SLIM DOWN FACTORS

HERE is an article with 4 factors you have to consider if you are trying to lose weight and live an overall healthy lifestyle.

Summary:

1) Daily calorie intake (exercise and keep a food journal for at least a week. The results can be pretty eye opening!)

2) Maximum heart rate (use this formula: 208 - 0.7 x Age = maximum heart rate. You should be BELOW this number when you exercise)

3) Target heart rate (50-85% of your maximum heart rate. Just multiply your MHR by 0.5-0.85)

4) Body fat percentage (check out THIS POST for links to calculators for BMI. Women should have a BMI of 18-25)

SUPER SNACKS FOR THE WEEK

Here a some more snacks to help you eat right during the upcoming week!

CRAVING SALTY?
* Try air-popped popcorn drizzled with a little olive oil and some sea salt. Absolutely delicious and so much healthier than chips!

CRAVING CREAMY AND CHEESY?
* Try Annie's brand mac & cheese (look for whole grain organic) made with non-fat yogurt. I make half of the pasta in the microwave (cover with water and cook 4 minutes for al dente) and save the rest for future dishes. All natural, low calorie, and great for cheese cravings.

CRAVING CHOCOLATE?
* Try fresh berries dipped in fat-free sugar-free instant chocolate pudding made with fat-free milk or soymilk (berries covered in some light whipped cream are also pretty delicious). You can buy the pudding at any local supermarket and the berries add sweetness to the bitter of the chocolate. Low fat and calorie and satisfies the craving! You can also go all the way and make a parfait with the pudding, berries, and angel food cake. I'm drooling just thinking about it...

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

I recently read an article in Natural Health Magazine that explained those numbers you see on produce at you local supermarket.

To decode your delectables, use the following:

* If the number starts with a 9, it's organic

* Starts with a 3 or 4, it's conventional produce

* Starts with an 8, it's genetically modified

Happy shopping!

CALORIE BLASTER

HERE is an article with 6 ways to burn 600 calories! Do six of the workouts over the next week and you can lose an entire pound. Simple and effective!

Pictured in this post is my favorite workout from the article... probably because you don't need a gym or equipment to do it. Whatever you have at home, including a pair of running shoes, will work for this one.

Great way to mix-up your workout routine when you've hit a plateau!

REGULAR IS BETTER

HERE is an article citing studies that show sporadic, intense, cardiovascular exercise can be dangerous in unfit people.

The overload of free-radicals created by intense cardiovascular exercise (heart-rate at 85% capacity for more than 10 minutes) on an unfit body can cause serious chemical damage.

A snippet:

" "If you are into high intensity exercise, you should work your way up to it and not simply just plunge in."

The research team used two groups of volunteers, giving one group a mixture of antioxidants, and the other a placebo.

After a week of taking the tablets, the groups were put through their paces on a treadmill and went through routine medical tests.

Blood analysis revealed that the exhaustive aerobic exercise caused damage to important DNA and lipid molecules.

"Cellular damage was induced by the exercise. But we found that the group who were on the antioxidants had been protected to some extent," said Dr Davison.

"Natural antioxidants can be found in a balanced diet consisting of foods such as broccoli, spinach and berries.

"A key lesson is: if you are involved in strenuous aerobic exercise, make sure your diet is rich in antioxidants -- because they will protect against damaging your health." "

Moral or the story: Start slow and eat a balanced diet! If you are going to train for endurance events, keep a regular workout schedule and stick to it.

SAY NO TO POST-WORKOUT PILLS

HERE is an article with new research that shows taking vitamins after a workout might be a bad thing!

The basic science: taking antioxidant vitamins after exercise negate the effects of free-radicals, things that cause oxidative stress on the cells of our body. Free-radicals have been linked to many diseases, like cancer, but apparently the free-radicals produced during a sweat session may increase your body's sensitivity to insulin, which is a good thing!

I guess as the saying goes, "all things in moderation".

