Understanding Antioxidants

There are not a lot of people who especially want to be sick, but at the same time, there are not a lot of people who truly know how important antioxidants are for keeping them healthy. The simplest way to explain antioxidants is that they help the body by impairing the oxidation of other molecules. Of course, this might sound like a bad thing, but actually, there are molecules that you probably do not want oxidized! For instance, a lot of brain disease is caused by the oxidation of certain molecules. Furthermore, antioxidants can prevent heart disease. Finally, your body can over-oxidize during exercise, which can contribute to muscle fatigue. Because of all this, it is vital for each person to understand what antioxidants are and to also understand how to get antioxidants into the body.

One example of antioxidants is certain vitamins such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E. A great source of antioxidants, therefore, is those fruits and vegetables so many people try to avoid. If you have a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, you will be introducing more antioxidants into your body, and you will be decreasing your body's susceptibility to disease.

Another wonderful way to introduce antioxidants into your body is by eating fish. By eating certain fish - with salmon, grouper, and flounder among the best of them - you can help your body a ton by giving it antioxidants along with important proteins and minerals. You will also increase your intake of antioxidants if you cook this fish in extra virgin olive oil.

Finally, three easy ways to add antioxidants into your body are by drinking green tea, eating dark chocolate, and drinking red wine. Small doses of dark chocolate and red wine are great for you body (but keep in mind that large doses of either are not!). And as for green tea, you can add antioxidants into your body and have a thoroughly relaxing drink, all at the same time. By any of these three ways, you can keep yourself healthier, and will probably enjoy doing so in the process.

While it is very easy to just consume whatever we want and not pay attention to what is good and what is bad, it is nearly as easy to actually learn and pay attention. And by simply taking the time to watch what you put into your body, you will keep your body healthier, and you will enjoy life a whole lot more.

Keeping Your Back Healthy

Mind is All

One of the most important parts of your body is your back, especially because of the fact that your spinal column houses a great highway of information to and from your body, but also because back pain can simply wreck every other part of your day; because of this, it is important that you are always taking the small steps you can take to keep your back healthy, and what you may not have realized is that this is a whole lot easier to do than most people imagine!

Of course, if you experience back problems on a regular basis, you may need to have your back adjusted; going to a masseuse or a chiropractor can be expensive, but you may actually find that your insurance will cover the majority of the costs for your visits – and if your problems are not extreme, you will also find that a massage chair will do enough to get your back realigned to where it feels great!

Another great way to ensure that your back feels great in the long run is by making sure to stretch on a regular basis; when you take a bit of time to focus on your back each day through simple stretches, you will relieve your back of the discomfort it has been feeling.

And finally, you should be aware of the fact that having a strong back will go a long way in preventing problems in your back; regardless of whether or not you have experienced back problems, you should take a bit of time each day to do some simple exercises – ranging from exercise with weights to sit-ups and crunches – that will cause your back to become stronger.

Dealing with back problems can make everything in your life seem a whole lot more difficult than there is any need for it to be; instead of allowing yourself to “just deal with” these problems, take these easy steps to make your back more healthy, and watch as the back problems you used to deal with begin to disappear!

Swim To Stay Healthy

There are a lot of ways to stay healthy, and quite frankly, there are a lot of odd ways to stay healthy these days. But if you want to go with something normal, something that has stood the test of time, a great option for staying in shape is swimming. Not only is swimming fun, but it is also a great way to exercise for keeping your entire body in shape.

While the most optimal manner of swimming includes a scenario where you own your own pool, you are not excluded from swimming if you are without a pool of your own. Plenty of gyms have swimming pools, as do such places as the YMCA. These pools are typically indoor pools also, which will allow you to swim year-round. If these options are not available where you live, you can likely find a community pool. You can find some of these pools that are free, and others of these pools that require a membership; in either case, assuming you do not mind the crowds of a community pool, they are definitely a viable and worthwhile option. Finally, you can usually avoid crowded waters by finding a lake or a slice of ocean to swim in. Such swimming options are especially great because you can swim in fresh air, without any chlorine.

As you begin to incorporate swimming into your routine, you will reap a variety of health benefits. Swimming is one of the only true full-body workouts, which is one of the best things about it. Swimming also keeps you from putting a bunch of strain on your joints and muscles, as it is a low-impact workout. Swimming even stretches out your muscles, which will increase your mobility.

Finally, swimming is an excellent aerobic workout. Swimming can help you combat aging, and it can help you avoid disease, as the workout of swimming will keep your heart happy and your blood circulation free from problems.

There is certainly no miracle workout that keeps you thin and healthy and cures a multitude of illnesses. But if there is any workout that comes close to being this, swimming is definitely it! Now is as good a time as any to start adding swimming to your regular routine.

Simple Tips For Losing Belly Fat

Mind is All

There is a problem that many of us deal with, whether we want to admit it or not. Deny it though we might, try to hide it though we might, it is still there. It can make us feel uncomfortable, self-conscious. It is belly fat, and we don't know how to get rid of it! If you find yourself in this position, take solace in the fact that you are not alone. In fact, it is a widespread problem due specifically to the fact that so many people have no clue how to get rid of it. You might be in what seems to be a losing battle with belly fat, but you can turn things around by following these tips.

First off, you cannot just eat healthy - you also have to add in exercise. This does not just mean stomach exercises, either; you have to get your cardiovascular system going by doing aerobic workouts. By taking just three or four days a week to walk, jog, bike, or swim, you can kick your metabolism up a notch. You absolutely must do this if you want to get rid of that pesky flab.

Next, you have to strengthen the muscles in your body by working out all parts. It might seem silly to think that pushups or squats would help you lose stomach fat, but it is true! By working out all parts of your body, you will optimize your body's ability to burn fat. You do not have to do intense, life-changing workouts in order to work out all parts of your body. Find something you enjoy, and then stick with it!

And finally, of course, you can certainly help your battle against stomach fat by doing stomach exercises. Instead of just picking one stomach exercise and sticking to it, mix things up with a variety of stomach and ab exercises. You will begin to build muscle in your stomach and burn fat down there all at the same time.

Having a healthy diet and doing stomach workouts are important if you want to lose belly fat, but you cannot win the battle by doing these two things alone. Take the time to figure out a workout schedule that works for you, where you can get your aerobic exercise and fit in workouts that take care of your entire body. In time, that belly fat will start to melt away, and you will be happier and happier with the way you look!

Tips For Keeping Your Body Active

In your quest to keep your body healthy, one thing you will want to look to do is keep your body active, as this will go a long way in ensuring that you stay in good shape and that you are able to ward off sickness; of course, most people think of "exercise" when they think of keeping their body active, but this is not the only way by which you can go about making sure you stay healthy by staying active.

