiah 8:22 "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician? Why, then, has the health of the daughter of My people not been restored?" it is clear that no drug can substitute the peace of mind and health that a perfect relationship with God gives. The bible says (ASV 2 Chronicles 7:14 ) if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. The secret of divine health is in His promises to his children, the book of Amos says "can two work together except they agree" I encourage you all to trust God fully and He will renew your strengths. 6. Menopause This is a period in a woman's life at which menses diminishes and stops, usually between the ages of 45 and 50. Women often experience some discomfort which may vary on individual basis. Hot flashes or hot flushes range from a passing feeling of warmth in the face and upper body to extreme sweating and visible redness of the skin. As estrogen level drops in the blood, the vaginal walls become dry making coitus very painful and sometimes undesirable. Decline in sexual interest during menopause may also be psychological. Psychological symptoms may include depression, mood swings, weepiness, and other emotional flare-ups, as well as memory lapses...Stressful life events that may contribute to the emotional symptoms at the time of menopause include children leaving home and general mid-life crises. When the symptoms are unbearable you should visit your doctor. Treatment available is known as (HRT) Hormone replacement therapy, but the benefit must be weighed against the risks,which includes - increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.But in most cases, women's personal perception of menopause may also affect symptoms, they are often tolerable when we have the right mindset. Other ways of reducing negative effects of menopause include eating a healthy diet, taking vitamin supplements, stop smoking, reduce caffeine and alcohol, reducing sugar and salt intake. Exercise helps to alleviate menopausal symptoms 7. "Jedi-Jedi" This is a term among the Yorubas of West Africa, used to loosely refer to a number of often unrelated symptoms, and generally judged to be due to consumption of sugar or sweet things. I must say clearly that this is just one of the numerous health misconceptions and misinformation in our society. These symptoms like backache, passage of loose stool, pile and hemorrhoids etc are most likely not related talk-less of resulting from consumption of sweet things or sugar. If you feel unwell, please visit your doctor. Stop engaging in unwise use of herbal concoction for a disease that does not exist. Herbal concoctions are very dangerous. They can destroy very vital organs, we see a lot of liver cancers in our hospitals and even among women who don't drink alcohol and the commonest cause that come to our mind is herbal concoction. The bible says "My people Perish for lack of knowledge" Conclusion Jeremiah 30:17 says "For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord, because they have called you an outcast, "It is Zion, for whom no one cares!" Jeremiah 33:6 says "Look, I will bring to her restoration and health; and I will heal them and reveal to them an abundance of peace and prosperity. It is my prayer that as we continue to trust God, He will continue to grant unto us good health.

