Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects roughly one million US adults, and it can be very disruptive to one's life. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (commonly known as CFS) is largely described by its name, but it takes a bit more than this to diagnose CFS. You can use this handy guide to tell whether you might be suffereing from CFS if you have been unusually tired for reasons not related to lack of sleep or over-exertion.

If you are consistently feeling tired or fatigued for no specific reason, this is one of the first signs of CFS. If you have CFS, this fatigue would be so extreme that it is reducing your activity levels. You should begin to look for additional signs of CFS if this is the case.

Among these signs are the following: memory or concentration that is not what it used to be; sleep that does little to refresh you; muscle pain; new headaches, or headaches that are stronger than what you used to experience; recurring soar throat; pain in your joints. If a combination of these symptoms persist for an extended amount of time - around six months or longer - you should see a physician so they can test you for CFS. Because CFS is defined and diagnosed in a number of different ways, this diagnosis from a doctor will come by process of elimination. If you visit a physician and they are unable to find any other causes for your symptoms, you just might be classified as having CFS.

While CFS has a number of "cures," none of them have been proven to work across the board. The instigating factors of the CFS and the severity of the CFS both come into consideration here. For instance, if you are deemed to be experiencing CFS as a result of depression, this might be solved by taking antidepressants. Furthermore, such simple adjustments as dietary adjustments and regular exercise can help to combat CFS. If you find that you have CFS, search for a doctor who has dealt with CFS patients before. Such a doctor will be better-equipped to help you with the nuances of this terrible affliction.

If you find that you have been excessively tired lately for no explainable reason, your best bet is to cross your fingers and hope it goes away. If this does not work, you may have CFS, and you will want to get to work fighting it right away.

Tips For Weaning Yourself Off Coffee

Mind is All

When it comes to coffee, one of the first things to realize is that coffee, in moderation, not only is not bad for you, but is actually beneficial; at the same time, however, you should never put more than 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine into your body per day, which is equal to about two or three cups, and if you are drinking more than this each day – or if you simply think you are addicted to coffee and would like to change this - you will want to understand how you can scale back.

If your body is used to having coffee put into it first thing in the morning, it will not be a good idea if you cut yourself off from coffee completely; rather, the best approach for morning coffee drinkers is to gradually push back time of day when you have your coffee, moving it back 15 minutes or half an hour at a time, doing so gradually so that your body does not notice much of a difference.

If, on the other hand, not typically do not drink your coffee until later in the day, you can start to gradually scale back the amount of coffee you drink; you should not put caffeine into your body any later than eight hours before you go to bed, so once you reach this point in the day with your coffee drinking, you will be at a place where you can start scaling back gradually rather than gradually pushing the time later.

And as you begin to seriously scale back your coffee drinking, another thing that will help is finding a way to replace this energy you are used to getting; a few great ways to consider are replacing that coffee with fruit, with other healthy foods, or even with a couple pieces of dark chocolate, which will get you some sugar and some caffeine without being too unhealthy!

Scaling back on your coffee drinking is really not that difficult, as long as you take the proper steps; keep these tips in mind as you work toward this goal yourself, and soon you will be drinking as little coffee as you want – or even, no coffee at all!

Best Skin Care Tips For Mature Skin

Are you worried about your skin as you’re aging?

As you mature, you'll probably notice some significant changes in your skin tone and health. Crows feet, brow lines, sun spots... the changes can be alarming, but they are common to all older women. Perhaps you've noticed some new sagging and that your skin just doesn't repair itself the way it used to. Before you panic, invest in a good skin care regimen, aimed at improving mature skin.

When you wash your skin, use extra care, using a mild cleanser like Cetaphil and being careful not to stretch or abuse your skin. You may also find you start breaking out again, which is often related to hormonal changes, but you'll want to stay away from the anti-acne products the younger crowd uses. Instead go for a gentler system, such as Dermalogica, which is all-natural and is better tolerated by more mature skin. Make sure to always, always, always use SPF 30 sunblock, and to freshly put on more before going out in the sun.

Avoid any type of tanning. Yes, you are going to the Caribbean; we understand. You'll be grateful years from now when you have the fewest wrinkles of your friends, even if you had to be pale now. You're wise if you always wear your sun hat, hide under a beach umbrella, and follow the shade.

If you've suffered skin damage, use Dermalogica's Multi Vitamin Power capsules. When you crack open the little capsule, you'll discover a wonderful mixture of vitamins C, A, and E, which feels amazing on your face. Most women feel a difference in their skin immediately, and with regular use, see firming and repair results.

Invest in a plumping eye cream such as iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex to fight crows feet as well. With these good products, a little goes a long way, so use sparingly and say hello to lovely skin!

How To Drink Clean Water At Home

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It is extremely important that you get enough water into your body each day, as continued hydration is a big part of continued health. But many people fail to drink even close to enough water each day, and part of the reason for this lack of water is because - quite frankly - their water tastes no good. Chances are, you will not be drinking the eight glasses (one gallon) of water you should drink each day if your water does not taste satisfactory. Follow these tips for having clean, tasty water to drink at home, and watch your health improve as your water intake increases!

Of course, one of the best (and most transportable!) ways to get clean, tasty water all the time is to buy bottled water. But at the same time, bottled water - especially if you buy it by the bottle - can be quite expensive. When it comes to bottled water, you will be best served buying it in bulk; this will allow you go get a good deal, and will still enable you to take your water with you everywhere you go.