Now, you should realize that exercise is definitely one of the approaches you can take in order to keep yourself active, but one thing you will want to do is make sure you understand the right ways to work out and the wrong ways to work out; a lot of people tend to think that "more is better" when it comes to working out, bur realize that you can actually work out too much - which will fatigue your body, and will give you cravings for foods you do not want to be putting inside your body - and it is often better to do light workouts (or even just to do nothing more than stretch on some days!) than to push yourself too hard.

Another great way to stay active - outside of the rigors of "exercise" - is to find an outdoor hobby that you enjoy, and to engage in it regularly; this can be something as simple as golf or even disc golf, or can be something such as rock climbing or mountain biking - as long as you are getting outside, moving around, and giving your body some fresh air and sunlight, you will reap the benefits that come along with whatever this activity is.

And of course, you should make sure that you are not allowing yourself to get into the habit of making your "activity" too regimented, as your body does not operate on a weekly or daily schedule, and neither should you when it comes to taking care of your body. Instead of setting aside certain times of the day during which you try to do your workouts, get in the habit of moving around frequently at a slow pace (which can be as simple as walking!), and this will go a long way in keeping your body active, and in helping your body to be as healthy as you want it to be.

Getting Back to Sleep - Dealing With Insomnia in the Moment

Mind is All

If you can't get to sleep and you have a big commitment the next day, you need solutions, and you need them now. You can't delay. What can a frustrated insomniac do?

Get out of bed. It's tempting to stay in bed and just keeping trying to force yourself to sleep, but you'll probably just work yourself up more from all the trying. You may need to “try again”, almost like a plane that tried to come in for a landing, realized the approach was too steep, and needs to re-circle the airport and try again. Your body has gotten used to falling asleep at a certain time, and if for some reason you missed that time, or you were too stimulated at the time you usually fall asleep, you may have to jolt your body into thinking it has another chance.

Drink some warm milk. It’s true: warm milk will make you sleepy. If you're not crazy about warm milk, try a natural sleep tea like Valerian or Chamomile, both of which are quite effective.

Do something that will relax you and possibly bore you. Dim the lights, and think of something that will make you get drowsy. Resist the temptation to watch movies, surf the web, or use electronics because the stimulation will prevent you from falling asleep. Instead try something like meditation, knitting, or reading a light magazine.

Come up with a plan. If you suspect your insomnia is linked to a concern or stress, trying writing out what you can do about it. Don't send emails or take action; instead just write out what you can do and what you can't do.

After this, head back to bed and see if you can’t beat your insomnia yet. Get some rest!

Working Out Your Abs Without Hurting Your Back

The majority of people wish that they had "great abs," but while many people try to make it sound like getting good ab muscles is as simple as doing a few easy workouts, this is rarely the case, as most ab workouts are not only far less effective than they claim to be, but many of them are also downright painful to do if your back is sensitive at all. If you are looking for a way to strengthen your abs without hurting your back, the good news is that there are not only a few things you can do that are quite easy, but these "quite easy" things are actually even more effective than most of the other workouts out there!

Most workouts that are labeled "ab workouts" are actually "core workouts" - meaning that they strengthen your whole core, which includes your back - which is important for you to realize; but if your back is in pain from strain, and not from simple "workout pain," you should be doing something different.

Swimming is the best workout for your whole body, including your core, as it is a full-body workout that is also low-impact (which means it will not hurt your joints and muscles), but of course, swimming is not always a viable option if you do not have a pool of your own.

You will actually find that you are strengthening your core quite a bit when you do pushups, but even better than pushups is to assume the pushup position with your elbows and forearms resting on the ground, and to simply hold yourself in this position for as long as you can, repeating this for three to five reps; this might seem like you are doing nothing, but you will actually be giving your ab and back muscles a great workout!

And when it comes to workouts that feel like you are doing nothing, the one that feels this way more than any other is for you to sit on a fitness ball; it might seem like you are doing nothing but just sitting there, but incredibly, you will actually be strengthening your core the entire time!

Working Out To Lose Weight

Mind is All

One goal many people have is that of losing weight, and in their efforts to lose weight, many of these people will pick up some sort of exercise regimen, hoping that this will whip their body into the shape they want it to be in; one thing that you should realize, however, is that you cannot simply commit to a strenuous workout regimen and expect to lose weight as a result, as there are more things that will go into losing weight than simply working out hard.

If "losing weight" is your goal, you should make sure you are engaging in cardiovascular activity, but one thing that many people fail to realize is that walking can be just as effective as running; if running tends to give your joints and back problems, commit to walking every day instead, as 20 or 30 minutes of walking on a daily basis can do a great deal to help you shed those extra pounds.

One thing you should realize when you go to the gym to lift is that some workouts are designed to build muscle while others are designed to tone muscles, and if you are wanting to lose weight, building muscle is probably not what you are going for; aim to engage in vigorous workouts that will tone your muscles, as this will help you to lose weight and to look more lean and trim as well.

And one mistake many people make is that they do crunches all the time in order to get a flat belly, failing to realize that crunches really just strengthen your abs, which does nothing to get rid of the excess belly fat; if you want to shed some weight from your belly, get on a flat belly diet, as this will do a lot more to help you lose weight than any stomach exercises could possibly do.

By taking these steps to lose weight, you will start seeing gradual improvements, and eventually these gradual improvements will add up until your body looks the way you have been wanting it to look!

Healthy Alternatives To Coffee

Coffee is either wonderful for your body or is absolutely horrific, all depending on where you get your information from. One thing, however, is absolutely certain: coffee with sugar is no good for you, because caffeine turns glucose into fat. Also, you don't want to drink coffee with cream or half and half if you want to be healthy. And finally - even if we are just talking about coffee - it's never exactly great to be "addicted to" something, or to be "dependent upon" something. If you are looking to balance your coffee drinking with something else, or if you are looking to move away from coffee entirely, these are three viable options.

1) Tea: Even though tea includes caffeine, the caffeine content is much lower than in coffee, and tea is a much healthier alternative. The antioxidants in tea helps your body fight diseases, and green tea can also help with digestive disorders. Green tea also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which is great for those who suffer from diabetes. Tea can also be consumed throughout the day, without the fear of adverse effects that comes from drinking coffee all day long.

2) Yerba Mate: While some people consider Yerba Mate to be a form of tea, it actually is not. Yerbe Mate is created from the yerba mate plant, which is native to South America. You can find Yerba Mate packaged at such stores as Whole Foods, and you can even brew it in your traditional coffee pot. Although Yerbe Mate does not have high caffeine levels, it has a stimulating effect on the body. This stimulating effect is similar to what you would get from coffee or tea, but with additional health benefits. Yerba Mate is considered to be an acquired taste, but if you are feeling adventurous in your quest to kick the coffee habit, it is definitely worth a shot.

