Videol Foods That Heal & Foods That Kill

  Find what foods may be beneficial and what foods may be detrimental to your health!

Why A Cheat Meal Might Just Save Your Diet And Boost Fat Loss

 

If there's one thing that most dieters always want to know about as they go about their fat loss diet plan, the cheat meal is it. 
Is a cheat meal okay to have on your diet or must you really cut out all the foods that you enjoy entirely? 
There's no question that if you start having cheat meals just a little too often this is going to hold you back from seeing progress. Cheat meals will be much higher in fat and calories than normal meals would, and that will definitely add up. 
But, if you plan your cheat meals wisely, this doesn't have to be the case. In some situations, cheat meals can actually help you see faster overall results, so it's imperative that you learn how to incorporate these into your diet plan properly. 
Let's have a look over some of the main things that you should keep in mind. 
Cheat Meals And Your Metabolism 
The very first positive effect that a cheat meal will have as you go about your diet is the fact that they will help to boost your metabolism. 
Any time you go on a reduced calorie diet plan for an extended period of time, the body is going to slow its metabolic rate. It literally thinks that you're trying to starve it and it's going to do everything it can to prevent this from happening. 
But, by having the cheat meal you send the message to the body that it's getting more fuel again, thus the metabolism speeds back up. 
All it takes is one good cheat meal to help offset a slow metabolism so that you can start seeing fat loss results again. 
Cheat Meals And Your Food Cravings 
The next benefit of a cheat meal is with regards to your food cravings. If you aren't incorporating any cheat meals into your plan, it is only going to be a matter of time before food cravings get the best of you. 
Fortunately, the cheat meal will prevent this. By allowing that cheat meal into your diet plan at a specific pre-determined point, you're going to help prevent yourself from falling off the plan at any other time during the diet. 
Simply knowing that you will get to have whatever food you're craving is often enough for most people to stay with eating healthy the rest of the time. 
Cheat Meals And Muscle Glycogen Levels 
Finally, the last reason why cheat meals can help to increase your results is because if you choose to make the cheat meal high carb in nature, this will restore your muscle glycogen level, which is the primary energy source used during your workout sessions. 
With fully stocked muscle glycogen you'll be able to workout at a higher intensity, thus you'll see more calorie burning and faster overall progress. 
So as you can see, a cheat meal can be a good thing for your diet. You just need to make sure that you keep them limited to about once per week and still practice moderation. To help prevent hunger from causing you to really overdo it at the cheat meal, make sure to take an appetite suppressant like Phen 375 beforehand, as this will ensure you don't gain body fat due to that cheat. 

Best Way to Lose Weight: The Magic Fruit

 

Garcinia Cambogia is a fruit found in evergreen trees in west and central Africa and southeastern Asia; it looks like a miniature pumpkin. Recently, in 2012, its magical influence on weight reduction has been discovered. Now there are various supplements of this fruit available in the market, well within your reach, to help you lose those extra pounds. Before your grab a file of that supplement you must know how it helps you shed weight.

Prevents fat formation
Excess carbohydrate and sugar when not used by our body, turns into fat that accumulates around our stomach, hip and thighs. Hydrochloric Acid (HCA) helps our body to burn this excess food and Garcinia Cambogia is well endowed with HCA. Thus, consumption of this fruit and its supplements will prevent your body from storing unwanted food and help you obtain that perfect figure.

Enhances Metabolism
The Hydrochloric Acid present in this fruit, increases your metabolism to help you digest your food faster. This gives you a sense of buoyancy and energy throughout the day. It also helps you to maintain a flat stomach since that is the target area of Garcinia Cambogia. The 'So desired' flat stomach is now well within your reach.

Command over cravings
Garcinia Cambogia helps you to control your cravings and stops you from eating those sinfully yummy treats, you so regret after devouring. It does this by increasing the level of serotonin in our brain cells. This in turn cuts down our sugar cravings so that we can maintain a healthier eating habit.

Curbs appetite
When the body is used to a certain quantity of food consumption, it automatically feels hungry when it is not met with the said amount. This happens irrespective of the fact that whether our body needs that food or not. Such supplements will curb that appetite according to your body's requirement. Garcinia Cambogia supplements will help you consume as much as you need. No more, no less.
Easy on stress
An unhappy and stressful person will gain weight faster than a happy and anxiety free person. Surely your body doesn't like it when you are stressed. However, in today's busy and competitive world it is difficult to forgo the stress-o-meter. Well, you don't worry, because Garcinia Cambogia supplements will get you rid of it. It will leave you feeling contented and energetic with raised levels of serotonin. So, go ahead an experience a stress free life!

Looking good is not just about turning heads, it's about how you feel about yourself. It's your confidence, mood, spirit, mind and body all working together to make you, you. Let your loss be your ultimate gain. Especially now, because your task of losing weight has been made so much easier, with the best way to lose weight, Garcinia Cambogia supplements available at the nearest retail.

Losing weight needs guidance and support at all times. Make sure you are taking the right steps to get that perfect figure, such as using Garcinia Cambogia. To learn how to use Garcinia Cambogia and the best way to lose weight click here now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7942757

"Health" Food Ads and Adults

  By Chris DeLaTorre

I recently saw a commercial on Spanish television pitching breakfast cereal to adults. The dad in the commercial was bummed about having to eat oatmeal in the morning since he was worried about his cholesterol. Then his wife came in singing with a box of cereal. He takes a bite and says "Que Rico!" He couldn't believe how good it was and it's supposed to improve his cholesterol!

What the commercial didn't say was that each ¾ cup serving of cereal had 110 calories, 22 grams of carbs, and 9 grams of sugar. 36 out of the 110 calories or 33% come from sugar. His large bowl had about 4 servings (3 cups), which has 440 calories, 88 grams of carbs, and 36 grams of sugar. The actor also had his "healthy" sugar loaded orange juice on the table which has 24 grams of sugar per cup. Compare this breakfast of champions to a glazed doughnut which has 190 calories, 21 grams of carbs, and 10 grams of sugar. 21% of the doughnut's calories come from sugar, so a doughnut has less sugar as a percentage of the total calories than the cereal.

The commercial also didn't mention that the cereal had a glycemic index of 74 which is considered high. The glycemic index measures how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a certain food. Higher GI foods are considered to be worse for your health than lower GI foods. A glazed doughnut has a GI of 76 which is about the same as the cereal. I am not saying that you should eat doughnuts at breakfast. I am just using an extreme example to compare the All-American breakfast pitched by Big Food and what people want to eat for breakfast.

