Best Antioxidant Rich Foods

  For years research has been uncovering the many benefits of antioxidants. Antioxidants help to combat heart disease, cancer, reduce blood pressure and slow the effects of aging. These small molecules fight harmful free radicals within the body that can damage and kill cells, which cause disease. Although antioxidants can be synthesized within the body, in most cases they must be consumed through your diet. By consuming a combination of whole foods and disease fighting antioxidants you can stave off disease and maintain a healthy optimal functioning body. Read more...

Strengthen Your Core With Stability Ball Exercises

Exercise balls have been around for a long time. You may have seen them at the gym, or you may even have one at your house. Fitness balls have been used by physical therapists and personal trainers alike. The reason this exercise equipment is used so frequently and by so many is because it’s relatively inexpensive and easily accessible, but also because it has such great benefits for the body. Exercise balls focus on strengthening the torso/core to improve complete body function and reduce the risk of injury. Because it is an unstable environment it challenges your muscles, by contracting, to keep yourself from falling off. Additionally, it keeps your spine in proper alignment while balancing upon the ball. Read more...

Relieve Your Stress With Mind Body Exercises

Although most people feel they don’t have time to exercise, or don’t think they need to exercise, what they don’t realize is that exercise is an essential part of a healthy life style. Exercise is key to controlling weight management, protecting against various diseases and stress management. Exercise is a great stress reducer because the body releases endorphins, which are, feel good hormones. When released into the body endorphins increase energy, improve mood and make you feel better, all three of which help to eliminate stress. By choosing an exercise that you enjoy you can further reduce your stress. If you’re nervous, afraid or scared of looking stupid then you can actually worsen your stress rather than diminish it.  Read more...

Stop a Weight Loss Plateau from Occurring

For anyone who has tried to lose weight they know what it’s like to hit a plateau. A plateau is when you continue to exercise and diet at the same rate but the weight stops declining. It’s a horrible feeling to know that you worked so hard, watched your food intake, and not to see the results on the scale. In most cases a plateau can be waited out and results will resume post haste. However, for many dieters a plateau can be discouraging. Read more...

Inflammation, The Body's First Line of Defense

Have you ever experienced red, painful, swelling in a body part? This reaction in the body is called inflammation. Inflammation is a normal response by the body to start the healing process. Inflammation can occur for many reasons and be classified as chronic or acute. Although the body regulates inflammation automatically, chronic inflammation can lead to a host of additional diseases. Therefore inflammation should be closely monitored to make sure it doesn’t persist longer than necessary. Read more...

The Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Your Health

Inflammation is the body’s protective response to irritation, injury, or infection. However, chronic inflammation can be aggravated by excess weight and the food that we eat. Fat tissue secretes chemicals and hormones, which cause and increase inflammation. Foods that increase blood sugar also increase inflammation. This includes processed sugar, high glycemic starches, refined white flours and saturated fats. Therefore when looking to decrease inflammation an anti-inflammatory diet is essential. Avoid junk food, high fats, fast food, and sugars. A diet high in vegetables, low in carbohydrates and saturated/trans fats promotes anti-inflammatory properties.  Here is a list of anti-inflammatory foods to add to your diet. Read more...

Home Hair Care Remedies That Won't Break The Bank

Hair care is a huge market in today society. Salons, stylists and hairdressers make a bundle off of keeping your hair looking fabulous. However, it’s not without a price. Breathe a little bit easer because now there is a way to get salon-looking hair in the comfort of your own home very inexpensively. More often than not items in our own homes can double as hair care remedies such as olive oil, white vinegar and avocados. By using these products you can give your hair the essential nutrients it needs, add volume, boost shine and preserve your natural hair color. Now who doesn’t want that? Read more...

Smoothie Ingredients To Build Muscle & Boost Weight Loss

 

Smoothies are a great way to start your day or even as a snack through at your day.  Additionally, smoothies can be used as a meal replacement for busy people who are on the go.  The great thing about smoothies is that they are loaded with nutritious ingredients that boost brainpower, increase your energy levels, build muscle, burn fat, promote weight loss and help your heart. However, when purchasing pre-made smoothies you don’t know all of the ingredients, added sugars, or extra calorie content to boost your nutritional value and get a great smoothie flavor. The best way to maintain the integrity of your smoothie is to make it yourself. Choose from this list of healthy smoothie ingredients.  Read more...

Get Better Sleep Today

 

Sleeping is a necessary part of life that allows our brains and body to rest and rejuvenate, to keep us functioning at an optimal performance level. When adequate sleep is not achieved then our brain function and body capabilities diminish causing symptoms of fatigue, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and weight gain. So why is sleep so important? During sleep our body is physically repairing and rebuilding cellular damage caused from the previous day. As the body renews, hormones and growth are also regulated. Minimal or inconsistent sleep throws off the bodies entire system this happens all too much causing many people to have trouble sleeping or be sleep deprived on a regular basis. Read more...

Is Your Diet Right For You

The word diet is presumed to mean a specific food constriction to lose weight. However the real meaning of diet in nutritional terms means the sum of food consumed. The meaning of the word diet has been warped over the years giving a misconception. People have been dieting, in the sense of constricting to certain food guidelines, to lose weight for decades. However, specific diets started popping up and have become the new trend in weight loss. Over the last decade we have seen the rise of the Atkins diet, South beach diet, cabbage soup diet, cookie diet, and grapefruit diet and macrobiotic diet as well as companies such as Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, and LA weight loss promoting their diet programs. Although it is possible to lose weight with any of these diets (by restricting calories) in actuality all of these diets are bunk. Read more...