3) Fruit juice or vegetable juice: Though unconventional substitutes for coffee, fruit and vegetable juices are great alternatives. Most fruit and vegetable juices are packed with vitamins, and if you make it at home or buy organic, you will not be adding those nasty preservatives or piles of sugar. Although these drinks do not provide the immediate kick you can get from coffee, they are a much healthier alternative, and they will leave your body feeling clean and refreshed.

It's not easy to kick the coffee habit, but these alternatives will help you move one step closer to achieving your goal.

Finding Foods to Eat When You Have Morning Sickness

Mind is All

Morning sickness can cause the early part of your pregnancy to be just miserable.  Finding things to eat can be a struggle. It can be hard to find nutritious food that sits well in your stomach. Here are some suggestions to try on your tender stomach.

Queasy stomaches sometimes do well with fresh fruits. Strawberries and orange juice are two things that may or may not work for you. If you can eat them they are full of vitamins and foliate. Bananas are high in foliate and potassium.  These are both things that pregnant women need very much.

If you are struggling with protein in your diet consider yogurt. This dairy product is high in protein and also has probiotics (live bacteria). The probiotics can also assist in preventing yeast infections that plague some women during pregnancy. Hot cerials sometimes sit well on an upset stomach.  You could try Malt-o-meal to see how it sits. Malt-o-meal is high in protein and also in foliate.

Lentils are also a mild tasting food to consider. Pregnant women despirately need protein, iron, and fiber and lentils boast all of these things. Quinoa (a grain like seed) is a great mild option to try also. This has a mild nutty flavor and is high in protein and iron. You can make a nice breakfast with this an some raisins and brown sugar.

You can get large amounts of fiber and iron from figs. Sweeter fruits can sometimes stay down more easily. Nuts are also a great way to get some calories. These are high fiber and have some great omega fatty acids in them.

There is no question that it is important for any mother to be to eat as well as they can during pregnancy. Unfortunatey this can be hard to do when nothing is sitting well on your stomach. Try different foods from the suggestions above.  Some may sit better then others but you may find a combo that works well for you.

Taking A Look At Three Easy Ways To Stay Healthy

Taking good care of your body and mind, making sure they remain healthy, will be one of the most important things in your life, and while most people are aware of this, the approaches people take toward staying healthy often become so complex and complicated that no one is able to keep up with them. While it is certainly good to keep some of these more complex approaches to health in mind, it is even more important for you to keep the simple things in mind - as these are the things you will be able to keep up with throughout the entirety of your life, and these are also the things that will make the biggest difference in how healthy you are.

Remain active: Most people put a lot of emphasis on the idea of "exercising," or on other approaches to keeping their body in good shape, but while exercise is certainly helpful, the most important thing of all is that you make sure you are remaining active - even at those times when you do not especially feel like "working out."

Drink water: One of the important things people often neglect, in spite of all the diet crazes they get into, is drinking as much water as they should; water is the most important thing you can put into your body, and you can keep yourself much healthier than you otherwise could if you simply drink a gallon of water each day.

Laugh: The saying "laughter is the best medicine" is heard so often that it loses its impact on most people, but even though it might seem like something that is simply nice to say, it is also true: laughter will keep your body and mind healthy in a way that nothing else can!

Chasing more complex and complicated approaches to staying healthy is certainly not bad, but even as you look into some of these different approaches to health, make sure you are also keeping these things in mind, as they will keep you healthy for a long time to come.

How To Keep Weight Off

Mind is All

Most people have a desire to be at a certain weight, or at least to look a certain way that they feel is "ideal," but even as much as some people want to look a certain way or keep off the weight, it seems like it is impossible for them to accomplish these goals; if you are in a position where you feel that you are unable to keep yourself at the weight you desire, no matter what you do, here are a few things you may want to keep in mind, checking to see if one of them might make the difference and put you in that area of weight you are hoping to be in!

A lot of people end up eating things that they think are healthy without actually realizing what they are putting into their bodies; one example of this is nuts, as a carton of mixed nuts might be healthy on the surface, but mixed nuts usually are coated in salt (which is not good for you!), and nuts are also high in calories (as well as calories from fat), which makes them a bad thing for your body if you eat too many of them. This is just one example of a food item that people assume is healthy, but that is not really as healthy as people imagine; when it comes to the foods you are eating, you should always make sure you know whether they are truly healthy for you!

You should also pay attention to what time of day you are eating certain things; for instance, many people eat big dinners and small breakfasts (or no breakfast at all), but the closer you get to bedtime, the smaller you will want your meals to be - so make an effort to change things around, so that you are eating bigger meals in the morning, and are shrinking your meals as you move forward through the day.

And no matter how well you eat, it will not have a big impact on you if you are inactive; make an effort to get outside for walks or jogs or bike rides, or to go to the gym for a workout, and you will soon find that you are dropping those pounds you were unable to get rid of before!

Preparing Delicious Bagels

Bagels are always a great fallback when you are looking for a snack in the middle of the morning, or during a relaxing afternoon at home, but as wonderful as bagels are, there are many people who fail to get as much out of their bagels as they should, because they limit their thinking when it comes to preparing bagels.

Of course, the standard bagel preparation simply calls for a bit of butter or cream cheese lathered onto a freshly toasted bagel – but not only is this an unhealthy way for you to enjoy your bagels, but it might also be one of the less delicious ways also!

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich on two pieces of bread is a perfectly adequate sandwich, but most people never think about making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich using a bagel; with a sesame seed bagel or an everything bagel, you will have a nice compliment of flavor to your peanut butter and jelly – and in fact, peanut butter and/or jelly alone tastes great on these bagels as well!

When you are packing a sandwich to take with you to work (or on more pleasant days, to take with you on a picnic), a bagel is also a great base; simply prepare your sandwich the way you normally would, but use a bagel instead of using regular bread!

And of course, a breakfast sandwich with a bagel as the base can barely be beat; toast your bagel until it is nice and crisp, then add a fried egg with some cheese (and even with a bit of meat – such as sausage or ham), and you will have a delicious breakfast sandwich to start your day rolling in the right direction!

When you begin to get a little more creative with your bagels, you will be able to truly get the most out of them – as they will go from being a food that is simply “good” to being something you are able to truly love!