Free-radicals in excess create disease. Free-radicals in small amounts, like from moderate exercise, can be beneficial.

THE PROS TELL ALL

HERE is an article with some diet tips from some top trainers and nutritionists. Most of them are pretty good and all of them are accurate!

Summary:
1) Have fruit for breakfast (start your day healthfully and your likely to continue it for the rest of the day)
2) Have dairy throughout the day (it has been shown to increase overall weight-loss. If you're vegan, don't fret! Focus on eating more veggies to decrease the calorie count and increase your overall nutrition)
3) Eat carbs before sundown (eat your carbs earlier in the day so you can utilize them throughout the day and prevent any excess from being stored as fat)

4) Stand to boost calorie burn (stand when lifting weights and stand more during the day)

5) Hop, skip, and jump (try varied workouts, like skipping and jump roping, instead of continuous repetitive motion workouts like treadmill running and elliptical machines. You'll get to use muscles you might not even know exist!)

6) Give yourself a curfew (go to bed earlier to prevent hunger and late-night snacking)

7) Gross yourself out (when having a craving, think about a food that grosses you out. It can help to stop the urge)

8) Have an amazing race (try a circuit workout with 6 different activities 5 times for a total of 30 minutes. Make sure to choose full-body exercises like squats and push-ups)

9) Walk more (increase your daily walking 2,000 steps to burn an extra 100cal/day)

10) Decrease your sodium intake (to prevent excess water weight)

11) Get more sleep

POWER PANTIES

HERE is an article about a line of shape-wear underwear that have been proven in clinical studies to reduce the appearance of cellulite when worn for 6 hours a day (aka while you sleep). They reportedly have small crystals in the fabric that rub against your skin, producing a small amount of heat that is then stored by the crystals, increasing the metabolism of the surrounding cells via the increase in temperature. Interesting theory...

80% of the people who wore them reported a reduction in cellulite! Now I wont believe this until I see it, but at $45 or less, I just might give it a try!

You can find them HERE

NOT SO HEALTHY HABITS

HERE is an article on habits that you may consider healthy but may be doing more harm than good!

Summary:

1) I rarely miss a day at the gym
-Every body needs a break! Take at least a day a week to prevent overuse injuries and to let your muscles heal.

2) I don't eat sweets
-Eliminating candy is fine, but if you put ANY single food ingredient (in this case: all forms of sugar) completely off limits, you're likely to build a craving and ultimately binge. Moderation is key! And try to eat natural sugars like honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, or stevia.

3) I've gotten my body fat down to 18%
-Obsession and extreme thinking will only lead to increased anxiety and decreased happiness (18% is the lowest limit of what is healthy for an adult female). Not to mention your body needs fat to protect organs and keep normal body processes functioning properly! Instead of focusing on numbers, focus on how you feel, how your body fits into your clothes, and the bigger picture of your overall happiness. You are a human being! Not a number! Treat yourself like one :)

4) I've cut way back on carbs
-Carb restriction may lead to temporary weight loss, but it usually isn't sustained and it's unhealthy for you body. Just like fat and protein, YOUR BODY NEEDS CARBOHYDRATES! In fact the only form of fuel your brain can utilize is CARBS, so save yourself the frustration of memory difficulties and weight re-gain. The TYPE of carbs is more important than carbs themselves. Go for whole-grain and pass on refined.

5) I've stuck it out, regardless, in my relationship
-It is unhealthy to force yourself to continue involving yourself in something that makes you unhappy. The stress from the relationship can lead to health problems and can prevent you from having a positive self-image. Your NEEDS should always come first in life (not your wants) and happiness and quality of life should be first on that list! Don't ever sacrifice who you are for another person or an ideal.
NOTE: Compromise is part of being in a relationship, but when you stop being able to be yourself that's when it's time to go. Just make sure to CLEARLY make your needs known to the other person, giving them the chance to turn it around before you bolt.