I know that Big Food will say that whole grains are good for you. I am not going to start that debate. What Big Food can't say is that sugar is good for you. Four servings of cereal with juice have 60 grams of sugar. That is 15 teaspoons of sugar or 240 calories worth of sugar. No matter how you look at it, that is a ton of sugar. The high insulin levels resulting from a breakfast that contains 115 grams of carbs drives the conversion of carbs into triglycerides. This is much more likely to give you high cholesterol than a breakfast consisting of a few whole eggs. However, there isn't as much money in the egg business since they are hard to differentiate, so they aren't advertised as heavily. Would you pay more for a dozen eggs with a picture of a cartoon? Probably not, but I am sure you would for a box of cereal with a cartoon.

I know that a counterargument will be that people should be smart enough to portion control, and that no one should be eating four servings of cereal. I feel that advertisements should depict single serving sizes then. That would mean a small bowl with ¾ of a cup of cereal and not a large bowl with about 3 cups. Most people just pour cereal into a bowl without measuring it and companies know that. If they really cared about the consumer and not just selling more cereal, they would address this issue in their ads. Besides, telling your customers that they should be smarter when you are trying to mislead them is unethical.

I don't believe that they honestly feel that a breakfast that consists of a high sugar cereal and orange juice is good for your health or cholesterol. They are trying to make a buck by selling you cereal. Of course it tastes good with all of that sugar. That's their goal. They want you to think it's good for your health while tasting good so you keep buying it. That is the goal of all companies advertising fake healthy foods like sugar-loaded granola, yogurt, or smoothies.

For more helpful information visit http://www.wheyvos.com

4 Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

 

By D. McSwine 

It is imperative to understand that most if not all of the life forms on earth have emanated from plants. The healing arts and medicine were derived from plant life. Plants (trees) provide oxygen for our very existence. If they have done all of these things for us then consuming plants should be nothing less than top priority in each household around the world. Unfortunately, we live in a meat-eating society which preaches that the only way to consume protein is through meat. Nothing could be further from the truth. When we speak of plant-based diets we are referring to fruits and vegetables.

Below are 4 benefits of consuming a plant-based diet.

1. Micronutrient Power - There are two forms of nutrients of which you should be concerned. The first category is known as macronutrients. The macronutrient group includes proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The body requires a certain amount of macronutrients to function correctly on a daily basis. The second category is known as micronutrients. The micronutrient group includes vitamins and minerals. Health experts emphatically state that micronutrients are the key to life longevity. Micronutrients are only found in plant life. These guys are packed with enzymes and provide what is known as phytochemicals which are cancer fighters or popularly termed antioxidants. Most importantly, micronutrients feed your body at the cellular level and aid your biological clock. For this reason you may notice many vegans who appear twenty years younger than their chronological age.

2. You Don't Have to Cook - The fact of the matter is that we exist and work in a society where some people work twelve hours. If you don't have to be bothered with cooking each day after or before work then you will be a happy individual. Preparing certain foods is a job in itself. Making a brown bag lunch with a few vitamin packed herbs and a few pieces of fruit and vegetables takes little to no effort at all.

3. Lowers Cholesterol Naturally - When you consume raw fruits and veggies you do not have to worry about high cholesterol. However, when you consume a diet rich in meat you have a great chance of contracting a case of high cholesterol. Here is why. Meats are high in fat and fat plays a major role in high cholesterol. Plants have little to no fat so you will merely glean nutrients. Some meat eaters switch to a low-fat diet and fail to see lower cholesterol results. They fail to understand that a low-fat diet is of no value unless the meat is eliminated or significantly reduced. Your liver loves plants because it does not have to work as hard to regulate the cholesterol.

4. They Cleanse The Body - Inside of every cleanse on the market you will find herbs. Herbs are the true healers in the plant life regime. Not only do herbs behave as medicine but they also have a sweeping effect on the body. To make their case concrete, herbs also contain certain vitamins and minerals. Herbs will get inside of the major organs in the body and dispel the most vicious toxins. Fiber which also stems from plant life is a cleanser. If you suffer from constipation you are normally instructed to consume fiber rich plants in an effort to cleanse your system.

Please visit http://www.dhealthstore.com for in depth information on plant based eating and healing.

90% Of Health Problems Solved By This

 

By Erik D Walker

Needless to say the health and wellness industry is in a bit of an up-trend so-to-speak. It seems like if you are not on the receiving end of some type of a health product these days you are profiting from it.

Some literature on the market would also suggest that the health and wellness industry is going to be the first 'trillion dollar' industry on this planet.

That really comes as no surprise, but in all reality, that should not be the case.

You can choose to believe this or not, but nearly all of the health problems, and even those that make the top ten list of killers in this country could have been prevented, or treated by simply cleaning up your diet.

High blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high LDL cholesterol, high tryglycerides or palque build up, arthritis, heart disease, heart attack, stroke- are all things that are byproducts of having a poor diet.

Did you know that the word 'diet' comes from the Latin word 'diaeta' meaning "manner of living; a way of life?"

Of all of the products that are on the market to date, nearly all of them have a misunderstanding of what the word 'diet' actually means.

They want to sell you on this new medication for high blood pressure which can be controlled by the foods that you eat.

They want to sell you on this arthritis medication when that too can be improved by the foods that you eat.

They want to sell you on drugs that promote testosterone growth when in all reality, that too can also be curbed by your diet.

The fact of the matter is your diet should ultimately be your way of life. The concept of living around the food that you eat is a little hard to comprehend this day in age, when our ancestors spent more time hunting, gathering, and preparing their food than we ever have as it was the key to their longevity.

Today, we can head to any fast-food joint and grab a meal in an instant.

The health and wellness industry is profiting substantially off of products that are borderline unnecessary provided that your diet has not solved the problem already.

Here is another way to look at this.

How much does it cost you to go refill your prescription each week or each month? If it is more than ten or twenty dollars, then maybe try doing some research on different foods to incorporate into your plan for eating to lose weight. Those foods will not only satisfy you, but they will also help to solve your problem naturally, and on top of that food is relatively cheap, well cheaper than prescription drugs that is.