How To Stay Awake During The Day

Mind is All

Many people tend to have a hard time staying awake throughout the day, especially if they work at a job that requires them to sit at a desk all day (after all, sitting at a desk, at a computer, is not all that exciting!), but while it might be difficult at times to stay awake throughout the day, it is also often necessary - so rather than complaining about how difficult it is to stay awake, you will be better off figuring out what works for you to help you stay awake.

Of course, the best way to ensure that you are able to stay awake throughout the day is getting the right amount of sleep, but in case you are not getting enough sleep, one thing you can consider doing to stay awake throughout the day is drink your coffee or energy drink later in the day than you usually do; most people who drink coffee or energy drinks are in the habit of drinking them in the morning, but if you wait until later in the day, you will avoid the crash that can often occur as a result of consuming this energy boost too early!

Going for a short walk is another great way to help you stay awake; going for a walk can get your blood flowing a bit if you are working at a desk all day - which will help you to stay awake - and will also give your mind a bit of a break (as well as a bit of a change of scene!), which will also go a long way in keeping you awake and alert.

And even though indulging in this particular approach might not always be possible, taking a nap is one of the best ways to get a new burst of energy in the middle of the day; if you work at home (or if you have a long enough lunch break to make this a possibility), consider taking a 20 or 30 minute nap during the day, and watch as your body and mind are given new energy for the remainder of the day.

When you are getting tired during the day, you may already have a few tricks up your sleeve for keeping yourself awake - but if you do not, these are some great ideas for you to keep in mind!

Daily Skin Care Advice for Teens

Are your teenagers dealing with skin issues? Are you looking for simple skin care solutions? Use these skin care tips as guidelines for clear, clean complexions.

Establish a regular skin care program. It's important to wash in the morning and night, but you really shouldn't wash more than that. Too much washing (especially if you're using harsh soaps) will make your skin dry out and crack. Invest in a gentle cleanser, and never use soap.

Next use an exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin. You can make a homemade scrub by taking three uncoated aspirin tablets and putting them in a small container with half a tablespoon of water. Crush it up with a spoon, mixing in the water. Then stir in a couple tablespoons of honey. Use this to scrub your forehead, nose, and chin area. Rinse after scrubbing.

Use moisturizer every morning and evening. Use a moisturizer with salicylic acid to prevent additional breakouts. Don't be afraid of moisturizer; just buy an oil-free version. The worst problem is to let your skin dry out, because then your oil glands will work overtime to produce oil to make up for the dryness.

Stay away from cream makeup and liquid foundation if you have severe acne. Instead look for mineral powder make up, and use it very sparingly.

If you have persistent blackheads, pay for a professional, thorough extraction. Try not to bother blackheads at home, but if you must, wash your hands and face well and be very gentle. Try not to break the skin as you coax the blackheads out. It’s worth it to pay a professional once in a while so you won’t do serious damage to your skin that may result in scarring.

The small time investment will help you have glowing skin. Don't ignore your skin; problems can flare up quickly when skin gets irritated.

Staying In Great Shape Without "Working Out"

Mind is All

The idea of being in shape and having a body that one can feel good about is something that appeals to most people, but many of these same people cannot quite bring their body to put in the work it needs to put in for them to reach this point; at the same time, however - if you have ever felt this way yourself - one thing you should realize is that there are actually a number of ways to work out your body without actually doing a "workout"!

One of the best ways to work out your arms, your lats, and your legs is by rock climbing; whether it is by joining a rock climbing gym or by going rock climbing outdoors, this is an activity that can be done simply for fun - but as you do it, you will be seriously strengthening a number of areas in your body, moving you closer to that body you hope to have!

Hiking is a great way to work out your legs more directly, and in a different manner; of course, some people choose the workout of "walking," but others find walking to be too bland (or to feel too much like they are doing it just to "workout," which turns them off the idea altogether!), but hiking can be done simply for the joy of getting out into nature and exploring - all while giving your legs a great workout over varied terrain.

And if you want to give your body a good cardiovascular workout, but do not especially feel like going for runs or playing sports, consider jumping rope; to some people, jumping rope certainly feels like a workout, but to others, it feels like nothing more than a throwback to their childhood - something that is fun and enjoyable, while also giving their body an inarguably high-quality cardiovascular workout!

When you keep these ideas in mind, you will find that it is easier to move yourself toward reaching the goal of that body you want to reach, all without having to "workout," but instead by being able to simply engage in activities that are a lot of fun!

Five Ways to Eat Fewer Calories

Are you trying to lose weight? Are you having trouble defeating your bad eating habits? Try these painless tricks for eating less without even noticing.

Buy smaller plates. Or buy plates that are large, but have a wide brim with a colorful design on them, making the eating surface appear smaller. The trick here is to make your serving size look bigger than it is, which will help you serve yourself and eat less. You can do the same thing with bowls. Serve desserts in delicate, small dishes that will make your scoop of ice cream look bigger than it is.

Use tall, slim glasses for drinks. The height of the glass will trick your eye into thinking you have more than you do. Use low or no calorie garnishes (mint, lemon, lime, berries) to dress up your drinks, and use a low or no calorie beverage.

Don't eat anywhere but at the table. Make yourself set the table and sit down every time you eat and you’ll cut calories without realizing it. A lot of overeating happens while watching TV, working on the computer, or standing in the kitchen, just "having a little snack".

Find ways to add extra vegetables into recipes. If you have a recipe that calls for all meat, cheese, and starches, add in a complimentary vegetable or two to add color, flavor, and fiber. For example, try spinach and mushrooms in an Itallian pasta dish, or snow peas or asparagus in hot dishes. You'll improve the taste, texture, and nutritional value of the meal while reducing calories per serving.

Educate yourself on the unsavory side of foods. Rent "Supersize Me", and conjure up unpleasant parts of the movie when you're tempted to eat fast food. Do you find yourself eating hot dogs or brats? Look up what’s really inside those puppies. Try to think of healthy foods as good rewards instead of thinking of unhealthy foods as deserved treats.

These guidelines can empower you to eat fewer calories and live more healthfully.

Are Fish Oil Supplements Good For You?

Mind is All

Many doctors recommend this because fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which has been proven to be beneficial for your health. However, how much do you need, and what are good ways to get omega-3 fatty acids? You may have heard of people taking fish oil supplements to improve heart health. How much fish oil is too much, and why is it considered beneficial?

Many studies have proven the medical benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are credited with improving heart and artery health, which can affect everything from risk of heart disease to lower blood pressure and healthier arteries.

How can you get omega-3 fatty acids? The natural source is fish, but nuts and soybeans also contain one of the three omega-3 fatty acids (ALA – alpha-linolenic acid). Because a lot of the fish available have been contaminated with environmental contaminants, you may want to get a portion of your omega-3 fatty acids from real fish, but some from nuts, fish oil supplements, and soy products, spreading out your sources.