Healthy Living Is a Prerequisite for Success

Nearly 300 years ago, a British physician, preacher and intellectual by the name of Thomas Fuller said, "Health is not valued till sickness comes." Such sage historical wisdom still holds true today. Those who hope to achieve the highest heights in the 21st Century economy need to take care of something as simple as personal health. Making a commitment to healthy living is a prerequisite for success. But it's not only physical health that matters. Those who enjoy long-term success realize that their personal lives must be in order. That means you should care for your mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and financial health as much as the health of your career. It is very difficult to be successful at work when your personal life is a mess. If your marriage is dysfunctional, it's hard to focus on high-level career achievement. If you lack a set of core beliefs, you may not be able to create philosophy of life that guides you to some great achievement. If you are barely keeping your financial head above water, you don't have the financial ability to take on entrepreneurial endeavors. Whatever the problem, you will be more successful in all facets of life if you take care of things at home. A good attitude does wonders for your success. Think positive thoughts and constantly reinforce yourself in your own mind. As Norman Vincent Peale taught us in his famous book, The Power of Positive Thinking, you can cause successful outcomes by forcing yourself to be optimistic. After you adopt a positive attitude, there are several other things you can do that will make you a healthier person. If you have a faith, I recommend you practice it. Believing in and answering to a higher power has an amazing affect on career success. Prayer, meditation or whatever you choose to call it, purges the toxins from your mind and gives you strength and confidence. After faith comes family. No matter how ambitious you are, your family should be one of your highest priorities. Do whatever it takes to protect your familial relationships. If things ever get really tough, you want to be able to depend on those who share your blood. Stick up for your family members and look out for their interests. In the long run you will be far richer if family comes before career. Close friends are almost as important as family. A long-time friend who truly understands you is worth his or her weight in gold. Put the important people in your life on a pedestal and make them your priority. If you go out of your way to put people first, you will have more business opportunities than you can handle. Because family and friends are so important, you should adopt an attitude of acceptance. Let them be who they are and enjoy them in spite of all their flaws and weaknesses. Forgive them any time they wrong you. Bite your tongue, when you feel like saying something hurtful to a friend or family member. These relationships are so important, that it's foolish to put them at risk over some temporary passion. While relationship-building contributes to career success, so does physical health. You don't have to be an obsessive gym rat, but being in shape and consuming the right nutrition gives you more energy and stamina. Keep your home life organized. Make sure your house is generally clean and tidy. Have a good system for organizing your bills and other important papers. Develop systems and routines for the simple, daily things. If you run a tight ship at home, you will have time for important things. After all, it's awfully hard to conquer the world if you're constantly misplacing your car keys. Hobbies and recreation are also parts of a healthy life. Having enjoyable stimulation outside work recharges your battery and contributes to creative thinking. Just don't go too hog wild with your hobbies. Some people get so deeply involved in hobbies that they hurt their job performance and drain their bank accounts. Speaking of bank accounts, personal financial discipline is part of a healthy lifestyle. Just as you need to get your body in shape, you need to shape up your financial condition as well. A long time ago, philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line." There has always been a portion of the population that has chosen to live on the edge of the financial abyss, recklessly spending all they have, investing little or nothing. Unfortunately, that portion of the population has been growing rapidly, and it's becoming quite a problem. Living a financially reckless life will eventually catch up with you and hurt your career. If you have no savings, you have no "go-to-hell-money," the power to walk away from a job or a client when you're not happy. A lot of financial debt can prevent you from taking some lower paying job that might actually make you happier. For every minute you spend worrying and fretting about how you will make ends meet, you are taking away time from your grander goals. It sounds so elementary, but it's worth a reminder. Live a balanced and healthful life in order to reach the top. That said, let's end with one disclaimer: don't be obsessive-compulsive in your quest for a healthy lifestyle, because as comedian Redd Foxx said, "Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing."