The next time a doctor is going to put you on a prescription regimen, try looking into natural alternatives to help solve the problem. They are out there, you just have to do a little research.

If you found this article to be helpful and are looking to do some more research, then check out Eating To Lose for more free information on dieting, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle as it relates to your physical goals. There is even a free plan there to help you get started.

An Introduction To Wellbeing And What It Can Do For You!

 

There are some buzz words out there that are really hard to fathom, but others kind of tell you what they stand for without any ambiguity. Well-being is one of these phrases; it means the condition that we are in. High well-being means that we are in good health, whilst low well-being means the opposite. In order for us to achieve a level of high well-being, we need to look after ourselves in many ways. Self-indulgence doesn't always mean feasting on ice cream and chocolates. There are healthy ways to keep ourselves in a state of harmony. You need to be in a good place spiritually and mentally before your well-being attains a satisfying quality.

Don't Be Too Busy

It may be unavoidable to be stuck in a busy and hectic lifestyle, but we have to work to survive in this world. You should be able to take some time out, whatever the time restrictions you have created for yourself.

What Are Your Pleasures?

You need to identify the things that make you feel special. We are all individuals and it should be a personal choice, no matter how trivial it may seem to others. Once you have made a list of the things that turn you on, you can start to introduce these back into your life. If you have difficulty identifying these things you should ask yourself what it is that you love about life. Write these down and then ask yourself what it is about yourself that you really love. Do not be shy about this and above all, be honest to yourself. When you have done this, you can put both lists next to each other and have a close look. You should be able to make a connection between these qualities and preferences.

Special Times

The connections you have made will let you know what you really love about life and yourself. You can now identify the special things out there and make plans to include these in your lifestyle. Be sensible and calculate which of these choices are realistic for you. Try and let yourself indulge in the most accessible pleasure first and maybe on a frequent basis. As soon as you start to enjoy these treats, your well-being will start to rise.

Some Suggestions

We are all individuals and that goes for our tastes and needs, but there are a few common grounds that may appeal to most of us. Here is a small wish list of indulgences that may help you to choose:

- A regular spa treatment - this can be in a swish resort or just some home treatments.
- Start a new class - It could be massage, cookery or even a new language skill.
- Learn how to fly a glider, or take diving lessons - get out of your comfort zone!
- Start doing regular work for your favorite charity.
- Think about your favorite spectator sport and start to watch your favorite teams again.

If you are from a skin or respiratory disorder, you can go for a safe and effective treatment called salt therapy. You can now easily get salt therapy at home. Check out this website to know how.

Beauty Supplements or Creams?

  By Sean Mattherson

The health and beauty industry may never experience a plunge despite inflation or rough economic patches. This is because the desire to stay young and beautiful is now an essential need amongst women across all age groups. This has stormed the market with innumerable skin creams, hair gels, shampoos and conditioners, masques and other body products, which caters to every possible body part both externally and internally, in form of beauty supplements weight loss without exercising, supplements for beautiful glowing skin and hair, fairness creams, mousse, sprays and the list is endless.

With the plethora of beauty supplements is its challenging to find the best supplements suitable for an individual. Here are a few selective supplements rich in vitamins and antioxidants that are most effective and safe for use for a long lasting result:

It is extremely important to save the skin from direct exposure of the sun, as it can cause various skin related diseases, darkening of the skin and even skin cancer. The most effective vitamin to maintain a healthy skin under direct sun exposure are Vitamin C & E and Selenium. These antioxidants strengthen the natural cell repair system. Supplements comprising Vitamin C & E along with Selenium are advisable before facing the direct sun.

Another common concern amongst women is to find the best anti-ageing supplement. The Coenzyme Q10 is widely accepted as an efficient supplement to reduce wrinkles decrease the open pores on the skin surface, making one look much younger.

Another popular vitamin to combat ageing signs like rough skin, age spots and fine lines is Retinoic Acid rich in fiber. Beauty Supplements containing Retinoic Acid refurbishes skin elasticity and keeps the skin tight and diminishes wrinkles.

Green Tea, common antioxidant helps to cleanse the body from within and enhances metabolism. It helps to strengthen the immune system of the body and maintains good health.

Another antioxidant that mitigates skin inflammation and revives energy is the most commonly found ingredient in every kitchen i.e. ginger, supplements that contain ginger ingredient are effective for its natural properties to soothe indigestion and skin problems.

Supplements with Psyllium fiber work as an appetite suppressant. It curtails the craving to eat and absorbs excess body fat. The supplement blocks the fat from settling into the intestines and avoids weight gain.

Thus, all the above mentioned best supplements enhance the minerals and vitamins levels in the body. To continue to stay young, it is important to not only cleanse the body externally but also internally.

Saule Health has been an authority on vitamins and nutrition for over 5 years. Covering topics from diet and weight loss to general health.

Building Muscle - How Much Protein Do You Need?

 

By Mira Burton

Starting out with a note for absolute beginners, protein is the substance which allows your body to build and maintain muscle. It consists of high amounts of amino acids, particularly in animal meat protein, and this allows your muscles to grow by entering your body into an anabolic state. If you consume too little protein your body enters a catabolic state, wherein it will break down what muscle you have for energy, turning exercise into a counterproductive activity.

So if you're looking to build muscle or just keep what you've got, protein is going to make up an incredibly important part of your diet. There's often a lot of confusing and controversy over just how much is needed, to read on to have some of the information cleared up.

The base RDA for protein requirements is simple enough. It's recommended that men and women respectively consume 56 and 46 grams of protein a day. This can come down to as little as three eggs, a yogurt, and a cup of dry beans, likely with a serving of chicken on top. This relatively small amount will be enough to keep you going without major muscle loss as part of a sedentary lifestyle.

If you're on the edge of the bell curve in terms of weight or BMI, it's best to use a calculation. For sedentary lifestyles it's recommended to take about 0.8 kilos of protein a day per kilogram. This is where a 70kg man gets his 56g totals, so scale it up or down with weight.

For those intending to gain muscle, adjust the numbers accordingly. Let's say you're engaged in consistent endurance training on the treadmill, up this number to around 1.5 grams per kilo. That 70kg man is now on a comfortable 105 grams of protein a day. Most diets will begin to require attention by this point, so it's time to start thinking about the nutritional content of your food and where you can increase protein levels.