How much should you take? However, you'll need to limit your intake of omega-3 fatty acids because too much can cause health problems. You may risk uncontrolled bleeding if you take too much omega-3 fatty acids, so if you are prone to this, you'll want to be extra careful. You’ll also want to watch how much omega-6 fatty acids you are consuming, since omega-6 fatty acids interfere with the body’s ability to use omega-3 fatty acids.

You are consuming omega-6 fatty acids every time you eat linoleic-rich vegetable oils. If you eat less omega-6, you'll need less omega-3. Most Americans would benefit from eating fatty fish two times a week and eating soy and nuts every day. If you know you consume a lot of omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oil), you'll want to eat more omega-3 fatty acids if you wish to experience the heart health benefits. Talk to your doctor about your diet and health needs before consuming fish oil supplements so you can calculate the appropriate dosage for your situation. You will want to take precautions with children in particular; ask your doctor if fish oil supplements will be helpful or harmful for your child before giving them supplements.

Tips For Keeping Healthy By Balancing Your Life

In order to stay healthy, most people put a lot of focus, time, and energy into the areas of trying to eat healthy and trying to get some exercise. But one area that people often neglect in their pursuit of health is a balance in their life. And actually, keeping your life balanced is one of the biggest things for staying healthy - as it allows your mind and your body to fulfill all the things they are designed to fulfill.

Work: This is the area that many people focus their energies on, and it is certainly an important part of every person's life. After all, "work" lends a sense of purpose to one's everyday existence, and this is why you often see people whose health declines rapidly as soon as they retire. But it is also easy for work to become the sole focus in people's lives - whether they want it to become this or not! This is why people need to make sure they focus fully on work while they are at work, and then leave it alone when they leave!

Rest: Rest, or "relaxation" is the area of balance that people long for but often end up pushing to the side. The body and mind require rest in order to function properly - and not just rest when you go to sleep at night, either! You should make sure you rest, relax, and enjoy the world around you every day by setting aside a certain time of day during which you will aim to do this.

Play: And of course, playing is the area of balance that many people tend to forget altogether. But while it might seem like "play" is only for children, it is actually an important part of adult life as well. Every day, you should take some time to "play," whether this is by engaging in a hobby, playing with your kids, or playing a board game.

When you combine these three areas of balance - work, rest, and play - into a single concoction, you will find that you feel much better, and that each day is far more rewarding!

Effective Resistance Training Programs You Can Do at Home

Mind is All

You may not be a mountain climber, but you still need to make resistance training a part of your fitness plan. The following exercises will help you build muscle and get toned.

A resistance band is the perfect instrument for toning upper body muscles. Grasp an end of the resistance band in either hand and then step on the middle of the band. Pull up on the band using a variety of poses to work your biceps, triceps, and shoulders. As you determine which moves work which muscle sets the most effectively, develop a routine using your unique pulls. Work through series of pulls until you hit muscle failure and need to rest.

Work your upper body with your body weight. Start from a normal push up position, lying on the floor. Do a set of push ups, rest, and then follow with a plank position, holding the position as long as you can. Rest again, and ease your way into downward dog, with your legs straight and your arms stretched in front of you, your body forming a triangle. Hold the position, allowing your shoulders to take the brunt of the weight. Stretch and repeat as needed.

Next you can challenge your lower body with the resistance band. Adjust the resistance band such that it rests on your ankles, and then walk to the side, taking wide steps and feeling the resistance from the band in your inner and outer thighs. Side walk, using the band for resistance, from side to side until you feel the muscles fatiguing. With the band still around your ankles, shift your weight such that it is on one leg entirely, and extend the leg forward, then back, then to the side, then back, each time using the band for resistance. Make sure to switch legs so both sides get an equal workout.

You can also work your lower body simply by using your own weight. Slide into a squatting position, engaging your buttocks, keeping your legs at a 90-degree angle. When you fatigue, stand up, stretch a bit, and then repeat the squat again.

This resistance training program will get you toned up in a jiffy, if only you persevere. You'll get the best results if you buy an inexpensive set of resistance bands.

Exercises To Strengthen Your Core

These days, many people wear down their body with all sorts of different strenuous activities - and one of the main reasons why they do all this "exercising" is to get their body looking the way they want their body to look; what many of these people fail to realize, however, is that a lot of the exercises they are doing are fatiguing their body and doing it more harm than good - and if the area of their body they are trying to focus on is their core (that is, their abs!), there is really very little they need to in order to effectively work out this part of their body, and they can do so without wearing down their body in the process!

On top of making your abs look good, strengthening your core will also strengthen your lower back, and will thereby make it less likely that you will deal with back problems, and will make it more likely that you will stay healthy overall - and the most basic way for you to strengthen your core is by doing pushups and crunches; keep your abs tightened while you do pushups, and try to do a few sets of crunches each day, and you will find that both your abs and your lower back are becoming a whole lot stronger.

You can also strengthen your core by doing anything that forces you to tighten your abdomen; a couple ways you can engage in exercises that have this result are by doing pull-ups (which will seriously work out your core!) and by using a weight machine on which you can do any sort of pull-down exercise.

And not only will you help you to strengthen your core by tightening your abs while doing pushups and doing exercises that force you to tighten your abs, but you can also strengthen your core just by tightening your abs when you are sitting right there at your computer reading this - or while you are sitting at your desk at work, or while you are driving in your car! Train yourself to start tightening your abs for about fifteen seconds at a time throughout the day, and you will soon find that your abs and your lower back are, quite incredibly, a whole lot stronger than they were before!

Five Tricks For Eating Fewer Calories

Mind is All

Have you committed yourself to a weight loss plan? Are you having trouble defeating your bad eating habits? The following tips will help you eat fewer calories without feeling deprived.

Use small plates whenever possible. If you buy large plates, look for plates with a wide, colorful brim so the eating surface in the center looks smaller. The food will look like a larger helping because of its size in comparison to the plate, which will make you eat less. Follow the same plan with bowls. Choose elegant or fun dishes that will make your smaller serving of ice cream feel more generous than the serving actually is.

Buy tall, skinny glasses for beverages. If you serve your drinks in tall, slim glasses, you’ll feel like you’re drinking a lot even if you’re not drinking as much as you would in a big, fat glass. Garnish your drinks with low calorie garnishes that add flavor such as lemon slices or mint leaves, and you’ll feel like you’re indulging—even if the drink is calorie-free.

Eat only at the table. Force yourself to eat only when sitting at your formal eating spot and you'll cut down on snacking. Much of our overindulgence happens mindlessly as we eat while watching television or surfing the internet or put away leftovers.