Natural And Healthy Living With African Mangoes

Many Americans are obese. Ninety percent (90%) of them are in fact wondering why they reached that stage without noticing it. Three-fourths (3/4) of them are now looking for weight loss solution that claims to make them lose weight in just a few days. Dietary supplements as well as diet pills such as Acai berry, african mangoes and weight loss treatments such as liposuction are on the rise as the result of unhealthy lifestyle practices. Thin people are also not safe. It is a known fact that even if one is lean and looks healthy that he or she is not safe from health complications. Thin people can experience high blood pressure or heart attack and other medical conditions especially if one also smokes and eat fatty foods. Stress can also play a major factor. Combining the mentioned factors can affect one's health and decrease one's lifespan. Currently, obesity, diabetes as well as heart problems are the top silent killers in the world especially in developed countries. Saving Yourself Although the clamour for organic and natural foods are on the rise, sadly, it is much easier to buy take outs than cook foods that are healthy and nutritious. Even though we would rather spend time with our family and kids and play sports or do outdoor activities, earning money is of utmost priority to ward off financial obligations. How then can one lose those extra pounds without having to result to liposuction and other risky weight loss surgical operations? Taking dietary supplements that are organic and natural for one can make a difference. The latest in the natural and all organic dietary pills is the African Mangoes diet pills that are popular in the weight loss industry today. Endorsed by well-known celebrities as well as news channels, African mangoes shoot to popularity overnight. African Mangoes Diet Pills Composed of 100% seed extract from the African mango in Cameroon, Africa, the diet pills manufacturers say only contain the purest form of the mango fruit encapsulated. The mango fruit is popular in Africa and considered as your local fruit. Abundance of the fruit in the area plus the known medicinal properties of this variety of the mango makes it a perfect candidate for research and clinical studies. Researches by local and international medical groups as well as universities show the weight loss properties of the fruit. Test groups shows significant weight loss during the duration of the test. The seed extract, the main ingredient of the diet pills, has enzymes that trigger the hormones of Leptin and Adinopectin in the body preventing the hunger signals from reaching the brain. Suppressing appetite naturally prevents the person from overindulging or overeating. Another clinical study reveals that the dietary capsules can trim down body fats most especially belly fats. Belly Fats also known as pot belly for men is a good sign of the potential risk of the person to have heart attacks or high blood. African Mangoes also affect a person's metabolism in a good way. The diet pills acts in harmony with our body's metabolic rate thus increasing one's energy level. The pill is a good source of fiber that aids in removing the toxins and cleansing the colon. Another benefit that one gets is that it helps lower the cholesterol and LDL levels. In just as little as 28 days, the product promises obese people can lose weight as well as improve their lifestyle. Of course, side effects are also taken into consideration before the product is launched for public consumption. The growing positive results show that the diet pill is indeed a modern miracle solution to obesity.

Natural Hair Care Products For Healthy Living

Natural hair care products that are free from SLS, Pegs and sulphates are in big demand. Hair care is going au natural, boasting of herbal ingredients and natural oils. Herbal shampoos and conditioners promise to keep hair healthy and do not strip away natural oils that protect them. Organic hair care is the new wave of hair product to enter the hair market. Although many would swear by the more commercial brands as being more effective, there are those who are happy to sacrifice foam for ferns! Natural hair care made with herbs and butters, essential oils and aromatic waters will not foam as more mainstream product would do. The natural detergents are much gentler on the hair and may not lather as well but rest assured they cleanse just as thoroughly and do not strip the hair of its natural oils which are the best part. Cold pressed and unrefined oils whether nut oils, seed oils, flower oils and more, seem also to be a huge demand for both hair and skin care. This is massaged three to four times a week into the scalp and left overnight or even for a few days to nourish and replenish the hair and scalp. Jojoba oil is wonderful oil for hair too, and is particularly popular for Afro hair, as is Shea butter. The Really Good Hair oil has been formulated with an effective blend of five nourishing oils. It contains the well-known Argan and Virgin Coconut oils known for their hair strengthening properties. This has been blended with the vitamin E rich Avocado oil and Sweet Almond oil to replenish and restore its shine and moisture. The most important herb in this blend is the Ayurvedic triple infused herb Brahmi and Neem. Brahmi is very rich in antioxidants and helps boost hair growth and hair discolouration. Brahmi is able to nourish the hair roots and promote healthier growth and Neem will promote a healthier scalp and is extremely beneficial for thinning hair. Fragrances like the gorgeous Indian Jasmine essential oil, the Really Good Hair oil is a superb combination of the very best oils are used to ensure your hair is left beautifully conditioned, healthier and stronger. The process of massaging the oil into the hair is also most important as this is where you can help stimulate hair growth and rejuvenate the hair follicles. Indian head massage is a treatment where the masseuse applies oils for you and is part of many spa menus these days. Whilst massaging hair oil, be sure to part your hair and distribute the oil equally to all parts of the scalp, from the back to the crown and to the temples. Another great tip is to wrap a steaming hot towel around the head; this opens the follicles and the oil seeps in deeply. Warm oil is also preferable to cold oil as this sinks into the skin much more easily and provides a very therapeutic sensation too.