Muscle mass enthusiasts will usually be engaging purely in strength training, finding the most efficient path towards muscle growth. If you're serious about the endeavour, most bodybuilders will tell you to consume a minimum of 1.8g/kg, maxing out at around 2.2g/kg. A 70kg man would then be consuming 154g of protein a day, but expect this number to be at least 200g, most bodybuilders clock in at more than a hundred kilograms.

So at the very least, stick to your 0.8g/kg minimums, even if you're on a weight loss campaign. Protein is harder to break down than fat, creating higher calorie burn, and will also ensure you come out toned, not insanely skinny.

Mira has been writing about fitness and strength for years, from the most effective ways to lose fat to weightlifting supplements for increasing workout efficiency. She's now a featured contributor of Muscle Finesse, and hopes to see her existing audience expand further still.

Cherries Health Benefits - Information

 

By Robert N. Perry

Cherries health benefits are one of the most talked about themes in food health and nutrition. Not only are health enthusiasts beginning to recognize the marvelous benefits that cherries can offer with just a few servings a day, but consumers are also beginning to catch on and embrace the trend. Today, many cherry-based products line supermarket shelves from Europe to the USA and this can only be attributed to the increased awareness for cherries health benefits.

To understand and appreciate the extent of cherries health benefits, it is important to look at this from the aspect of both prevention and healing which are two of the areas in health that cherries are recognized stars.

Disease Prevention. All the product labels would tell you that cherries have no actual therapeutic claim but that does not mean cherries are not able to contribute to fostering health and preventing illness. In studies conducted by some of the world's leading institutions, the antioxidants in cherries are known to help lower the risk for cancers and many other diseases.

Two types of antioxidants that are known to play a role in cancer prevention are quieritrin and ellagic acid. The first is known as a very aggressive cancer fighting antioxidant which plays a direct role in combating the formation and growth of cancer cells. The second is a phenolic anti-carcinogenic compound which works by combating cellular mutations which often trigger the onset of cancer.

In general, the disease-prevention characteristics of this small fruit which pave the way for a myriad of cherries health benefits is made possible by its generous dose of substances that are essential to a fully functioning body. When antioxidants are abundant for example, the body can take on a more proactive approach in cleansing itself from toxins and other disease vectors rather than only responding to an illness that has already set in. A regular diet containing cherries, therefore, lowers the risk for many of these diseases like heart ailments, age-related degenerative conditions, as well as promoting healthier body functions like normal sleep and better digestion.

Disease Treatment. Cherries are not medicines per se but the substances contained in them can have a healing effect on many serious health conditions. The most important of cherries health benefits in this area is with regard to cherries and arthritis. Anthocyanins and bioflavonoids in this fruit help manage and treat inflammatory symptoms which are the underlying cause of arthritis. As a result, arthritis patients who regularly consume cherries report significant improvements in both pain severity and attack frequency.

Another area where cherries health benefits are evident is in the management of migraines. Again, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids are at work in these situations. The anti-inflammatory benefits of both compounds normalize blood flow in the brain soothing migraine attacks and lowering the likelihood of frequent migraine episodes.

To take advantage of these benefits, nutritionists recommend getting at least 2 servings of cherries per day. During the summer months just after the cherry season, this fresh fruit is widely abundant and available in supermarket shelves. Farther into the year when fresh cherry supplies are limited, one can always have substitutes consisting of cherry juice and concentrate and even cherry pills. This way, one always has access to valuable cherry products regardless of the time of year.

So, how do you plan to take advantage of these cherries health benefits? What health conditions do you hope to treat or prevent by increasing your intake of this amazing fruit on a daily basis? Visit our website with over 200 well-written articles on the subject for all the answers.

www.cherrieshealthbenefits.com

Robert Perry specializes in the building of income producing niche websites, usually using Google AdSense ads. For $100 he builds a 5 article website that the search engines love.

The Niche Builders

Find Out How To Naturally Experience Whole Body Health and Wellness

  By Michael Chadd

In today's western medical model, health and wellness is centered around diagnosing and chasing illness and disease. The idea is that you wait till you are ill and then you chase away the symptoms with a drug. Then hopefully the illness is diagnosed correctly and you are given the correct prescription and education to heal illness at its root cause.

Too often the healing completely part is missed and you are told you will be taking a drug to chase away the symptoms, also other drugs to stabilize and maintain the illness indefinitely (like the rest of your life). That's basically a medical model know as the allopathic model for health and wellness.

This allopathic model works great for the profits of hospitals, drug companies and the insurance industry. Unfortunately the drugs most often have a ton of side effects that are sometimes worse than the illness they are supposedly treating.

If you follow the news or you are paying attention you know that this allopathic medical model does not work to well here in the U.S. Not only are people not experiencing health and wellness they are being priced right out of any chance to enjoy what I call whole body wellness. Without a health care system that is not about profits, there is incentive for maintaining illness rather than healing.

The absence of detectable illness and disease at any given time is not the same as experiencing whole body wellness.

What is meant by whole body wellness?

This means that your bodily systems are all functioning normally. A more scientific term is homeostasis. We are talking about normal body function. This is the way your whole body should be working if you were a normal human providing your body with exactly what your body needs to function.

This actually sounds pretty simple. But since the dawn of the industrial age and the industrialization of food, combined with a modern sedentary lifestyle, abnormal bodily function becomes the norm. When we aren't providing our bodies with the nutritional tools and critically important exercise our systems begin to go haywire.

Probably the last society of humans to be anywhere close experiencing homeostasis was the caveman. That's probably why the Paleo diet and the cross fit training exercise program is so popular today.

Let's say you are eating only pure organic raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cooked fish and lean meats. You also work physically all day long to procure your diet with no modern tools or transportation. You are not exposed to industrial and environmental toxins and pollution. You'd most likely be in great physical shape and have a normally functioning body and immune system. Sure you might have lots of ways that you could be injured or killed from an accident or get eaten by a wild animal.Your caveman life span would probably be shorter. But while you are in your prime you would be a healthy normally functioning human.

In the modern world today it's very hard to avoid industrialized foods and chemical toxins in the air, water and food. We are also exposed to all kinds of environmental toxins we can't even see. The term toxic load refers to the level of the absorption of toxicity that we all have in varying degrees.

How do we create and maintain whole body wellness?