Sneak in vegetables. Add extra vegetables to recipes that normally have scant amounts or no vegetables at all. For example, try spinach and mushrooms in an Itallian pasta dish, or snow peas or asparagus in hot dishes. You may find your family like the additional veggies in their dishes once they get used to them.

Help yourself develop a disliking for unhealthy foods. Rent "Supersize Me", and conjure up unpleasant parts of the movie when you're tempted to eat fast food. Do you have a weakness for sausages or hot dogs? Educate yourself on the ingredients and you'll findit much easier to say no thank you at the next barbeque. Fill your mind with positive thoughts about healthy foods and negative thoughts about unhealthy food.

Use these tips to help you eat fewer calories and lose that unwanted weight.

A Few Tips for Growing Great Hair and Nails

Many women are very interested how to get healthier nails and grow their hair longer. Both our hair and nails contain a protein called keratin. Because of this common protein, both hair and nail growth are affected by many of the same factors. Though our genes dictate that our nails and hair grown at a certain rate, we can make sure that this growth is maximised by having the healthiest nails and hair possible.

What we eat can very greatly effect how our hair and nails grow. Those who study holistic health believe that a persons nails can show deficiencies in minerals or toxins that are in a persons system. Our nails should be consistent and not have too many ridges in them and also be strong and not flaky. Ridges are a symptom of poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, or illness. To boost your hail and hair growth, you could consider taking a multivitamin that contains biotin and supplemending with fish oil pills.

The next thing you can consider is getting these vitamins to your nails and hair folicles more quickly. This is where some enjoyable alternative therapy can come in handy. Go get a massage, or better yet have a loved one give you a massage with a natural oil such as jojoba oil.  Massage increases blood flow in the body. Think about it this way, when you increase the blood flow you are moving the nutrients to those areas faster then they would move without massage. Ultimately by increasing the blood flow to the nailbed and scalp, you will be promoting stronger and healthier hair and nails.

Through daily exercise you can increase the blood flow to these areas. Exercise will also help to improve your overall health and ultimately help your nail and hair growth as well. By addressing your hair and nails from the inside you are much more likely to have nicer, healthier, and longer nails and hair on the outside.

How To Stretch Properly Before Playing Sports

Mind is All

One of the most frustrating things that can happen when you are playing sports is that you pull a muscle, as it can not only take you out of the game itself, but can also put you in a lot of pain for several weeks to come; especially as you get older and the sports you participate in are more “recreational,” it can be easy to forget about stretching, and stretching for a sport that you do not take all that seriously can seem a bit silly. But even though stretching before you play a sport that is not all that competitive might seem a bit silly, it is much worse to pull a muscle while playing a sport that is not all that competitive – so take the time to understand how to stretch properly so that you will not have to deal with this issue!

You should start out by stretching your lower legs – that is, your calves and your ankles; a few great stretches for these muscles are to stand on the back of your foot with the front of the other foot, pushing down until you feel the tendons at the back of your ankle stretching out, and also, to lean forward and push against the wall with your legs stretched out behind you, so that you feel your calf muscles stretching.

Stretching out your hamstrings will also be important, as these are some of the muscles that are most likely to get injured; a couple great ways to stretch out your hamstrings are to hang down with your upper body and try to touch your toes, and to sit on the ground with your legs spread out as you lean down and try to touch your toes this way.

And when it comes to sports, many people completely forget about the importance of stretching their upper body as well; make sure you do a few simple upper body stretches before you engage in any sport – even a sport where you will not be using your upper body – as this will help you to limber up and to avoid the risk of injury.

The Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil is an extremely health oil to include into your dietary routine. By eating olive oil regularly in your diet you can gain some health benefits that are worth. This monounsaturated fat has been directly liked to reducing bad cholesterol in the blood. If you want to live a long life it would be a good idea to reduce your bad cholesterol.

The method used to create olive oil is pressing. The highest quality olive oils are extra virgin and virgin.  These are the least processed and contain the most nutrients. The light fruity flavor make these olive oils ideal for salads, and to dip bread into. It is not hard at all to incorporate healthy olive oils over margarine, butter, or coconut oil.

This monounsaturated fat is a good source of vitamin A, D, K, and E. With all of these good vitamins in it along with other great healthy compounds it is no wonder olive oils can reduce the risk of cancer, and heart disease. Since olive oil assist in lowering bad cholesterol it also can assist in lowering blood pressure.

Doctors are beginning to recommend that those suffering from diabetes begin to incorporate olive oil into their diets. In general a diabetics diet tends to be high fiber, low fast carb and low fat in order to manage blood sugar levels. Somtimes when diabetics include olive oil into their diets they actually begin to loose weight.

Olive oil is also being found to have the charactoristic of being anti-inflammitory. Research is indicating also that this anti-inflammitory effect of olive oil may assist those who suffer from asthma and arthritis. Your body is able to create anti-inflammatory substances from the monounsaturated fat.

A couple of tablespoonds of olive oil a day may help to keep the doctor a way.  You can gain some great health benefits by ditching butter and margarine and going with olive oil. Try olive oil on your next salad with a little salt and vinegar; you may find it quite enjoyable. Talk to your doctor about what switching to olive oil can do for you.

To learn more about health topics, products, and other topics please CLICK HERE

Healthy Alternatives To Brownies

Mind is All

If you are trying to eat healthy, one of the toughest things can be cutting out those "favorite" foods of yours that you know you really should not eat; and if one of these foods for you is a rich, warm brownie (covered in cold vanilla ice cream, thank you very much!), it can be especially difficult to say "no." But one of the best ways to say "no" to your greatest temptations is to find similar alternatives that are much healthier, and that will therefore lessen the desire for the food you crave while keeping your body in better shape.

If you are truly just craving the chocolate in the brownie, one option is to simply consume a healthier form of chocolate; for instance, you can have chocolate covered raisins or chocolate covered almonds for dessert, or you can have dark chocolate - which is a great antioxidant.

If the ice cream is your favorite part of "a brownie and ice cream," consider having the ice cream by itself (instead of with the brownie), or replace the ice cream with something else that is cold and creamy, like yogurt.

Also, there are several ways you can make healthier brownies; if you make brownies from scratch, using cocoa, you will have a much healthier alternative to store-bought brownies; you can also replace butter with apple butter, and you can look up recipes for brownies that do not use flour.

Finally, the best way of all to replace a food such as brownies is to move away from the actual treat entirely, while replacing the "dessert" portion of your night with something that is tasty and sweet, but is still healthy; there are a number of cookbooks with healthy dessert ideas, and when you pick up one of these, it can be much easier to make the switch away from brownies.