If you want the taste of bottled water without the price, consider getting a water bubbler in your own house. The bottles that go with these are usually pretty inexpensive (as little as $5 or $10), and at such stores as Walmart you can find water for about $0.33 per gallon. Additionally, if you buy a reusable water bottle, you can have this water with you at all times, just like you can with bottled water.

Of course, filtering water at home is also an option, and you can do this any number of ways. You can do this by making sure the filtration system in your refrigerator is working, but attaching a filter to your sink, or by buying a stand-alone water filter.

There is no "best option" out of all of these - just make sure you pick one that works for you, and stick with it! Once you do, you will be able to drink delicious, clean water at home, and will therefore be able to drink as much water as your body requires!

Three Tips For Leading A Healthy Lifestyle

Without a healthy lifestyle, it is unlikely that you will feel healthy, and if you do not feel healthy, you are unlikely to feel like you are living life to the fullest. Those who fail to keep their lifestyle healthy often find themselves feeling sluggish and unmotivated, and they also find that they are more prone to illness. Those who lead a healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, are more likely to have energy and motivation! At the same time, however, many people struggle to keep their lifestyle healthy. Part of the problem, quite frankly, is that many people try to do too much at once! Starting small is the best way to kick off a healthy lifestyle. Change the little things, and the big things will follow.

The first thing you need to do to lead a healthy lifestyle is this: watch what goes into your body! Most people are fully aware of this step and its importance, but they fail to understand exactly what it means or how to go about doing this. For instance, while most poeple understand that smoking and drinking in excess are unhealthy, they do not know the difference between bad fat and good fat, or between bad cholesterol and good cholesterol. Your body will start feeling better right away once you begin to learn such things.

Exercise is another major step in leading a healthy lifestyle. Lots of people have good intentions when it comes to exercise, but they fail to follow through. If you set up a workout plan that has you visiting the gym for an hour a day, seven days a week, you are likely to drop the whole thing eventually! Instead, you should aim small at first. Schedule a few days a week, for ten minutes each day. You can gradually increase the amount of workout time and the number of days as time goes by.

Finally, you have to keep in mind the fact that sleep is important. While some find this step to be easy, others find it to be extremely difficult! Although you might feel like you "lose valuable hours" when you sleep eight hours each night, your body will feel much better in the long run!

While it is very easy to neglect your body's health, it is just as easy to learn to take care of your body. Just follow these tips, and you will find that your body is on its way to health!

Taking A Look At Ways To Improve Your Life

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As you make your way through life, one thing that you should turn your focus toward is the things you can do to improve your life; after all, for the most part, life does not happen by accident - but when you look for ways to improve your life (instead of just allowing life to come at you, and waiting to see what will happen), you will find that your life keeps getting better, and that it is a whole lot more fun to live!

One of the best ways to improve your life is by improving your health, as health problems are one of the main things that can drag you down and make your life feel more difficult than it needs to be; in order to improve your health, you need to take the time to get an education, recognizing that you should do things in life intentionally, and finding out what foods you should be putting in your body, how much rest you should be giving yourself, and how you should be working out and staying in shape, as a little bit of study can go a long way in improving your overall health and lifestyle.

Another area where it is important that you improve your life in order to get the most out of it is in your personal life; if you want to improve your personal life, the best thing you can do is define exactly what it is that is important to you in your personal life, and then (it's really so simple!), you need to make the time or these things that are important to you - being stringent about cutting out all those other things in your life that are really just a waste of time.

And the best thing you can do in order to improve your future is have clear goals, write these goals down, and read through them every day. When you arrange your goals and keep up with your goals in this manner, you will be putting your mind in a place where it is constantly moving you toward these goals - and as time passes, you will keep moving toward these goals until those dreams you had for your future have suddenly become part of your present!

Keeping Your Teeth White

A lot of people constantly seem to struggle to try to figure out how to keep their teeth white; after all, bleaching trays and products such as Crest Whitestrips certainly work, but these can also take a lot of time - and furthermore, these options tend to make some people feel sick; because of this, it is natural to ask the question of whether or not there is a simple way to keep teeth white!

One of the best things you can do in order to keep your teeth white is to be careful of what is hitting your teeth; there are lots of different foods that will stain teeth - not to mention such drinks as cola and coffee - and unless you brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking these things, they are absolutely certain to stain your teeth over time!

You will be able to slow down the rate at which these things are negatively affecting your teeth by brushing after each time you eat or drink (anything besides water, that is), but this is not always a feasible option; one option that is feasible, however, and that also works well, is chewing on wood (think toothpicks!), as there are lots of tribal cultures that chew on wood throughout the day and have whiter teeth than most people with access to more advanced products!

And of course, you can always consider sticking with some of the aforementioned advanced products - such as bleaching trays and Crest Whitestrips - and if you are looking to quickly turn your teeth from "not so white" to "very white," you cannot do much better than this!

For the most part, if you are taking good care of your teeth (brushing two to three times each day, and flossing after each meal), your teeth are going to stay relatively white - but if you are looking for your teeth to really sparkle (or if you are trying to catch up from years of bad habits), these are all things worth keeping in mind!

Building Up Core Muscles

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One of the best ways to deal with back pain is to get your core muscles back in shape. Your core muscles are what basically hold your entire body in the correct posture. Without the strength needed, you won't be able to stand correctly and will have foot, knee, lower back, and shoulder pain. No one wants to have these problems plaguing him or her daily. Here are some tips to help strengthen your core muscles with a little work.