Nutrition, exercise, low stress and healthy lifestyle choices are the fundamentals of whole body wellness. Eating a natural organic whole food diet consisting mostly of vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, legumes and healthy oils. Little to no dairy or processed foods. Also some fish and lean meats (small amounts or no red meat).

In order to be sure you can fill the nutritional gaps that will occur in your diet and to get enough antioxidants to combat the toxic world we are exposed to, it is a good idea to also consume concentrated super food supplements.

One area of the world that is a primary source of the highest quality, highest nutrient dense organic super foods in the world is the Amazon Rainforest. When you combine these concentrated nutrient rich rainforest herbs into an easy to access form you are giving your body the extra support it needs to create and maintain whole body wellness.
There are formulations available as a liquid beverage and in capsules.

Whole body wellness is achievable even with all the challenges we need to overcome in our unhealthy world. It take a conscious, deliberate and consistent effort to give your body what it needs to function normally.

Michael writes about natural health and wellness as well as environmental issues. He is a wellness entrepreneur and a natural health coach. Get more tips and resources about eating a diet for whole body wellness. Also learn about Amazon Rainforest super foods

Good Vs. Bad Fats - The 101 and What You Need To Know

  By Phil Swain

Many people believe that there is only one type of fat, and that they are unhealthy for you and will make you gain weight. This is not exactly true as our body needs these to survive. Some fats can have beneficial health benefits while some of the bad ones will definitely have a negative impact on your health if you consume too much.

The bad fats are shown to increase LDL cholesterol as well as reduce the good cholesterol or HDL. These are what contribute to heart disease, stroke, and other detrimental effects on the body. The two most common types of bad fats are categorized as trans fats and saturated fats. Trans are artificially produced in which they convert different types of liquid oils to solids. Because of how detrimental these are, many companies have chosen to take these out of their products and replace them with slightly better types such as unsaturated.

Saturated fats basically are any type that can stay as a solid under normal room temperature. This can include products like butter, but also naturally occur in many types of food such as meats.

I will be doing another article focusing on the good fats, how much of these that you should be using, and excellent sources of where to get these fats from. A few of the good types of fats include mono unsaturated fats (which are fats that stay liquid at room temperature) as well as polyunsaturated fats (also are liquids at room temperature).

These types of fats are definitely needed for the body as they been shown to improve cholesterol levels, reduce heart disease and stroke, reduce the risk of having diabetes, and also help care for a healthy immune system and help stimulate cell development. Good sources of good fats include extra virgin olive oils as well as fish oils.

When selecting a cooking oil, make sure it is especially an unsaturated fat. Many types of cooking oils vary and the ratio between mono unsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Try your best to focus on mono unsaturated fats as studies have shown that these seem to be more stable and can aid with your good cholesterol levels a little more effectively then polyunsaturated fats. The two types of oil that have high levels of mono unsaturated fats are olive oil and canola oil. I personally recommend that you get extra-virgin olive oil.

When looking at the labels of food products in your local butcher shop, make sure you don't just look at the total fat of an item. Make sure it has as smallest amount of trans and saturated fats as possible. Don't be afraid of if it has the good types of fats in it.

If you're planning to be building muscle, one of the supplements you should be taking is fish oil. This oil contains the fats required to assist your muscle grow after a workout as well as rebuild the tissue from strenuous activity. You can get these type of supplements either in liquid form or in a capsule.

Please check out my blog for more health and fitness articles.

How to Do the Carb Nite Dieting, Avoiding Common Mistakes With Weight Loss

  By Ryan C Saplan

Considering the variety of low carb diet variations out there, it can be hard to decide which one to stick to. For the most part, the low carb approach is perfect if you require to lose 30lbs or more. The most basic low carb diet that seems to work most effectively for individuals works as follows: For 9 days you limit your carbohydrate intake to 30 grams everyday. On the 10th day, during the night time, you're allowed a high carbohydrate splurge. This cheat evening consist of an early supper, a late dinner and dessert. The name of the diet is called Carb Nite Solution because you don't start consuming away the carbs until after 4pm. After this 10 day period your Carb Nites are spread out roughly once per week.

It sounds uncomplicated doesn't it? If you've done any dieting in the past you've quite possibly tinkered around with diets similar to this. However, there are several common pitfalls that either impede progress or cause some people to make hardly any progress. I'll list a couple of and give some remedies for how to prevent yourself from these common pitfalls.

It is very effortless to ingest way too many carbs mainly because of the places you purchase the meals. These days a lot of people don't cook and prepare their meals. Many individuals dine out, and although you have a "low carb salad" you will probably find yourself going over your limit by having a food that has too many carbs without realizing it. A number of the low fat dressings have approximately 7-10g of carbs, and from time to time when you order a salad they will put greater than 3 portions. A good practice that my clients use is simple as just getting the restaurant put the dressing on the side and all you have to do is piece out a serving.

Going overboard on dairy is yet another frequent blunder. Unless you have a history of enduring dairy well, I strongly recommend most clients to refrain from it entirely in the starting off. For most people, dairy can supercharge your urge for food which will cause consuming too much.

Overeating is the next obvious pitfall. Unless you're eating a lot of whole foods and foods that have marginal processing, it may be easy to overeat. To guarantee your results, its best that you're wary of how much you consume, this is especially true if you're having difficulty experiencing fast enough results. Many of the processed "low carb" foods are very tasty which will either cause you to over eat that food, or just heighten your desire for food for the day that may lead to over eating.

Not receiving a good mix of fat and protein can lead to headaches or the dreaded "ketogenic flu" or keto flu. The signs are a bad throbbing headache and lots of fatigue. This develops as your body is getting realigned to not having enough carbs so the source your body will try to use is fat. When your fat intake is lacking your body may have challenges getting sufficient energy. Don't be afraid of fat, just ensure to keep your saturated fat in check. Sources like avocados, olive oil and coconut oil are fantastic sources. Nuts are okay, you just have to look at the amount of carbs depending on the types of nuts or seeds you take in.

You may still have your steak and various fatty cuts of animal meat. Just make certain that fat sources vary. Coconut oil is a fat that consists of MCTs which your system is able to digest quickly to be used as energy. Other fats take longer to break down and by the time you get that keto flu headache, it can be far too late before symptoms are taken care of.

In conclusion, journal your food and make sure you learn how much carbs each food you eat has. Teaching yourself on the macronutrient break down of each food will go a long way to make sure you consume the appropriate foods as well as stay on course when pursuing carb nite or any low carb diet you look at.