STOP WEEKEND SABOTAGE!

HERE is an article about how to stop yourself from binging on the weekends. With more social activities and free-time on your hands, the weekend can lead to mindless munching and ultimately it can sabotage your weight-loss and healthy-living efforts.

NOTE: While I may post many weight-loss related articles on this website, it is important to realize that 1) the goal of weight-loss is overall health and wellness, 2) you should be able to love yourself, just the way you are, and eating well/exercising should only be the icing on the cake. If you do have problems with body image and obsessive eating habits, talk to somebody! Take care of yourself... body, mind, and soul :)

PLATE FOR PORTIONS

HERE is an article about the new "diet plate" that is on the market (pictured in this post). The author tried the plate in real life, but a study was also conducted showing that people who used the diet plate were more likely to lose weight than those who didn't.

Why does this plate work? Very simple: PORTION CONTROL! It helps you to see repetitively what a normal serving of certain foods is. For some people, this is quite the shocker since portion sizes at restaurants are enormously larger than what you should be eating. However, with repetition you'll start to recognize normal portion sizes even when not using the plate, helping you to set aside any excess calories at the restaurant for your doggie bag.

Poor but still want to try this out? Create your own plate! Go to a local pottery painting class or buy some paint and a plain plate yourself.

Also helpful:
*A serving of lean protein should be the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand
*A serving of starch/grains should be the size of your balled fist (when looking at your fingers... if you include the entirety of your hand that is 2 servings, or 160 calories)
*A serving of vegetables is two balled fists
*A serving of fat is HALF of a butter pad you find at local restaurants (2 servings in a whole pad, or 100 calories)

CUT OUT THE FAT, SAVE THE FLAVOR

HERE is an article about cooking with juice instead of butter or oil. Very cool! Allows you to add tons of flavor to sauces and stir-fry without adding a ton of calories or fat!

Remember to READ LABELS and stick with 100% juice, preferably not from concentrate and preferably organic!

What I will be trying tonight: Pomegranate juice reduced and used as a sauce for veggies and tempeh.

AWESOME WORKOUT

Stuck indoors thanks to spring showers? Try out the workout below! Don't take breaks and use a weight that challenges you but allows you to complete the workout (for example, I normally lift with 10-12 pound weights for my arms, but for this workout I'll use 8-10 lbs). Get that bikini body in no time while increasing your muscle mass and overall health!

SUPER SNACKS FOR THE WEEK

Below are some healthy snack alternatives to try for the week. Next week I'll give a new list so you don't have to worry about getting bored with your new eating plan!

CRAVING SWEET AND CREAMY?
- Greek Yogurt (Fage is best!) with Honey on top. Don't mix it in, it's best when left separated.
- Vegan? Try Creamy Soy Yogurt (vanilla or plain) with Agave Nectar and raspberries on top.

CRAVING CHOCOLATE?
- Pudge-free brand Brownies (in the pink box) made with Fat-Free Vanilla Yogurt (soy or regular). Incredibly tasty, natural and fat free!

CRAVING SALTY AND ZESTY?
- Trader Joe's brand Multigrain Savory Thins (or other whole grain crackers) with Chipotle flavored Hummus (read ingredients! Avoid Sodium Benzoate). Slightly spicy and very satisfying! Can't find Chipotle hummus? Get plain flavor and add a chipotle salsa or hot sauce to the hummus!

CRAVING SALTY-SWEET?
- Trader Joe's Trail Mix in individual serving packets (cranberry and nut is my favorite!). Perfect single servings to prevent over-snacking and all natural ingredients!

A WEEK OF HEALTHY EATING

HERE is an article with easy recipes and an easy to follow meal plan to help you get on track with your healthy eating/weight loss goals! Great for your health, your appearance, and your waist line!

It's always nice when the work is done for you, and thanks to this plan your entire menu for the week doesn't even take a second thought.