To start with, an exercise ball is your best friend. With some basic workout routines, you can really start to build your muscles. Simply sitting on the ball and lifting a small amount of weight over your head with a dumb bell is a great way to tone your core. Sitting on the ball causes you to constantly stabilize yourself. You can also do situps while sitting ont he ball. Simply lean back as far as possible and then proceed to slowly sit up. You can really work your core quite a bit doing this. As you gain strength, you can use the ball to do pushups with by placing your feet on the ball and pushing up. This is a challenge but your core will get an amazing workout.

If this is too intense you should consider tai chi, pilates, or yoga. These are all low impact but still great for your core. These focus on balance and correct posture. The more you do them the stronger your core becomes over time, along with increased suppleness in your back and joints. There are a number of wonderful dvds on this topic. Some great vidoes are Tai Chi for Health, the Yoga for Beginners, andPilates for Beginners. These make great introductions to each exercise.

Alought chiropractics can help relieve the pain, you can avoid this by dealing with your core muscles. Make sure to be aware of your physical limitations, and strengthen your core to the best of your ability.

Healthy on the go Breakfast Suggestions

It can be hard to sit down and eat breakfast in a world where we are always on the go.  Furthermore, a healthy breakfast seems even harder to do because ther is no time to cook. This could not be further from the truth really. If you think out of the box a bit, it can be easy to grab a healthy meal on the go.

Trail mix and kefir can be an extremely healthy breakfast that is great to take on the go. Kefir is a probiotic enriched yogurt drink that can be purchased in single serving sizes. This drink provides you calcium and immune system boosting probiotics to assist your over all health. The trail mix (especially if you mix your own) can be very packed with vitamins and minerals. A combination of dried fruits such as banana, pineapple, raisins, and cherries can provide you with a plethora of good things for your body. You can make your mix even healthier by adding almonds and home made granola.  These two things will add both protein and fiber to help you stay satisfied and full feeling.

Another great on the go breakfast is a half-inch slice of cheddar cheese, a grapefruit or orange, a banana, and two hard boiled eggs. This is a great breakfast for when you may have just enough time to sit down and slice up a grapefruit and then get on your way. You can boil a dozen eggs on Sunday and refrigerate them in their shells until they are needed during the week. Eggs make a great source for vitamin A and protein. Bananas are a great choice because they are high in magnesium and potassium. The grapefruit or orange are both packed with vitamin C and dietary fiber.

Start thinking outside of the box when it comes to breakfast.  There are many foods that are easy to eat on the go that are quite healthy for you. It is very important to eat breakfast both for your blood sugar levels and also if you are trying to loose weight. Breakfast is necessary to get your body ready for the day.

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Bike Helmets For Children Tips and Tricks

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Bike safety is a very important thing to begin teaching our children at a young age. Many parents are very unaware of how to properly fit a bike helmet. It is extremely important to have a helmet that fits your child well.  An ill fitting helmet does nothing for your child. Here are some suggestions to help you get a helmet that is well fitted.

Start by measuring your childs head with a tape measure.  This will provide you with an idea of the size helmet to look at. Have them try on the helmet and adjust the straps so that the helmet sits on the top of the head not in the back. There should not be a lot of air between your strap and your skin.  The straps should be snug but comfortable. Ideally there should not be much wiggle in the helmet. You want to purchase a helmet that fits them now.  Don't purchase one that they can grown into later.  Plan on purchasing new helmets your child grows. I know it is tempting to purchase a helmet that will fit your child for a long time, but it is so very important to have a helmet that fits your child.

If and when your child crashes hard, you must plan on replacing your helmet. This is pretty much the industry standard, for replacing helmets. Helmets do need to be replaced do to wear and tear also.  There is some disagreement as to when this had to be done though.  The range seems to be between three and eight years. I know this is a long range, but alot of it depends on how you take care of your helmet. Honestly you will be replacing the helmets at about that rate anyway because of your child's growth.

It is important for the helmet you purchase to have vents in it so you child will be comfortable. Unfortunately some childrens helmets don't have vent slots in them.  This is unfortunate because children can easily get overheated. It is easier to talk kids into wearing a helmet if it is comfortable to them. You can also increase the chances that your child will wear their helmets if you alow them to choose their own color and pattern.

Make sure you wear a helmet yourself when you ride with your children. Children learn best from example so if you don’t wear a helmet, they are not likely to.

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Exploring Ways To Improve Your Life

As you make your way through life, one thing that you should turn your focus toward is the things you can do to improve your life; after all, for the most part, life does not happen by accident - but when you look for ways to improve your life (instead of just allowing life to come at you, and waiting to see what will happen), you will find that your life keeps getting better, and that it is a whole lot more fun to live!

Improving your health is one of the best ways to improve your life, as health problems are one of the main things that can drag you down and make your life feel more difficult than it needs to be; in order to improve your health, you need to take the time to get an education, recognizing that you should do things in life intentionally, and finding out what foods you should be putting in your body, how much rest you should be giving yourself, and how you should be working out and staying in shape, as a little bit of study can go a long way in improving your overall health and lifestyle.

Your personal life is another area where it is important that you improve your life in order to get the most out of it; if you want to improve your personal life, the best thing you can do is define exactly what it is that is important to you in your personal life, and then (it's really so simple!), you need to make the time or these things that are important to you - being stringent about cutting out all those other things in your life that are really just a waste of time.

And the best thing you can do in order to improve your future is have clear goals, write these goals down, and read through them every day. When you arrange your goals and keep up with your goals like this, you will be putting your mind in a place where it is constantly moving you toward these goals - and as time passes, you will keep moving toward these goals until those dreams you had for your future have suddenly become part of your present!