If you're interested in staying motivated as well as learning more effective low carb dieting tips and ideas relating to Carb Nite, visit http://www.RyanSaplan.com

How to Stay Healthy in the Winter With Chinese Medicine

 

By Eric J. Schmidt

Winter is a time of rest and going inward. Metabolism slows down, energy levels drop slightly, and a need for sleep is increased. If you find that you crave warm, hearty foods, your body is responding to a natural seasonal rhythm. Listen to that instinct! Winter is a time for eating warming foods and drinking hot tea. During cold weather, protect yourself from the wind with a scarf and stay warm with a good jacket (just like Mom said).

In Chinese Medicine thinking, the focus is to nourish and warm the "kidneys" during the winter. Dietary choices have a large influence here. The properties of foods effect the body based on the type of food we eat, the way in which it's prepared, and the spices used for flavoring. Below is an overview of the recommended winter diet: In the cooking realm, it is best to broil, slow bake, roast and slow-cook foods in the winter season. Soups and stews are an excellent and easy way to incorporate all of the dietary elements of the TCM winter diet. Soups cooked in a slow-cooker are ideal and can be made a base of the diet through the winter season. Roasting or baking vegetables and meats will give the added benefit of warming your home and enlivening it with an aroma that will nourish your spirit.

Winter Spices: The taste associated with the kidneys (and therefore used in winter) is salty. The recommendation here is to support the kidneys with a bit of salt, but not too much. For added beneficial minerals, use sun-dried Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt. Seaweeds are another good source of nutritive saltiness. In addition, warming, but not excessively hot spices are recommended as part of daily cooking. Avoid using excessive hot spices such as pepper, cayenne, chili because they can create sweating, which results in cooling the body. Instead, flavor food with these gentile warming spices: Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger, Garlic, Cumin, Turmeric, Fennel, Fenugreek, Sesame Seeds

Winter Fruits: Grapefruit, Longan, Lychee, Pears, Apples, Apricots, Dates Winter

Vegetables: Root vegetables, Squashes, Cabbages, Kohlrabi, Bok Choy, Bamboo Shoots, Kale, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Mushrooms, Leeks, Onions

Winter Meats: Buffalo, Lamb, Duck, Goose, Venison (yes, these choices are a bit strange, however this is the Traditional Chinese advice).

Winter Grains and Legumes: Oats, Basmati Rice, Quinoa, Black Beans, Kidney Beans

In addition, there are quite a few things you can do to keep your immune system strong during cold season. The basic points are:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.



• Be careful not to touch your eyes and face with unwashed hands.



• Get plenty of sleep and a moderate amount of exercise to keep your immune system at peak performance.



• Eat your fruits and veggies and keep dietary intake of refined sugar low. Refined carbohydrates (like breads and rice) act in the same way as white sugar in your body. When blood sugar goes up in an uncontrolled manner your immune system does not function as effectively.



• Stay warm - A blast of cold air can cause body temperature to drop, this causes the immune response to drop as well. Consider using a scarf in cold and windy environments.



• Take 500mg of Vitamin C twice each day and 25mg of Zinc once a day.

About the Author: Eric Schmidt, L.Ac, Dipl. O.M. is the founder of Meridian Health Clinic. He is an accomplished acupuncturist and herbalist, holding a Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Additionally, he has California (L.Ac.) and National (Dipl. O.M.) Acupuncture Board Certifications.

Earn A Healthy Lifestyle With A Balanced Diet

 

 By Pallavi Nayyar 

Whatever we eat affects our body. Our daily eating habits decide general condition of our body and mind. To keep our body salubrious and energetic we must focus on the right amount of nutrition that our body needs. Definitely, a balanced diet gives you a healthy life. But what does it contain?

A healthy balanced diet contains all the essential components for better health. Carbohydrates, mineral salts, fats, fiber, vitamins and proteins altogether make a healthy balanced diet. These components are consumed in the form of fruits, vegetables, cereals, minerals and water. Missing any component can disturb your healthy lifestyle.

How these components bestow you with better health:

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide energy to our body. Naturally, without energy one cannot work both physically and mentally. Moreover if you will not take adequate amount of carbohydrates then fatigue will kick into your life. Your daily diet must contain 50-60 percent of carbohydrates.

Mineral Salts: Minerals are necessary for the right functioning of the body. Daily consumption of minerals is necessary because our body cannot produce minerals itself.

Proteins: Proteins play an important role because protein rich diet enables the body to perform regular functions. Right amount of proteins in our body helps to fight against several infections.

Fats: It's a big misconception among peeps that fats are unhealthy. Factually, fats are very necessary for our body just like other components. In addition to, fats protect our life-sustaining organs (liver, kidney as well as heart).

Vitamins: Deficiency of any vitamin can upset your better health conditions. Fruits, green vegetables, milk, grains, oats, wheat, vegetable oils are the main sources of vitamins. In your daily diet you must add the right amount of fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs to live a healthy life.

Fiber: Constipation is one of the common complaints about all of us. Fiber provides that nutrient which helps to prevent our body from constipation. Beet-root, carrots, cucumber are rich in fiber.

Water: Water is the main necessity of human life as well as the human body. Without water we cannot digest our food. Dull skin, joint pains and several other ills are the outcome of inappropriate consumption of water. So you must consume 8-10 glass of water daily.

Balanced Diet is eating the right food at the right time and in right quantity. "Health is Wealth", and you do not need any locker to keep it safe but it needs a regular routine with the right eating habits. Balanced diet is a bonus to live a healthy lifestyle.

Pallavi Nayyar, an eloquent writer and enjoy writing on different themes. If you are looking for efficient writing services like article writing,blog writing, you can contact at p.pallavi14@gmail.com

Are You Paying Attention to Your Health and Beauty?

 

By Sean Mattherson

Health & beauty have and will always continue to remain the centre of attraction for women world-wide. While there are many natural contributors towards health and beauty such as genes, a balanced diet, sufficient amount of water consumption, combating sun exposure and emotional and physical well being. Women today are unable to take time out for personal care due to work and family commitments that drains out all the energy leaving no time for self. This has led to a myriad of beauty supplements each with a unique property and tall claims.