Happy eating :)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

HERE is an article about simple symptoms that can signify bigger health problems. It's great to know what to look for and what to bring up to you doctor: it helps you to become more aware of your body and empowers you as a patient!

In addition, I encourage EVERYONE to take a tally of all the medications you use. If you have a headache, do you immediately reach for medicine to make it go away? If you have diarrhea, do you grab the Imodium?

One of the many issues we have in health care in America is the perception most people have of what "healthy" is, primarily that it is tied to negating natural responses of the body (no pain! no fever! etc.). The problem with "better living through chemistry" is that we often drown out our own body's communication mechanisms (pain, nausea, etc), sometimes leading to missed symptoms and therefore lack of appropriate treatment.

For example: you wake up with a severe headache. In our current culture, this is seen as something you want to eliminate immediately! Suffering, after all, is so last century. The headache is, however a SYMPTOM, NOT A CONDITION. It is your body alerting you through pain that something is awry. It could be many different things, from electrolyte imbalances to meningitis, but if you remove the pain instead of exploring what improves it, you may overlook a serious condition.

This is what happens in many cases of ovarian cancer. The symptoms (bloating, gas, irregular bowel patterns, irregular periods, feeling tired, stomach swelling) are relatively mundane, so people either don't report them to their doctor or the doctor can overlook them, therefore postponing diagnosis and decreasing chances of a positive prognosis. Many people are likely to just reach for a Midol, incorrectly assuming that the symptoms are PMS or period related, instead of bearing through the symptoms and watching to see if there is a pattern (when do I get them? how long have I had them? what makes them worse? what makes them better?).

Also good to know: fever is another symptom that your body is doing its job! When you body activates your immune system to fight off an infection or virus, your body temperature increases in order to increase your metabolic rate, helping your body to kill off the illness. The moment you take an Advil, Tylenol, or any other fever reducer, you decrease your body's natural ability to kill the infection. The ONLY time you should be taking a fever reducer is if your fever is out of control (102 degrees or above), or if you are a child. Otherwise, grin and bear it, drink TONS of water (increased metabolism means increased need for water and fuel) and with the help of your fever you'll get over your illness faster.

Having a relationship with your body and understanding the meaning of its communication is a useful and invaluable tool in preventive and wellness based health. So PAY ATTENTION and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!

VEGAN GELATO!

Watch below to see a video with a VEGAN VANILLA GELATO recipe! Step by step guide, so you can cook along! Healthier than ice-cream and more animal and planet friendly!



If you can't find all of the ingredients at you supermarket, check out VeganEssentials for any vegan pantry needs!

NOT VEGAN?? Try THIS RECIPE instead! The video is a little easier to follow and makes it seem much simpler than the video above.

NUTRIENT DENSE FOODS

HERE is an article with a list of foods that have a ton of vitamins and minerals packed into very few calories.

It also touts the effectiveness of eating a diet rich in nutrient dense foods, like fruits and vegetables, since so many of these foods fill you up (thanks to their fiber and other attributes) without making a huge dent in your daily calories.

An example of easy swaps:
*Low fat milk (or soy milk) is BETTER than diet soda. A few more calories than diet soda, but WAY more nutrients, helping you to stay full longer.
*Bulgar is BETTER than brown rice. It has more fiber and vitamins/minerals and it has less calories than brown rice!

BEAT WORKOUT BOREDOM

I just discovered this great WORKOUT FINDER! Click on the link at left to find workouts by body-region, keyword, or readers' favorites!

New healthy lifestyle changes can be difficult to maintain once you get to the point of boredom and forced repetition, so try incorporating one of the many different workouts from the link above or click below for direct links to the reader favorite workouts:

* Cellulite Solution Workout
* Super Sculpt Your Body
* Drop 10lbs This Month
* Hollywood's Sexy-Body Secret
* Score Sexy Arms in 4 Weeks

Mix up your workouts to maximize your results! And add a workout buddy to the mix to help keep each other motivated. On top of a sexy new body you'll increase your overall health and reduce your risk of developing cancer and other diseases!

