Spice it up and lose weight

Did you know there are enormous health benefits in eating just a half teaspoon a day of cinnamon? Well there are!

Studies have shown that adding a little of that brown spice daily will help reduce the amount your blood sugar fluctuates by almost 20%! Cinnamon contains something called methylhydroxychalcone polymer (boy try saying that 3 times fast). This chemical will help you lose weight by ensuring blood sugars are used for energy rather than for storing fat.

Cinnamon can be added to almost any recipe. It adds an Asian touch to the flavor. So next time you enjoy your food, or better yet your cappuccino, be sure to add a little cinnamon on top. the health benefits can be amazing.

 

Winter Blues

During the cold dreary winter months probably just after the holidays have all passed, and no sign of spring in sight, many people suffer from the winter blues. A feeling of tiredness, restlessness and maybe even depression.

Instead of feeling blue, why not try this remedy? Do an act of kindness for someone else. Research studies have shown that a random act of kindness can release dopamine and seratonin, which are both neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals in the body along with endorphins are natural occuring human opiates that result in lifting your spirits. In addition to your act of kindness, vitamin D also helps boost your mood. the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 400 IU. you can get it through eating just a 4 oz piece of salmon!

if depression or anxiety increases, or you have desperate thoughts you should see your doctor right away.

 

Flash crashing on your mac?

Flash Crashing your Mac? This has been going on for me too. For the past few days everytime I open a page heavy in flash content the page crashes my system. It doesnt matter what browser I am using. From what I have read online, there seems to be a war between Adobe and Apple. Apple does not allow nor will it make flash available on the iPhone. Adobe seems to be quite unhappy with that and there seems to be some “bug” someplace (probably created by Adobe) just to **** Apple and Apple users off and make themselves noticed. Maybe they are making a statement that their Flash presence is such an integral part of the online world that they want to be the first to bring flash to handheld communications? Not sure, but what I do know is that it is going to not only hurt Adobe and Apple, but all the people who are struggling in this economy trying to make ends meet that use both these products on a daily basis to make money! We are the ones that keep you guys in business and you are hurting all of us. Take the politics out of this and figure a way to work together.

 

Body Care Products that are as Good as Gold

Peaceful Mountain is a company based in Boulder, Colorado that specializes in organic remedies that help relieve a wide range of maladies. One product I have tried is Arnica Gel that has been proven amazing both pre and post workout to help increase blood flow to the muscles that I have used. This gel has helped sooth the soreness that develops the day after you have worked out when the lactic acid has build up. The best thing about these products is that they don’t compromise the kidneys as some other remedies have been known to do. The combination of Arnica, Confrey Root and St. Johns Wort works magically. The company suggests using it at the first sign of muscle aches, stating that if used at the onset, it may help prevent a full blown spasm!

This natural formula can be found at www.peacefulmountain.com for about $11 a tube. A small price to pay for the pain. You can also find this product at Whole Foods or a local health food store.

 

Eat Local and Boost Your Immunity

Ever hear the term “locavores”? Locavores are people who seek out foods in their native region and this group of people is growing rapidly. There are many economic and environmental benefits to becoming a “locavore”, in addition to actual health benefits. In fact eating locally may boost your immune system! According to an article on www.GreenSceneUSA.com, local foods may be less processed. They are also not transported thousands of miles across the continent to reach your dinner table. Transported foods may harbor unwanted bacteria and pathogens that were picked up along the way. Our bodies may have less natural resistance to foods coming from those other areas, while local foods provide microbes that are specific to the region we live in and bolster our immune capacity.

While there’s no hard science that indicates the health benefits of local foods, the University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill is researching this topic. Last year, they began studying the benefits of eating locally. If you want more information on eating locally and making this switch, check out www.eatlocalchallenge.com.

While we are all aware of the global warming issues that trucking companies are faced with, eating locally also assists in lowering emissions caused by those trucks thereby benefiting our environment as well.

 

Drug Addiction Recovery IS Possible

Just read an article about Narconon, a two-phase, Drug Rehab Program, with a distinct series of steps to help drug recovery.  Drug addiction not only destroys the lives of the person using the drugs, but also has a huge impact on the family and friends of that person.  Many people do not know where to turn to get help for those they love when it comes to drug addiction.  Drug addicts generally withdraw from the people who know and love them.  This alone is one of the biggest problems that the drug abuser suffers and further increases the users need for drugs creating a catch 22.

The program at Narconon covers all aspects of the patients lives, which is essential to a help fully recover from this addiction.  Helping their patients through the tough withdrawal period, along with organizing and retraining the person in how to live a drug free life is Narconons main purpose.  This comprehensive program has had a huge amount of rehab success.  Phase one consists of Drug Free Withdrawal, Communication, Detoxification, and Learning Improvement.  Phase two includes Communication and Perception, Personal Values and Integrity, Changing Conditions in Life and After Care Planning.