Keeping Your Brain Strong And Healthy

Mind is All

Even though you might not always think of it as such, your brain is one your most valuable assets, and many people do not realize is that their brain can become sharper with practice and work, or can fall into poor shape if they fail to give it the attention it needs; maybe you have neglected your mind for a period of time, but even though it will take a little while for your brain to start becoming as sharp as it once was, you can use these tips and tricks to get your brain to where you want it to be.

There are lots of different memory games that you can buy in stores or even use for free online, and many of these games are fun, and can also cause your brain to stretch itself in new ways that will improve your memory in other areas of your life also.

Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles are great ways for you to exercise the brain, and you can also exercise your brain (and sharpen it over time) by doing word search puzzles and crossword puzzles.

Reading is also a great way to keep your mind in good shape, and even though you might hear people brag about the fact that they "only read" non-fiction books or self-help books, it hardly matters what you read so much as it matters that you read, as reading causes your brain to workout and your capacity for thought to broaden; and in any case, it is much better to entertain yourself by reading books - even if they are commercial fiction books - than to entertain yourself with television, so realize that reading is good for you, regardless of what you are reading!

And creative activity is one of the best ways to exercise your brain, doing things such as painting, drawing, playing an instrument, or writing; not only will you be able to experience the satisfaction of having creative output you can be proud of, but you will also have the satisfaction of a well-exercised brain - and you cannot ask for much more than that!

Reasons to Take Vitamin D

Are you wondering if you should be taking Vitamin D supplements? Why are so many people taking Vitamin D supplements?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient required for multiple health functions. Vitamin D is responsible for calcium absoption and the production of certain "feel good" hormones, as well as is considered part of a healthy defense against some kinds of cancer and hypertension. If you are lacking Vitamin D, you may be at higher risk of developing brittle bones, cardiovascular issues, rickets, and diabetes.

The recent excitement about Vitamin D is related to a discovery that many Americans are found to be deficient. If you religiously wear sunscreen and avoid the sun, you might be deficient.

But how do you know how much Vitamin D you need? Unfortunately, this topic is the subject of much debate, with answers ranging between 200-2000 IU (International Units). You don’t want to take more than 2000 IU a day because Vitamin D can be toxic at doses higher than 2000 IU. Right now many doctors are pushing the recommended dosage to be bumped up to 1000 IU a day.

But what are good sources of Vitamin D? You get Vitamin D (naturally) every time you are exposed to sunshine. Just ten minutes of direct sunlight each day can get you your baseline (200 IU) of Vitamin D each day. Several doctors are suggesting that you try to get twenty minutes of sunlight a day, and then slather on your SPF30 after that. Other doctors say the risk of sunburn, skin cancer, and skin damage isn't worth the benefits; these doctors suggest you find another way to get your Vitamin D.

One simple method is supplements, although you will want to watch the dosage. Many multivitamins are now delivering higher doses of Vitamin D, so check to see what your daily vitamin provides. Some foods are supplemented with Vitamin D, such as orange juices and milk. Natural sources of Vitamin D are eggs, fish, and cod liver oil.

Your doctor will be able to tell you if you need to increase or decrease your consumption of Vitamin D.

How To Cure A Sunburn

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When you are going into the sun, you probably make the effort to take proper precautions to make sure you do not get sunburned, but the simple truth is, most people will get sunburned from time to time even with the proper precautions taken; for this reason, it will be very valuable for you to know the things you can do in order to cure a sunburn when one occurs.

As you may already know, the aloe vera plant is one of the best ways to cure a sunburn, and even though simply buying an aloe vera plant is your best bet for using aloe vera (after all, they do not cost much money), it is also possible to purchase an assortment of creams and ointments that have an aloe vera base; as soon as you notice your sunburn, begin applying the aloe vera or the cream, and apply it several times a day until the sunburn is no longer a problem.

Of course, just because the aloe vera plant works great for healing a sunburn quickly does not necessarily mean it is perfect for everyone, as many people find that aloe vera tends to irritate their skin; if you have found that this is the case for you, a couple things you can try out is an oatmeal mask or flaxseed oil, as either of these can be applied frequently and liberally, and each will help to minimize the pain of the sunburn while also helping it to heal more quickly.

Staying away from soap and water as much as you can is another thing that will help when you have a sunburn, as soap and water can be abrasive to the skin; of course, another thing you should do is make sure you avoid going into the sun as much as possible, as your sunburn will only become worse if you continue exposing it to the sun - even if you are doing things to help this sunburn heal.

You should always do your best to remember to apply sunscreen before going into the sun, as this will keep your skin protected in both the short-term and the long-term, but if you forget sunscreen - or if you get burned in spite of sunscreen - keep these methods in mind, and use them to help yourself heal more quickly!

Stay Fit With Indoor Rock Climbing

Although there is no shortage of options for staying healthy and fit, it sometimes seems as though there is a shortage of options that are also not dull! After all, you can only walk around your neighborhood or run on a treadmill so many times before you need to start looking for something new. Rock climbing is actually one of the best ways to stay in shape, and now that indoor rock climbing facilities are gaining traction, climbing has never been safer or easier!

Rock climbing uses all of your upper body muscles and also causes you to use your legs a significant amount, making it one of the best full-body workouts. And although rock climbing can be dangerous when done outdoors - esepcially when done without a harness or any serious padding beneath you - it can be a very safe activity at indoor rock climbing gyms.

Before you will be allowed to climb at most indoor rock climbing gyms, you must take a "top rope" course; this course will teach you how to belay for your partner - which means adding friction to the rope your partner is using while climbing, to keep them from falling far if they slip off the wall. The costs of indoor climbing are pretty minimal once you have the basics down, as most of these places allow you to climb whenever you want once you have paid a small monthly fee.