And in case you missed my previous post CLICK HERE for fun calculators that can give you your BMI, Caloric Needs, Ideal Weight, Happy Weight, and more!

NOTE: Check with your MD before starting a new exercise regimen

BULGE FREE BELLY

HERE is an article about what foods to EAT and what foods to AVOID if you're looking to target belly fat (or as my father always called it, your "energy reservoir").

FYI: Diet is a HUGE part of fighting fat stored around your waist, but in order to get rid of the bulge for good you need cardio exercise too. If you want a taught mid-section, nothing is better than adding criss-cross sit-ups (where arms are behind your head, you then take opposite elbow to opposite knee. One leg straight out parallel to floor, one leg bent in knee to chest. Don't just move your arms! Twist from the waist!) to your cardio and diet changes! This exercise activates more muscles in your abdomen than normal crunches.

And don't forget: a little pooch is NATURAL! A perfectly flat stomach only exists in photo-shopped pictures.


For a slimmer center, EAT:
*Melon (low calorie, high in potassium which prevents excess salt, therefore water, retention)
*Wine (or POM juice, for us non-drinkers)
*Whole-grains (high fiber helps to remove cholesterol, fatty acids, from the blood stream, reducing storage around your waist)
*Grapefruit (can prevent the insulin spike that increases fat storage around your middle, plus vitamin C which has been shown to play a role)
*Walnuts (or Flax! Omega 3's may be fats, but they help to prevent storage or new fat on the body, especially in the belly region)

For a whittled middle, AVOID:
*Sugar substitutes (horrible for you and your body has trouble digesting these lab-made sweeteners, leading to bloating, gas, and increased hunger later. Use Stevia, Maple Syrup, or Agave Nectar instead!)
*Canned soup (the insanely high salt content leads to water retention which leads to belly swelling)
*Partially and fully hydrogenated oils (aka trans fat. READ LABELS! "0 trans fat per serving" does NOT mean NO trans fat! These fats are not used for flavor, they are used to increase shelf-life. They are created in a lab by adding extra hydrogen ions to unsaturated fats, therefore creating a substance that the body does not recognize and doesn't know how to handle. Research has shown that these fats lead to increased storage of fat around the waist, so avoid these at ALL COSTS!)

SEX IS PRETTY AWESOME

So if you aren't having sex with someone, you should at least be having it with yourself! It helps to decrease blood pressure, release endorphins (happy hormones), and studies have shown that having more orgasms can even increase your life expectancy!

HERE is an article with a snippet from an upcoming book about the best and worst of sex. Super relate-able and fun to read!

So check out the article and then go... well... you know :)





PS: Please click on our sponsors' ads on this webpage! Every click helps to support the blog! Thanks for reading and thank you to everyone for your support!!!

ADD THIS TO YOUR DIET TO INCREASE THE DECREASE

HERE is an article on 44 superfoods that can help your body to fight fat. Some you may know, but there are several that are great additions to anyone's "must eat" list! Summary:

1) Almonds
2) Flaxseeds
3) Sesame seeds
4) Walnuts
5) Apples
6) Blueberries
7) Cherries
8) Grapefruit
9) Oranges
10) Pomegranates
11) Blueberry juice
12) Cherry juice
13) Green Tea (and White Tea even more so!)
14) Pomegranate Juice
15) Vegetable juice
16) Arugula
17) Bell Peppers
18) Broccoli
19) Cabbage
20) Carrots
21) Leeks
22) Onions
23) Romaine Lettuce
24) Scallions
25) Shitake Mushrooms
26) Spinach
27) Tomatoes
28) Basil
29) Black Pepper
30) Cardamom
31) Chives
32) Cilantro
33) Cinnamon
34) Cloves
35) Ginger
36) Garlic
37) Parsley
38) Tumeric
39) Flounder
40) Salmon
41) Sole
42) Tilapia
43) Egg Whites
44) Yogurt (plain, non-fat or low-fat)

Remember: Avoid meat when you can (even fish) for a healthier you and a healthier and more humane planet!