Successful results at the end of the program can include:

• Greater mental acuity
• Stronger relationships with "healthy" individuals who are not a liability to the person
• Increased sense of well-being
• The ability to live independently
• Help achieving high personal integrity and honesty
• The elimination of the bio-physical drug craving.

The Narconon program has been around since 1966.  Today Narconon is an international program helping thousands of individuals recover from drug addiction successfully.  Check out http://drugsno.com for more information.

drug rehab

 

Closer Look At The Buffet Table

Weight loss is something almost every one of my friends talks about.  People are always trying to diet, or trying to lose weight.  Whether its 40 pounds or 4 pounds, people are always “watching” what they eat.

According to a study, 213 people were observed at an all you can eat Chinese buffet by trained researchers.  The research showed some fairly interesting results.  Diners who were visibly overweight ot obese were more likely than normal-weight diners to:

• Serve themselves immediately, rather then browse the buffet first
• Choose a large plate over a smaller one
• Sit facing the buffet
• Use a fork rather then chopsticks
• Sit without a napkin on their laps

What to do if you are at a buffet such as this and trying to watch your weight? Use a small plate, so you take smaller portions.  Use chopsticks so you slow down while you are eating.  You also pay more attention to the amount of food you are consuming.  Don’t sit facing the buffet, so the food isn’t always “in your face” having you thinking about what to eat next.  Take your time and look around the buffet and go for the food that most appeals to you, not just what’s at hand.  Use your napkin, this way its one more thing you have to do before getting back up to grab another serving, which may in fact act as a deterrent.

 

Finding Fish Oil That Works

Studies have shown that taking fish oil everyday can help prevent heart disease and cancer in both men and women.  Some of the additional benefits of fish oil have are:

• Fighting Depression
• Improving Autoimmune response
• Protecting against Type 2 diabetes
• Preventing heart attack and stroke
• Improving memory
• Improving eye sight (primarily macula degeneration)
• Decrease blood clotting
• Lower triglycerides

There are a ton of products on the market that tout on their label that they contain fish oil, but buyer beware.  Some fish oil capsules do not hold enough fish oil in them to benefit your health and they cost more then they are worth.

You can find a quality fish oil capsule by following this guideline.

• Most fish oil is only 30% EPA and DHA.  be sure to read the fine print.  It may say 1000mg on the front, but when reading the back label it may say 300mg of EPA and DHA.  Be sure to check that the fish oil has between 700 to 1,000 IU a day.
• Double strength may just mean you take two pills instead of one.  Some brands are more concentrated then others.  Check the supplement facts to find out how many pills you’ll have to take to get the EPA and DHA you want.
• Ignore other omegas.  You don’t need other Omega-3s like ALA or Omega-6 fats.
• Major brands are all mercury-free.  Consumer Reports and ConsumerLab.com have found no mercury in any big brand names, whether or not the label says they’re mercury-free.
• You can buy DHA made from algae.  but so far, there is no vegetarian source of EPA.

 

Anti Aging Skin Products

Several years ago I sold products called Arbonne. I began using these products religiously after having been sold them by a friend of mine.

While I no longer “sell” Arbonne, I do refill friends orders and continue using the products myself. I have tried a slew of other products both before my experience with Arbonne as well as after. I must admit though, that nothing I have tried compares to the results I have gotten from Arbonne products.

I have been using their RE9 line for several years now and find I am lost if I run out of product. The eye cream is addicting. It goes on so smoothly and I certainly can see a difference with fine lines under my eyes.

The day cream is nice too, although I prefer something with more SPF in it then SPF 8 which the RE9 cream contains. So I began using another one of their products called Revelage. It has an SPF of 30 and touts that it has the capabilities of lightening sun spots on your face. Since I began using it this past summer, I don’t really notice a huge change in the appearance of the dark spots, but I do notice a slight color change. I suppose I was expecting a mini miracle.

Until I find another product that works better then Revelage on my sun spots, I’ll continue using the products.

If you happen to know of a better line, I’m all ears! Would live to try some new stuff.

 

Take caution with lipstick

Take caution when wearing lipstick or lip gloss during the day. Most lip products contain a reflective ingredient that gives your lips the shine after applying it to your lips. While that shine is what we are trying to achieve with it’s application it is also quite harmful for your lips.

You have heard that applying baby oil to your skin is not a healthy nor wise decision when out in the sun because it can promote sun damage or even skin cancer. Most lipsticks contain a form of baby oil, called mineral oil. It aides the sun in burning the thin, gentle skin on your lips increasing the cell breakdown and depletion of collagen. Collagen is what gives your lips their fullness. Without it we start to show signs of age with fine wrinkles around our lips. Most people don’t realize that wearing lipstick in the sun can cause premature aging. Next time you shop for lip products, be sure they contain an SPF of at least 30. There are some great products that are inexpensive out there. Maybelline and Cover Girl make one but the SPF is 15. Burts Bees has one with an SPF of 30. Color choices may be limited, but I’d rather be safe then sorry.