If you find that you enjoy climbing and want to start climbing regularly, you will want to invest in some climbing shoes and a chalk pouch. You can find good climbing shoes for a very reasonable price on Amazon, and you can also find chalk pouches for as little as $10. Clothes for rock climbing can probably be found in your closet as well - all you really need are some sturdy pants or shorts and an old shirt!

Once you climb long enough to get the hang of it, climbing can be as challenging or as easy as you want it to be! And you can get a true full-body workout with rock climbing, and by climbing indoors, you can have a fun, adventurous workout that is not dangerous at all!

Will You Lose Weight if You Go Vegetarian?

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Have you considered going vegetarian because of the many popular weight loss books that claim going vegetarian will ensure weight loss? Have you wondered if these claims are trustworthy?

You probably think vegetarians eat only fresh produce, and you probably imagine them all to be stick-thin waifs who munch on carrot sticks with delight. The truth is, going vegetarian only means not eating meat products, which still leaves you vulnerable to weight-gaining eating habits. You may think going vegan will solve the problem, but that just means you don't eat meat, eggs, or dairy, which still leaves room for cake, cookies, and candy.

Chances are your problem isn't that you eat too much meat. Sure, those who eat plenty of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains have better digestion and eliminate more often (that’s a nice way to say they have more bowel movements), but not all vegetarians eat as much fresh produce as they should. New "vegetarians" need to be careful not to fall into the trap of becoming "carbotarians", people who live on breads, fried vegetables, fried tofu, and sugary foods.

In fact, protein is good for weight loss and overall satiation. Protein consumption supports muscle and helps stave off cravings. This is not to say vegetarians can't get more than enough protein from a vegetarian diet, just that inexperienced vegetarians may not know how to do so. Unless you’re eating half-pound hamburgers all the time, meat probably isn’t your problem.

However, most Americans could stand to increase their fruit, vegetable, and whole grain consumption, assuming they exchange this for a reduction in consumption of high calorie, highly processed foods. The health benefits that come from a diet packed with fruit and vegetables are astounding, and yet most Americans forego fresh produce in favor of sweets and unhealthy menu choices. They are usually lower in calories than other food choices, and calorie control combined with exercise is the safest bet for weight loss.

So you want to lose weight? You don't need to go strictly vegetarian to lose weight. Just increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, and forego the processed foods and high calorie meats. You’ll find success with a moderate diet plan that includes exercise.

Tips For Harnessing Your Energy During The Day

People often use the term "long day," in spite of the fact that each day - in an elemental sense - is exactly as long as every other day; of course, the reason people often feel that some days are longer than others is that they are running short on energy, and one of the best ways to keep this from happening to you (at least, to prevent it happening as often as it currently does!) is to know how to harness your energy throughout the course of the day.

Of course, the best way to make sure you have energy during the day is getting enough sleep, but beyond sleep, eating before you go to work and having a bit of food that you can snack on during the day will both go a long way in helping you to harness extra energy - especially physical energy - as eating in this manner will keep your body going!

Your mind is another area where you will want to make sure you harness your energy throughout the day; there are many people who waste plenty of mental energy worrying about things over which they have no control, but when you get in the habit of letting these things go and instead only worrying about the things you can control, your mind will remain much stronger, and much more full of energy.

And when it comes to emotional energy (which can be one of the most draining of all!), you will want to keep tabs on your emotional state, and if you start to see that you are getting worn down, you should force yourself to take a break; find something happy and uplifting in which you can immerse yourself, and this will reenergize you and prepare you to move forward into the remainder of your day.

Of course, there will be times when you will end up feeling worn down - physically, mentally, and emotionally - no matter what steps you take, but when you keep these tips in mind, you will be much better equipped to keep up your energy more often than not!

Five Simple Tips For Keeping Your Weight Under Control

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A lot of people have tried numerous diets. One of the reasons why people have tried so many different diets is because they haven't found one that works! After all, if just one diet plan existed that truly worked wonders, there would not be any others, right?

Well, not exactly. A main reason why diet plans fail for so many people is because they are not committed to these plans. And this lack of committment comes about because, honestly, it is tough to fit a diet into a regular, daily routine. Perhaps you want to eat healthy, perhaps you want to live a healthy lifestyle, but perhaps your schedule does not make this easy. If this is the case for you, here are five easy ways to help keep your weight under control.

1) Always eat breakfast: You have probably heard them say that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day," but you might not realize that they say this for a reason. When you eat breakfast at the start of the day, it kicks off your metabolism. Even something simple like fruit or yogurt can make a big difference when you have it for breakfast.

2) Work your exercise in somewhere: A lot of people do not exercise at all, because they "do not have time." Learn to squeeze in exercise during the day - you'll be surprised by all the opportunities you begin to find: taking the stairs at work, or going for a walk outside, or doing some sit-ups before bed or before you get in the shower.

Change your eating habits: A lot of people eat fast food for half their meals, and their excuse is, "I don't have time to make healthy meals." But actually, you will find that a lot of fast food places have added salads to their menus! Small changes in your eating will yield big results.

4) Add fruits and vegetables: Many fruit and vegetable options are far less expensive than any fast food you could buy. And you can easily bring these foods with you while you travel to and from work or school. As you keep fruit around, you will begin to see a difference.

5) Add some supplements: There are many supplements that will provide you with the necessary vitamins and minerals for the day. Such supplements will go a long way in helping you stay healthy and feeling good.