Spice up your foods with herbs whenever possible because many of them, including the ones listed above, aid digestion and decrease inflammation in the body. They also taste great!

Watch your salt content and overall calories. Excess salt will make you retain water (aka extra pounds on the scale) and overdoing it on the calories will make you gain weight even if the foods you chose were healthy.

Remember to exercise frequently and before you know it, you'll be seeing results.

SPLURGE (NOT!) SMOOTHIE

I found this AWESOME recipe for a healthy version of a peanut butter and chocolate sundae/smoothie (from Fitness magazine):

CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER SMOOTHIE
*3/4 cup frozen berries (I'd go for blackberries or raspberries, or you could use banana)
*1/4 cup low fat vanilla yogurt (soy or regular)
*1/2 cup low fat chocolate soy milk
*2 tbsp all natural peanut butter (smooth is best)

Add all items to a blender, blend until smooth. Only 355 calories and TASTY! Decadent without diet sabotage!

SELF LOVE

Take a moment today to relax and think about all that you love about yourself. Think about all that you appreciate and all the blessings you currently have in your life.

A game that I encourage everyone to try today:

1) Look around the room for 1 whole minute. Focus on finding all of the red in the room. Go ahead! Don't read ahead till you've finished!


2) Now, without looking, review all of the green you saw in the room.


Hard, isn't it? Isn't it interesting how difficult it is to notice something right in front of your eyes when your focus is elsewhere? Think about this today. Try to find the positive and suddenly the negative doesn't feel so overwhelming. :)

THE DAY AFTER

So, you've started a new eating and exercise plan and it's going really well. You feel motivated, positive, and on top of the world! Nothing is going to stop you this time, you finally feel fully committed and you're starting to see results!

Then it happens... One night you feel antsy and in the mood to snack. You start looking around the kitchen, in the fridge, in the pantry. Then you see something that you've been CRAVING! You start to justify it, "just a little, I'll just have a little, I've been so good lately, a little can't hurt".

You start to eat and you have more than you had planned. At first it's no big deal, but then you start to think about your unplanned mini-binge and you start to feel guilty and defeated. "Well, now I've blown my whole day, I might as well have some more". The combination of your guilt and your urge to snack leads to an all out binge. You eat any and everything that looks remotely tasty and even some things that you don't really want. The eating becomes a blur, you're no longer eating for satisfaction, you're eating just to eat... ultimately you're eating to self-sabotage. "If I'm not going to do it perfectly I'd rather just fail completely". Through this process you start a cycle that ruins your diet and reinforces your feelings of inadequacy. "Tomorrow I'll start a new diet and this time it'll be different" you tell yourself. And so the process starts all over again.

So what is a person to do when then find themselves on a diet detour? What do you do the day after you've fallen off the wagon? I've had this question posed from several people and I've gone through this myself, so here if what I feel is the best option:

1) Take a deep breath and start going through your emotions. What were you feeling when you started to eat? What did you feel when you "gave up"? Once you can identify what you were feeling, jot it down in a journal. Next jot down what your response to these feelings was (what you did) and think about what you could do differently next time.
2) LIVE IN THE PRESENT! Don't ignore your feelings, but don't dwell on them either. Focus on where you are RIGHT NOW, not what you did yesterday or what you're doing tomorrow. "Right now I am starting a new day and I am starting it positively".
3) FORGIVE YOURSELF and don't try to "make up" for it today. There's ultimately no real need to "forgive" yourself... to err is human. Perfection is a moment, not a state. Slip-ups are a part of life, so instead of focusing on making up for them or repenting, just focus on making good choices TODAY! Nothing you do will make up for last night, but every choice you make in the present WILL influence your end result TODAY.
4) Tonight, don't give yourself the chance to repeat the carnage. When you wind down for the day, take a half an hour to meditate. Taking time for reflection after a positive day of eating can help you to appreciate your accomplishments. It can also help to reduce your anxiety.
5) If you still have the urge to snack in the evening, TAKE A WALK! Getting outside and doing something physical can help to clear your head, put you in a positive mood, and prevent mindless snacking.