With overload of information on health and beauty supplements it becomes tedious to find the best supplements that can reverse the signs of ageing. However there are a few genuine beauty supplements that can visibly control signs of ageing much because of its components that include antioxidants, vital minerals and fibres which are essential for the body.

With ageing the hormones generated within the body become slower and inferior in quality, which result into dryer & less supple skin, loss of sexual drive, drop in energy levels, frail bones, less muscle strength and mass, loss of hair and split ends. Therefore, Supplements that can improve the quality of hormones and help get back youthful health and beauty are most desired.

Supplements that can boost oestrogen, an essential youth hormone can aid ageing skin to look and feel younger. The oestrogen based supplements are best suited for women aged 40 and above as hormones changes are dramatic at this stage. The supplement helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, removes spots and open pores and assists in skin tightening. The other supplements that can provide strength and vitality and generate oestrogen and collagen consist of Vitamin C & E, Selenium, and Omega- 3 from fish oils, isoflavones from soy and lycopene from tomatoes, amino acids that can fuel the body's hormones.

Women who wish to take supplements to specifically reduce the fine lines and wrinkles below the eyes, can select supplements with superoxide dismutase, an extract derived from a marine plant that aids to revamp cells and limits the harm done by free radicals which is the chief cause of wrinkles.

Some researchers are of the opinion to take beauty supplements at night before going to bed, for better and noticeable results. This is because skin cell generation is higher while sleeping. Skin cells are most active at night and can destroy damaging free radicals. Therefore, skin care at night helps to keep a glowing skin.

Saule Health has been an authority on vitamins and nutrition for over 5 years. Covering topics from diet and weight loss to general health.

5 Quick Ways to Get In Shape!

  By T. Mitchell

Are you ready to get in shape? If so, here are 5 quick and practical tips that will tell you how.

1. Ditch the soda. Soda has loads of sugar that go straight to your problem areas when you drink it. If you drink soda like some people drink coffee then you will not be able to go cold turkey. Make small steps to get yourself off of the carbonated beverage. If you are used to drinking it everyday, take it down to every other day and then just a few days a week. Your waist line will begin to thank you.

2. WATER. WATER. WATER. Water is our body's life support. With all of the foods out there with high sugar and sodium contents, we sometimes forget to replenish our bodies naturally. Water should be your number one buddy when you are trying to lose weight. Not only does it flush out your system, but it also makes your skin clearer.

3. Veggies and Fruits are your friends! With the hustle and bustle in our daily lives, we find it much easier to grab our food "to go." Because we are so busy, we neglect preparing fresh fruits and veggies. With juicers, you can get triple the amount of fruits and veggies in one day than you would in one week! Also, when you juice, you are getting the nutrients into your bloodstream much faster because it is a liquid as opposed to eating all of those fruits and vegetables. Also, juicing is very yummy too!

4. Drink less alcohol. Alcohol is full of calories. It is easy for us to consume more than we should while hanging out with friends, watching the game, or relaxing after a long day. Most alcoholic drinks have lots of yeast that travel right to our tummies to hibernate. This is why you may see some men with "beer bellies"... women too. Drinking less alcohol will not only help you physically, but mentally as well.

5. Get up and MOVE! Exercise combined with healthy eating is the BEST way to get in shape. You don't need an expensive gym membership or large fitness equipment in your home. All you need is for your body to move for at least 30 minutes a day. Go for a walk or jog or do some jumping jacks in your living room. The mission is to get your heart pumping. Cardio exercises are imperative to not only boosting your metabolism but to also fighting heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other health issues.

http://www.waystogetinshape.com

Break The Unwritten Rules For Successful Weight Loss

 

By Erik D Walker

If you take a look at society today you might have noticed that there is a division of class, from the upper class, to the middle class, to the lower class. If you dig a bit deeper you find that the upper class makes up the top one-percent of society.

We all want to be in that one-percent but we do not know how to get there.

Here is a secret, the one-percent do things that everyone else does not.

That also applies to weight loss.

There are so many unwritten rules in the world today that many of them have been hampering your weight loss goals since day one.

Eat this, do not eat that, do not eat before bed, and even the terms 'breakfast', 'lunch'. 'dinner', 'snack', and even the word 'diet' have all been cast into stone by your parents and your friends and each one of those have you beating down the wrong path.

Let us take a look at the word 'breakfast.' Many of you are probably thinking of a bowl of oatmeal or cereal, maybe eggs and pancakes, or maybe bacon and French toast, and that is completely wrong. Why not have a burger patty with some asparagus and a scoop of almonds for breakfast?

From the day your parents put food in front of you they never would have thought to put a burger with a side of asparagus and nuts in front of you for your first meal of the day.

Another term that is often alienated is 'snack.'

When you hear that term you might be thinking of a hot fudge sundae, or apple pie, probably served later in the evening after you have eaten three square meals.

That is another incorrect assumption that society has spun on you.

A 'snack' really could be eaten at any time of day, and it does not have to be something sweet and fattening.

Instead of being a slice of apple pie, why not have a whole apple, or maybe a berry medley topped with honey with some walnuts, and sunflower seeds mixed in?

The whole point of this is to get you to take that book of unwritten rules and throw it away. Take the blinders off and start looking at food differently because most people have the wrong idea.

Who says you cannot eat an omelet for dinner?

Who says you cannot fish for breakfast?

You know the answer to those questions, and the answer is nobody. Do not let society's spin on food control your weight loss.

Remember, those who get ahead do things that everyone else does not.

If you found this article to be helpful then check out Eating To Lose, a free site that looks outside the box on dieting, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle as it relates to your physical goals. There is even a free plan there to help you get started.

Fat Doesn't Make You Fat - This Does

 

By Rich Clarke

Fat doesn't make you Fat?

Many people believe that the best way to lose fat is simply by cutting out fats from their diets. They have visions of the fat in their food clogging up their arteries.

Most diet enthusiasts or people trying to eat healthy will look at the back of a packet see a high fat content and put it straight back on the shelf.

I have heard people say "as long as its 3% fat or less I can have it".

They become blind to the fact that we need fats in our diet and are only concerned in avoiding anything high in fat.

Big mistake.

Your brain is over 60% fat.

The Fat you eat gets turned into the building materials for your hormones. If you want to feel good its pretty important.

A low fat diet will make you feel like rubbish and throw your hormones out of balance.

There is a massive problem.