It might seem like it's not always easy to keep your weight under control and to maintain a healthy body, but when you break it down into smaller pieces, it becomes a whole lot easier.

Discovering The Best Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

People will notice your teeth before they notice just about anything else about you, and while it is by no means a "necessary" part of life to have white teeth, it is true that white teeth are often an indication of healthy teeth - and what's more, having white teeth just feels nice! While you might have always thought of "getting your teeth white" as something that is difficult (and even as something that is nearly impossible!), you can actually follow three simple tips and find that whitening your teeth is quite easy!

Use white strips: There are a lot of ways to "bleach" your teeth white, but all these methods really do is cover up stains that are on your teeth; if, on the other hand, you use whitening strips, you will actually be able to get rid of stains that have been on your teeth for a long time! The best product available, as far as white strips go, is Crest Classic Whitestrips, as these are affordable, easy to use, and highly effective; if you use your Crest Classic Whitestrips@ as directed, you will have noticeably whiter teeth within 14 days, and your teeth will continue to become whiter the longer you use them!

Use whitening toothpaste: There seems to be an endless array of choices when it comes to whitening toothpastes, and most of them will make no noticeable difference in the way your teeth lookAMAZONTEXT;B0009VX1F6;Crest 3D White Vivid Fluoride Toothpaste@@!

Brush often: Most people fail to brush their teeth nearly as often as they should; realize that most of the food and drink you consume will stain your teeth, and because of this, you should always plan to brush as soon as you finish eating (or as soon as you finish drinking anything besides water!).

You will notice a rapid difference in the way your teeth look when you start to follow these tips; and the longer you continue to follow these tips, the more pronounced this difference will be!

Wearing The Best Clothes For Aerobic Workouts

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You want to make sure that your performance matches up with your capacity when you work out. One of the biggest limitations you can put on yourself when working out is a wardrobe that fails to help you in your quest for high performance. You can have success in your aerobic workouts once you know the right clothes to wear.

A lot of people think of their workout time as the perfect opportunity to make sure they "look good," but this is absolutely the wrong approach to take. Rather than wearing clothes that cost a lot of money and that look good during your travels to and from the gym, you should select clothes that you can sweat in. You can find a lot of inexpensive options that match up with this goal. Most clothes for aerobic workouts will be lightweight, loose-fitting, and constructed of breathable material. You can go to just about any sporting goods store to find clothes like this, or you can just go to the back of your closet or those boxes in the attic! Glance around, and you'll find that you have lots of old shorts, sweatpants, and lightweight shirts and tanktops.

Choosing the right shoes is another important aspect of your aerobic workout. While you might have held back during your purchases of workout clothes, shoe shopping for your workout is a good time to break out the checkbook. Shoes can seem like they are expensive, but the price of good shoes is much less than the price of sore feet. Shop for shoes carefully: make sure the shoes you pick out fit comfortably, and that they are sturdy. Remember that there are different shoes for different kinds of workouts. You do not want to buy a pair of track shoes for your aerobic workout. You don't want to end up at the gym with a pair of rock climbing shoes! You want shoes that will be lightweight, well-made, and comfy for your intense (or not-so-intense) aerobic workouts.

Sure, it might seem odd to put so much time into thinking about the clothes you will wear while working out. But the time and thought put into this will prevent you from ending up with ruined clothes and sore feet! After you pick out the right outfit, you will finally be set to focus on the stuff that really matters - your aerobic workout itself.

How To Get Your Daily Dose Of Protein

Even though many of us neglect to get enough of it, protein is one of the most important things you can put into your body. For some of us, we don't get enough of it because we choose not to eat meat. For others of us, we simply do not take the time to think about what we are eating. And of course, some people really just plain forget to care! Whatever the case, it is absolutely vital for you to begin recognizing the importance of protein. Here are some great and easy ways to make sure your body is getting enough.

Of course, the best source of protein is meat. Of course, red meat - in addition to protein - adds a lot of fat and other stuff you might not like. Instead of red meat, think about adding more chicken and fish to your diet. Fish is one of the best things you can put into your body!

If you do not eat meat, or if you do not care for meat, nuts are a great source of protein as well. There is, however, one problem with nuts, and it is the fact that nuts are high in cholesterol, and should therefore not be consumed in large doses.

These days, there are plenty of non-traditional sources of protein in addition to the standard sources of nuts and meats. If you want the benefits of protein along with the goodness of fruit, consider adding protein powder to a fruit smoothie. You can buy such smoothies at places like Jamba Juice and Smoothie King, or you can even make them at home. Protein bars are another good option. Although some people complain about the way protein bars taste, no one complains about how easy they are to take with you on the go! Grab one on your way out the door, and eat it wherever you are going.

It does not matter if your protein is coming from meats and eggs or from nuts and protein bars, as long as you are getting your protein. The recommended amount of protein is 50 grams a day, but remember that this is just the suggested minimum. If you realize that you are not getting enough protein, figure out where you can make changes. In the long run, your body will thank you!

Health Benefits Of Cinnamon

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When most people think of cinnamon, they think of cinnamon rolls, or of some other sort of treat that includes both cinnamon and sugar, but even though cinnamon combined with sugar can be a tasty treat, cinnamon on its own can actually be hugely beneficial for the health of your body; here are some of the health benefits of cinnamon, as well as some of the best ways for you to get cinnamon into your diet.

Two of the biggest things cinnamon does are the following: it lowers the bad cholesterol in your body, and it also helps your blood to circulate better (which it does by helping to prevent your blood from clotting), and with how hard people work to achieve these two things, cinnamon becomes a great addition to any diet.