And so the cycle is broken! On top of these tips it is GREAT to keep a food/emotion journal. Keeping track of what you eat during the day and what you were feeling at that time will draw connections you can see between your emotions and food. Before you know it, you'll be eating better and appreciating yourself more!

SWINE FLU

I was going to avoid discussing Swine Flu because the hype and panic surrounding it only increases when it is at the forefront of the news. I have, however, decided to discuss the issue in order to help decrease some of the panic.

WHAT IS SWINE FLU AND WHY IS IT SO DANGEROUS?
Swine flu is a genetic variant of the Influenza A virus, aka the flu. The reason experts are concerned about the swine flu is because it is a NEW flu virus, one that no human body has ever dealt with before, and therefore no one has immunity to it.

Think of the last time you had the flu. You felt miserable, your whole body ached, and all of these symptoms were related to your immune system trying to kill the flu virus. Once your body figured out how to kill that flu virus, the next time you came into contact with it, you didn't get sick (or it was less severe) because your body was prepared. When a new virus appears, your body has to fight the war all over again, and if you have a weakened immune system (like in the elderly and the young) or the virus is particularly virulent, your body might not be able to fight it off.

Now, on top of the lack of immunity in the general public, viruses have a tendency to mutate rapidly, as we have seen with the swine flu. It's ultimate goal as a virus is to survive, so it evolved its DNA to make it possible for it to pass from animals to humans, then from humans to humans. The problem is no one knows what the next evolution will be and the best way to prevent finding out is to stop the spread of the disease. That is why governments around the world are trying to be proactive in containing the outbreak: the less transmission, the less opportunity for the virus to mutate.

In addition to lack of human immunity and mutation, scientists do not know the long term effects of the swine flu since it only recently came into being. To spare you the microbiology, it is suffice to say that some viruses lead to increased risk of other conditions later in life. For example, Mono can increase your lymphoma risk and H. Pylori, which causes stomach ulcers, can lead to increased risk of contracting stomach cancer in your lifetime. Does Swine Flu have long-term effect on health? We just don't know and we don't want to find out.

HOW CAN I PREVENT SWINE FLU?
Avoid traveling to areas where swine flu is known to be and WASH YOUR HANDS!!!! Nothing helps to prevent the spread of disease MORE than washing your hands with plain old soap and water (NOT antibacterial soap, plain old castille soap). But keep in mind when washing your hands that the purpose of hand washing is the MECHANICAL removal of bacteria from the surface of your skin. In other words, you "wash off" bacteria and viruses, you don't kill them. To effectively do this, WET YOUR HANDS before applying soap and wash all areas (including between fingers!) for at least 30 seconds.

Taking Echinacea, Vitamin C, and Zinc can also help to bolster your immune system and prevent transmission of the disease.

Skip the masks! They only help in close contact and even then they aren't effective against viruses.



Swine Flu is just like the regular flu, so take precautions you would normally take, live your life and don't obsess!