When you try to replace something in your diet (especially something as delicious as brownies!), it can be difficult at first; but the more you perservere, the easier it will become, and the more successful you will be!

How To Make Your Own Trail Mix

On plenty of different occasions, having some trail mix handy will be beneficial – such as a camping trip, or a ski trip, or even just for a snack that you can munch on around the house or at work – but one problem many people run into when it comes to trail mix is that they cannot quite find a trail mix that suits their tastes; furthermore, most store-bought trail mixes are packed full of preservatives that are not necessarily great for your body, which somewhat offsets the benefits of the trail mix itself, but a great way to work around these issues is to mix your own trail mix, and although this will typically cost about the same, you will be able to avoid all those preservatives, and will be able to make your trail mix to your desired tastes.

The first thing you will need in making your own trail mix is a good base; most people think raisins and peanuts for a base, but a few things to consider adding are dried cranberries instead of raisins (or, of course, in addition to raisins), an even split of peanuts and cashews, and some additional nuts such as almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and – if you don't mind spending a bit of extra money – macadamia nuts.

In the end of itself, this base would provide you with a decent trail mix, but if you are wanting to make a truly delicious trail mix, you will probably also want to add something sweet; most people think chocolate when they think of something sweet in trail mix – and if you add some dark chocolate, this is certainly a healthy choice – but some other options can be dried or crystallized fruits, which will be healthy and delicious.

And finally, it will help the overall taste of your trail mix if you balance out this sweetness with something salty; of course, some of the nuts you've used in the base will probably be salted, but adding something that gives a little kick – such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds with tamari on them – can really get your trail mix that special flavor you desire.

It can take a bit of extra time to put together trail mix of your own, but when you buy the ingredients that will be perfect for you, this extra time spent will be well worth it, as you will have a delicious snack that you can enjoy any time!

Healthy Alternatives To Fast Food

Mind is All

Everyone eats fast food out of necessity every once in a while, but if you also enjoy fast food, you might be looking for a way to eat this same food (or something very similar) without getting all the unhealthy components of this same fast food. The great news for those who find themselves in this position is that you can actually make just about any fast food menu item at home - and just about anything you make at home will actually be a lot healthier (and probably a lot tastier as well!) than anything you could get at a fast food restaurant!

After you have figured out what meal you want to replicate, figure out what you need to buy; for instance, if you are wanting to replicate a meal with hamburgers and fries, you can buy organic hamburger beef and french fries at a store such as Whole Foods, and can buy fresh-baked buns, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and healthy sauces to go with the burger.

Instead of getting soda to go with your meal, as you might usually do, you should consider switching to a sparkling fruit juice, or to homemade iced tea; even though water is always the best thing for you to drink, either of these options go great with hamburgers, and each will be much healthier than soda!

You also need to make sure that you are cooking your food in the right way; instead of frying your fries, try baking them, and instead of frying your burgers, try making them in a George Foreman Grill or on a regular grill outside. When you cook your food this way, you will not only have a much healthier option, but you will also have something that tastes a whole lot better than anything you could get at a fast food restaurant!

Even though you might think that it will take up way too much of your time to do all this, you can actually make several burgers (and a whole batch of french fries) at once, and you can store these in your fridge and have "fast food" waiting for you whenever you want it!

Get Your Kids Involved With You in Sports

Parents should strive to teach their children a healthy life style. Kids are notorious for soaking everything up and then modeling that behavior to others. Parents should take a chance at using this easy learning opportunity to teach children healthy habits. There are a wide range of activities you can do with your children to help them learn healthy habits.

Swimming is a great sport that you can share with your child.  It is very important to teach your children how to swim. One of the most important reasons to teach your child how to swim is that drowning is one of the biggest killers of kids. Many local pool offer red cross swimming programs. If you swim with your child regularly, not only will they gain confidence, but they will become good swimmers and maybe become interested in doing it as a sport.

Everyone in the family can enjoy hiking and it can be very aerobic depending on where you go to hike. This has the possibility of benefiting your child two ways. First they will get the exercise, and second they can gain a respect for nature at the same time. The more children are involved in an activity the more they feel that it is part of their life.  You can even start hiking with your kids before they are old enough to walk if you carry them in a backpack. If you child has hiked for as long as they can remember, they are more likely to want to do it.

Another sport you could introduce your child to at a very young age is bicycling. Will all of the seats, pull behind, and trail-a-bikes that are out there it is easy to get your kiddos out and moving at a very young age. It is important that your child always has a properly fitted helmet on and that they see you ride with a helmet yourself.

Kids are like sponges. They will soak up and copy anything that they see. Children can learn to incorporate exercise into their daily routine if they see their parents doing the same. It is harder to get a kid interested in a sport once they are past the early impressionable years.

Tips For Engaging In Healthy Running

Mind is All

When it comes to trying to keep your body healthy and in good shape, running is one of the best things you can do, but there are a lot of people who never go running because they feel that it puts too much strain on their back, or on other parts of their body. While you should certainly stop running if you are truly experiencing pain, there are also a lot of people who are experiencing such pain because they are not engaging in healthy running; before you stop running altogether, take a look at these suggestions for engaging in healthy running, and see if there is anything you can do differently during your daily jog.

Running barefoot: This might seem like an odd way to do your running, but the truth is - as hard as shoe companies try to make their shoe the best thing you can put on your body - running barefoot is the healthiest way for you to run; try running barefoot in an neighborhood you will feel safe running barefoot in, or try some "barefoot running shoes" such as the ones below.

Running erect: Your body will begin to bend over as you get tired, and while this provides temporary relief from the strain of running, it will not be good for you in the long run; instead, you should always keep your posture in mind as you run, making sure you are running erect.

Listen: You will usually think of music when you see the word "listen" tied alongside the idea of running - but even more than listening to music, you will want to listen to your body; even if you have an idea as to the pace at which you want to run, or the distance you want to cover, you will be wise to listen to your body, and to make sure you are not pushing it further than you should.

Doing these simple things can ensure that you are engaging in healthy running - and in the long run, this will make a big difference in how your body feels.

How To Keep Weight Off

Most people have a desire to be at a certain weight, or at least to look a certain way that they feel is "ideal," but even as much as some people want to look a certain way or keep off the weight, it seems like there is no earthly way for them to accomplish these goals; if you are in a position where you feel that you are unable to keep yourself at the weight you desire, no matter what you do, here are a few things you may want to keep in mind, checking to see if one of them might make the difference and put you in that area of weight you are hoping to be in!