If you deal with diabetes, cinnamon is also great for you, as it helps to regulate blood sugar - and cinnamon (when a half teaspoon is mixed with a tablespoon of honey and taken at breakfast) is even a great addition to the diet of those who have arthritis, as it helps to relieve the pain!

Cinnamon can even be beneficial through smell alone, as some studies have shown that people are able to boost their cognitive function and memory when they take in the scent of cinnamon.

One of the toughest things about getting cinnamon into your diet is the fact that it is usually added to things along with sugar (which is, of course, bad for your diet!), but by taking cinnamon with honey in the morning, or by adding cinnamon as a seasoning in your meals or your drinks (cinnamon is especially great in tea and cider!), you will easily be able to enjoy the health benefits of cinnamon.

Two bags of Frontier Cinnamon Sticks!

Not only is cinnamon excellent for your health, but it is also inexpensive, tasty, and easy to incorporate as part of your daily living!

How To Conquer Sleep Problems Without Taking Anything

There are lots of people who have a hard time falling asleep every night, and if you have had such problems yourself, you know they can ruin the next day. And even though there are plenty of sleep aids that can help you sleep, lots of people find that these aids make them drowsy the next day. If you have tried measures ranging from sleeping pills to melatonin to valerian root and have still had problems sleeping or have been groggy the next day, pay attention!

The most biggest thing that will help you fall asleep if you have been experiencing problems sleeping is relaxation in your body and mind. Conversely, if you have been experiencing tension or stress in your body or mind, these can keep you from sleeping well at all. This means that the best way to ease into sleep when you have been experiencing problems is to find what works to make you more relaxed.

One thing that can be a huge benefit when you are trying to relax your body is heat, and a shower is a great way to get heat on your body. If you usually take a shower in the morning, consider taking one at night instead, as this will relax your body.

Tea is another way to relax your body using heat - but make sure you drink tea that is caffeine free, lest you worsen the problem.

Stretching before you go to bed is another method many people have found helps them unwind in their body and sleep better. Of course, you can do the sorts of stretches you would usually do before a workout, or you could try out yoga, which is something that helps a lot of people unwind when they need to.

Meditation is another approach that is similar to yoga, as it helps you regulate your breathing while also calming your body. If meditation is not for you, find breathing exercises that help you breathe deeply and regularly, which will also help your body unravel just a bit.

It can certainly be a frustrating situation, when you are unable to sleep; but if you follow these tips, you will probably be able to find a way to fall asleep more easily, without taking anything at all.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Daily Walk

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One of the best ways to keep your body active (which, of course, equates to keeping your body healthy!) is to take a walk on a daily basis - or, at the very least, to attempt to take a walk on a daily basis - but in addition to the basic health benefits of walking, there are a few things you can do to get even more out of this walk - for your body, your mind, and your overall wellbeing.

While it will certainly be good for your body if you walk along a flat sidewalk in a neighborhood or park, you will help your body even more if you are able to find a place to walk where you will sometimes be going uphill, and will sometimes be going downhill; furthermore, a quicker pace and longer strides will do a lot to help this walk be the best workout it can be.

One reason a lot of people do not walk as often as they should is the fact that they feel walking tends to "take up too much time"; if you are not the sort of person who will enjoy simply walking and breathing in some fresh air, consider bringing an audiobook along, or even think about using this time to learn a new language or gather new knowledge through the things you listen to!

As for your overall wellbeing, realize that getting a bit of sunlight each day is a big part of having a healthy mind and body, so even though work obligations might prevent you from walking outside when the sun is up most days, make an effort to do this when you can; furthermore, realize that walking barefoot in grass is much better for you than walking on concrete with shoes - so when you can, indulge in this addition to your walk as well!

You will already be doing a whole lot for yourself by taking a daily walk - but when you add in these extras, you will make your walk even more beneficial!

First Aid Tips on Kids Health

When it comes to scraped knees, bumps, and bruises some kids need more care then others. It can be a wide variety of reactions from a complete melt down over a paper cut to a kid wiping himself off and getting back up while gushing blood. Basic first aid for a child can be a bit tough. Here are a few tips that may help get the child’s mind off of their pain and at least distract them a bit so you can get them cleaned up.

Novelty Band-Aids can be a great way to get your child’s mind off of their injury. Cuts and scrapes always feel better it seems when there is a Band-Aid on them. There is such a fun assortment of band-aids that you can go anywhere from bacon and pickles to fairies. Getting to pick out their new personal body sticker not only will keep their wound clean but will keep their mind on something else while you get a chance to clean them up with soap and water.

If you have a child that is scared of getting their abrasions cleaned because of the fear of it stinging you could consider getting a product such as Bactine, which is formulated to be a painless antiseptic for cuts and bug bites. Otherwise if you have a tougher child hydrogen peroxide can be a fast and easy way to clean out a cut, some kids even get a kick out of how it bubbles on their cut. It is really important to get a cut cleaned up.

If you need an icepack there are a number of reusable icepacks which are geared towards kids. They include neat characters such as Elmo, Spiderman, and Hello Kitty . It is a great way to get a cold pack on them which they may use.

The Best Fruits To Eat When Trying To Lose Weight

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A lot of people naturally tie "eating healthy" together with "losing weight," but one thing they may not know (or, at least, that they are shocked to realize!) is that fruits are high in both carbohydrates and sugars - and of course, carbs and fruits are two of the main things you will want to avoid if you are trying to lose weight; because of this, it is helpful for you to make sure you know which fruits are still good to eat if you are wanting to lose weight, and which fruits you should try to avoid.