The diet advice given by the government trained advisers like dieticians and some nutritionists is to eat high carbohydrate, low fat diet. Unfortunately after many years we now know this makes people more overweight not less.

Say NO to Low Fat

There are many low in fat substitutes which I will tell you to stay well clear of, things like low fat crisps yoghurts and cereal bars I wouldn't bother with.

Low fat more often than not means high in sugar and high in toxins. Exactly what we are trying to avoid. Toxins clog up our cells and carbohydrates are the real offenders in making us overweight.

I will say it now, a lot of people probably need to be eating more fat and less carbohydrates.

It is important though that it is the right type of fats and carbs.

There are good fats and bad fats, I'm sure you have all heard of saturated fats and trans-fats and You should stay well clear of these.

There are good fats out there though; you should stick to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats whilst reducing your intake of trans-fats and saturated fats, there is a reason that these fats were banned from food products in certain places around the world!

It is true if you ate a diet high in fatty foods such as chips, burgers, pastries, pizza and fried chicken, you would get fat and ill.

However if you want lots of energy and health the types of fat you need to be consuming include nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocados and fish.

Coconut oil is a good product to buy, you should use it for cooking and it supplies a good source of omega 3 fatty acids which are anti inflammatory. Coconut milk is also another good ingredient you should try! If you struggle to include fish in your diet I would recommend purchasing a good quality fish oil supplement.

You should also eat good quality eggs and red meat as there are lots of hormone boosting fats in there. The cholesterol found in red meat and eggs can boost a mans testosterone significantly.

You should swap margarine for normal organic butter.

Why do we need fats?

Fats make up a crucial part of a well balanced diet, a well balanced diet will help you with fat loss, so really eating fat can help you lose fat. Combining your good fats with some quality protein and good carbs is a recipe for success.

Fats are necessary for energy, if you cut out all of your fats you would feel tired and fatigued and be unable to do anything properly. Fat helps to boost your immune system, aids brain functioning, stops harmful diseases and without it your hair, skin, nails and joints would suffer. Eating fats is a great way of filling you up and helps to prevent you from snacking on junk foods, as well as that, fats are rich in flavour!

What Does Actually Make Us Fat?

As I have already mentioned carbohydrates in excess are one of the main contributors to what makes people overweight.

Along with your body being toxic from the many years of inadvertent intake of the 100 thousand chemicals found in our bodies, our hormones play a big part in our ability to gain or lose weight.

Its all linked obviously as one thing affects the other, becoming toxic leads to hormone imbalances.

Often the reason why people become overweight is through their sedentary lifestyle and their carbohydrate intake.

Popular meals amongst people who are trying to eat healthy but don't have the knowledge to do so would include things like pasta dishes, baguettes with white bread and rice dishes.

The problem with carbs is usually the type and quantity.

Poor type and too much of it.

When carbohydrates enter the body they trigger an increase in our insulin levels, the insulin helps the body convert the food you ate into energy for the body to use called glucose. Insulin is a growth hormone.

When these insulin levels are constantly increased by the high carb meals that we eat it can lead us to store these foods as fat, particularly around the stomach area.

Things like chocolate, sweets, bread, pasta, beer(is mostly sugar) and biscuits (products containing wheat and gluten) are very inflammatory (bad!) and have a greater potential to be stored as fat.

The amount of carbohydrates you eat need to be limited and the types of carbohydrates you eat need to be looked at. As a rule of thumb you should try and eat more carbs on exercise days where your body needs more energy.

As mentioned you need to address the types of carbs you eat, try swapping normal white rice or pilau rice for brown rice, wild rice or basmati rice, noodles for rice noodles and normal pasta for rice pasta. If you are going to eat bread then try and eat rye bread or spelt bread and have just a couple of slices a week.

Stay away from the refined carbs and things high in sugar if you want to lose fat.

When you do reduce your carb intake this increases the importance of fats, without your usual 'filling' carbs you could feel very hungry, as you probably know feeling hungry all the time will eventually lead to snacking.

So eating fats helps to fill the void left by cutting out those unhealthy carbs. Also if you do have a sweet tooth like me, try a couple of squares of 70-80% organic dark chocolate 2-3 times a week when you feel the need for it, this food is a great way or curbing your hunger.

So there you have it, fat is not the enemy and without it we can't function.

Rather than looking for the low fat option of everything why not just have enough high fat foods to keep us going. Low fat foods can leave us hungry where the full fat versions will satisfy the hunger more and damage our body less.

Hopefully I have opened your eyes a bit to the importance of fat and given you a bit more information about carbohydrates and why you need to keep an eye on them. You now have all the information you need to maintain a well balanced diet.

Thanks for reading,

Maintaining Good Health While Living Your Life

 

By Brenda L Clark

A little snack here or an extra helping there. These actions seem so harmless, but they can lead to a downward spiral. It seems that weight comes on so much quicker and easier than dropping those extra pounds and inches.

Keeping consistent and healthy eating habits are crucial for maintaining a fit body. The problem with having that "bad" snack is that most people don't account for it in their daily activity. Adding one snack while keeping your same activity level for the day leaves you off-balance considering intake of calories and working them off. Sometimes, just the thought process of how much extra activity needs to be worked in to take off the excess calories is enough to make you skip the snack. It is always better to omit the bad habit rather than having to make-up for it later. Be aware of everything that goes in your stomach.

Water is a very important part of our body and replenishment is needed all day long. On the other hand, some beverages should be eliminated all together. Any alcoholic beverage should be skipped. These are empty calories and are detrimental to your health in so many ways. Alcohol changes chemistry in your body and often reduces your awareness. You may tend to have those snacks that are hard to work off and you may not go through your activity level thought process at that time.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a daily ritual that needs to stay consistent to keep yourself in line. Staying active and eating healthy can reduce the risk of major chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Feeling good shows in many ways. You will feel happier, healthier and it's always nice to have your clothes fit from season to season without dreading the closet changeover.

Now that you have made it through the holiday parties and all the holiday snacks, you can move into thoughts of outdoor spring activities. Seasons make it nice for a change in activities. While winter has its snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating, spring is right around the corner with hiking, lawn work and gardening. There are so many ways to be active without gym memberships or physical trainers. The free activities are usually the ones that are more enjoyable. Except for the house cleaning exercise, that isn't always so fun but activity indeed. Keep active and stay healthy!