A lot of people end up eating things that they think are healthy without actually realizing what they are putting into their bodies; one example of this is nuts, as a carton of mixed nuts might be healthy on the surface, but mixed nuts usually are coated in salt (which is not good for you!), and nuts are also high in calories (as well as calories from fat), which makes them a bad thing for your body if you eat too many of them. This is just one example of a food item that people assume is healthy, but that is not really as healthy as people imagine; make sure you are getting to know the foods you are eating, making sure they are truly healthy for you!

You should also pay attention to what time of day you are eating certain things; for instance, many people eat big dinners and small breakfasts (or no breakfast at all), but the closer you get to bedtime, the smaller you will want your meals to be - so make an effort to change things around, so that you are eating bigger meals in the morning, and are shrinking your meals as you move forward through the day.

And no matter how healthy you make an effort to eat, it will not have a big impact on you if you are inactive; you need to try to get outside for walks or jogs or bike rides, or to go to the gym for a workout, and you will soon find that you are dropping those pounds you were unable to get rid of before!

What Do I Do If I Am Working Out But Not Losing Weight?

Mind is All

Many people want to live their life at a healthy weight, but many people also find this to be a tough desire to attain. After all, it can often be the case that you can work out as vigorously as you want, and you will still not end up losing any weight. But part of the reason why so many people encounter this problem - working out endlessly and yet failing to see the results they want - is because they are not eating the right foods.

Many people fail to realize just how important their diet is when it comes to the weight they will find themselves at. And if you want to hit a desirable weight, you will not necessarily need to put yourself on a rigorous eating plan, but you will need to eat healthy. After all, it might not matter how much you work out if you are not eating healthy, as your weight will still remain the same!

If you want to eat well, you need to realize that how much you eat is actually a lot less important than what you eat. In fact, you can eat small amounts of horrible food, and it will be worse for you than eating large amounts of good food!

When it comes to eating healthy in order to manage your weight, the first option is to find a diet that you feel comfortable with. The only problem with diets, however, is that they can be difficult to stick to, as they often leave you feeling unfulfilled.

The other option, when it comes to eating healthy in order to manage your weight, is to eat food that is actually good for your body! You will actually find that you have a much easier time managing your weight if you move away from processed foods and instead start eating foods that are organic and healthy. Not only that, but you will actually find that these organic foods make you feel full more quickly and taste a whole lot better!

It is not necessary for you to work out a ton, even if you want to lose a ton of weight; it is, however, vital that you start eating healthy!

Getting Into Swimsuit Shape

Trying to get into what one would call "swimsuit shape" is one thing that tends to give a lot of people problems - and if you are going to be taking a vacation during the winter, this can be even more difficult to do, as it is tougher to really sculpt your body the way you might like when it is cold outside; at the same time, however, it is entirely possible for you to get your body into swimsuit shape, no matter what time of year it is, as long as you keep a few simple things in mind.

If you are wanting to get into swimsuit shape, the first thing you will need to realize is that you can train your genes to burn fat, and if you want to do this, one of the best ways is by realizing that when it comes to eating, more is less; rather than eating "three square meals a day," get in the habit of eating five or six smaller (healthy!) meals a day, and this will help your body to burn fat on its own.

You should also be aware of the fact that getting your body into swimsuit shape will generally entail getting your body fit and toned, and in order to do this, you will want to combine your "more is less" approach to eating with a "less is more" approach to working out. When you do a lot of walking (instead of putting unnecessary strain on your back and joints by running!) and do some lifting just a few days a week, you will tone your muscles, encourage your body to lose fat, and prevent your body from having serious cravings for sugar and carbs - all of which will add up to a much better "swimsuit body."

Combine these things with plenty of rest (making sure you are giving your body as much sleep each night as it requires), and you will soon find that you are in tremendous swimsuit shape - with a whole lot less work than you may have thought this process would have required at the start!

Replenishing Your Energy During The Day

Mind is All

One problem a lot of people deal with in the work day is that they hit a wall around 2 or 2:30 in the afternoon, and while this would be okay if it happened irregularly, many people deal with this on an almost daily basis - which, of course, can severely curtail productivity, and can make the day a drag; while there are a lot of things you can do to get rid of this feeling, and to replenish your energy, here are three great ones that you might try using.

Go for a walk: One thing that tends to cause people to feel so tired in the afternoon is that they have been stationary inside for far too long, and two things that every person's body thrives on is movement and sunlight; if you regularly experience a "2:30 feeling" in the afternoon, try going for a 10 or 15 minute walk during lunch some days, and see what a difference this will make!

Drink water, and get food: Pumping your body full of caffeine during the afternoon might not be a very good idea, as this may end up causing you to have a hard time sleeping, but oftentimes, you will find that some water and some healthy food will do just as much to help you wake up as caffeine would - and what's more, this will be a much healthier and more efficient way for you to take care of your body!

Take a nap: And of course, the fact that your body is simply telling you that it could use a bit of sleep is one reason why you may be getting tired in the afternoon, so while you might not work a job that allows you to easily take a nap in the middle of the work day, consider trying to take one at lunch, or at some other point when a short break is acceptable, and you will be amazed at just how much more energized you feel.

No matter what you do, there will be times when you are simply too tired to function well - but if you are dealing with this more often than you should, keep these ideas in mind in order to combat this problem!

Creating Healthy Alternatives To Fast Food

If you not only eat fast food out of necessity at times, but actually enjoy it as well, you might be looking for a way to eat this same food (or something very similar) without getting all the unhealthy components of this same fast food. The good news, if you find yourself in this position, is that you can make just about any fast food menu item at home - and just about anything you make at home will be a lot healthier (and probably a lot tastier as well!) than anything you could get at a fast food restaurant!

After deciding what meal you want to try to recreate, figure out what you will need to buy to make this happen; for instance, if you are wanting to replicate a meal with hamburgers and fries, you can buy organic hamburger beef and french fries at a store such as Whole Foods, and can buy fresh-baked buns, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and healthy sauces to go with the burger.

Instead of getting soda to go with your meal, as you might usually do, you should consider switching to a sparkling fruit juice, or to homemade iced tea; even though water is always the best thing for you to drink, either of these options go great with hamburgers, and each will be much healthier than soda!

You also need to make sure that you are cooking your food in the right way; instead of frying your fries, try baking them, and instead of frying your burgers, try making them in a George Foreman Grill or on a regular grill outside. By cooking your food in this way, you will not just have a healthier option, but you will also have something that tastes a whole lot better than anything you could get at a fast food restaurant!

Even though you might think that it will take up way too much of your time to do all this, you can actually make several burgers (and a whole batch of french fries) at once, and you can store these in your fridge and have "fast food" waiting for you whenever you want it!