ON ANOTHER NOTE: The inhumane conditions of large factory farms are breeding grounds for viruses like the swine flu. Become a vegetarian or petition your senator/congressman to introduce legislation that respects the welfare of the animals and increases regulation of the conditions animals can endure in factory farms. It's difficult, but watch the whole video below. Very informative

FOODS WITH PURPOSE

HERE is an article about foods you can eat to help improve specific aspects of your health. Good article, short and to the point. Here's a summary:

SKIN AND HAIR:
*Citrus fruits (for vitamin C)
*Tomatoes (for lycopene)
*Tofu (for soy protein)
*Flax (for omega 3 fatty acids)

EYES:
*Eggs
*Leafy Greens
*Broccoli
*Winter Squash
*Brussels Sprouts (all of these provide lutein and zeaxanthin)

BONES:
*Spinach & Broccoli (Vitamin D, Calcium, and Phosphorus together... good combo for bones!)
*Calcium-fortified Tofu

HEART:
*Whole Grains (for fiber)
*Fatty Fish (and Flax, for omega 3's)
*Fresh Fruits & Veggies (organic is even better!)

BRAIN:
*Flax (for omega 3's)
*Whole Grains (for fiber and minerals)
*Vitamin C, E, and Folate

DANGEROUS DIET PILLS

The FDA has just recalled the diet pill "Hydroxycut" due to numerous cases of liver failure and damage.

This is just one in a long line of cases that emphasize how dangerous diet pills are. Remember: diet and exercise lead to weight loss and some natural foods/herbs assist the body in the process (like tea and cayenne peppers), but NO pill or "herbal miracle" will take the weight off for you, and many diet pills just might kill you.

Most "diet" specific pills and teas contain compounds that put stress on the cardiovascular system (they stimulate heart rate, therefore increasing caloric needs and burn), like caffeine and guarana. But what they don't tell you is that the stress they put on your body can lead to permanent damage, including heart disease, hardening of the arteries, stroke, and heart attack. Apparently Hydroxycut also had ingredients that were hepatotoxic (damaging to the liver), and unfortunately you don't truly show signs of liver failure until it's gotten really bad, so the pills may be damaging your liver and you wouldn't even know it. Long story short: DON'T EVER TAKE DIET PILLS. They don't work and they're dangerous!

Also good to know: diet pills and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA and therefore you never really know what you're getting. Another study came out about a month ago showing that 20 leading brands of multivitamins contained unsafe levels of lead!! Lead?! In my MULTIVITAMIN!!?

If you do take herbal supplements (NOT diet pills) like a multivitamin, make sure you buy from a reputable brand. NOTE: Don't start a new herbal supplement without speaking to your MD first!

THE MAGIC OF MBT's

So by now you may have heard of these amazing shoes called MBTs that have been clinically tested and shown to increase muscle usage while walking (aka increase calorie burn and toning). You may have also heard that they help improve posture and decrease chronic lower back pain. What you may NOT have heard is that they aren't a hoax; they actually work!

Several of my co-workers at the hospital were wearing MBTs and they lost inches and overall weight just by wearing them to work! The biggest set-back for me in regards to MBTs other than the price (around $200 a pair) was how freaking hideous they were. Well, now you have some selection and several of the models look like normal shoes.

Check out THIS SITE to look at all the models! In this economy, it's hard to justify spending this much on shoes, so do what I'm doing: start putting aside $25-$50 per month (which you can subtract from your "eating out" allowance, also helping you to be healthier!) and soon enough you can buy your own pair without blowing the bank! In the meantime, try this trick for toned legs immediately:

*Take the stairs instead of the elevator and when you do, ALWAYS skip a stair. You get instant lunges added to your daily activity without even thinking about it!

Happy shopping!

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST! WHITE TEA FIGHTS FAT

First, I apologize for the delay in posts... I was out of town and the WiFi at my hotel was HORRIBLE!

And now, on with the latest in natural health!

You may have read my POST several days ago touting White Tea as even better for you than its popular cousin, Green Tea. Well now scientists are finally proving this in research studies!!!

THIS ARTICLE discusses a new study that reveals that compounds in White Tea help to prevent fat storage and target already existing fat stores!

So drink up! And if you're looking for a lower-cost Silver Needle tea (the BEST White Tea out there), try your local Wegmans! They now sell loose leaf silver needle at reasonable prices.