Generally speaking, the more sweet a fruit is, the more sugar it has in it (and the worse it is for you if you are trying to lose weight); this means that even as delicious as fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, and mangos are - along with most other "tropical" fruits - they will be best left alone if "losing weight" is your primary goal.

The second category of fruits are those that are not necessarily "great" for helping you lose weight, but are not bad either; these fruits include such favorites as apples, oranges, and cherries - but you should also realize that drinking the juice of these fruits is not the same as eating these fruits, and that the juice of these fruits will have a lot more carbs and sugars in them!

And in the final category, you will find the fruits that will not be a problem at all for you if you are trying to lose weight: berries pretty much dominate this category, as everything from blueberries to blackberries to raspberries to cranberries will be excellent fruits to focus on in your efforts to lose weight.

Of course, if you are trying to lose weight, you should not think too hard about what fruits you are eating - after all, if you are even at the point of asking which fruits are best, you are far beyond most people who are still chomping on breads as they try to lose weight - so simply use these tips as a guideline, and remember that really, fruit is great for you no matter what!

Drinking Clean Water At Home

It is extremely important that you get enough water into your body each day, as continued hydration is a big part of continued health. But many people fail to drink even close to enough water each day, and part of the reason for this lack of water is because - quite frankly - their water tastes no good. If your water does not taste satisfactory, chances are you will not convince yourself to drink one gallon (8 glasses) of water per day like you should. You can have clean, tasty water to drink at home if you follow these tips, and in this way you can watch as your water intake increases and your health improves!

Bottled water is, of course, one of the best (and most transportable) ways to get clean, tasty water all the time. At the same time, however, bottled water can cost quite a bit of money - especially if you buy it by the bottle. With bottled water, you should plan to buy it in bulk, as this will allow you to always have water to take with you wherever you go while also getting a good deal on it.

If you want the taste of bottled water without the price, consider getting a water bubbler in your own house. You can usually buy the bottles that go with these for as little as $5 or $10, and at such stores as Walmart you can buy water for about $0.33 per gallon. Additionally, you can take this water with you everywhere - just like bottled water - if you simply buy a reusable water bottle.

Of course, there is also the option of filtering your water at home, which can be done in a variety of ways. You can purchase a stand-alone water filter in order to filter your water at home, or you can attach a filter to your sink, or you can just make sure the filtration system in your refrigerator is working.

As long as you choose one of these options to go with, it does not especially matter which one you choose! You will be able to drink delicious, clean water at home once you do this, and then you will be able to actually drink as much water as your body requires.

How To Keep Your Teeth White

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A lot of people constantly seem to struggle to try to figure out how to keep their teeth white; after all, bleaching trays and products such as Crest Whitestrips certainly work, but these can also take a lot of time - and what's more, they make some people feel sick; because of this, it is natural to ask the question of whether or not there is a simple way to keep teeth white!

One of the best things you can do in order to keep your teeth white is to be careful of what is hitting your teeth; there are lots of different foods that will stain teeth - not to mention such drinks as cola and coffee - and unless you brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking these things, they are absolutely certain to stain your teeth over time!

It is possible to stem the rate at which these things will stain your teeth by brushing after each time you eat or drink (anything besides water, that is), but this is not always a feasible option; one option that is feasible, however, and that also works well, is chewing on wood (think toothpicks!), as there are lots of tribal cultures that chew on wood throughout the day and have whiter teeth than most people with access to more advanced products!

And of course, you can always consider sticking with some of the aforementioned advanced products - such as bleaching trays and Crest Whitestrips - and if you are looking for a solution that will solve this issue quickly, you cannot do much better than this!

For the most part, if you are taking good care of your teeth (brushing two to three times each day, and flossing after each meal), you will find that your teeth are remaining relatively white - but if you are looking for your teeth to really sparkle (or if you are trying to catch up from years of bad habits), these are all things worth keeping in mind!

Comparing Gatorade and Water

The question of whether Gatorade or water is better has seemed to swirl endlessly for the last forty years, fueled by those with strong opinions on either side. After all, we all know that hydration is important, but is it even possible that there is a better method of hydration than plain old water?

The history of Gatorade itself helps us to understand a bit more about the history of the comparison between the effectiveness of Gatorade and the effectiveness of water. Researchers at the University of Florida first created Gatorade when the Florida Gators' head football coach asked them if there was a way for his players to be less sluggish during long, hot practices. The Gators defeated Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl not long after that - in 1967 - and when the Tech coach was asked why his team lost, he said it was because they did not have Gatorade on their side.

You probably already know that Gatorade is intended to replenish elements in the body that water alone cannot replenish. And in answering the question of whether Gatorade or water is better, this understanding is the basic foundation that leads to a conclusion.

When you sweat, your body loses more than just water; Gatorade is scientifically designed to replenish these elements in addition to replenishing water, which makes it extremely valuable to athletes. Some athletes choose to stick to a certain diet that will keep them from losing so many of these elements when they sweat, but it is a lot easier (and more straightforward) to just replenish with a Gatorade!

Mix Your Own Gatorade At Home!

On the other hand, when the body is at rest, it does not especially need all the sugars and other elements that Gatorade provides. After all, someone sitting on a couch, watching a movie, does not especially need to replenish any great loss from their body, and so, they do not especially need to crack open a bottle of Gatorade!

Athletes should take the following approach to Gatorade: drink lots and lots of water before an event, and then, during the event, drink lots and lots of Gatorade! And if you are not an athlete, try to drink Gatorade as sparingly as you drink soda or other sugar-filled drinks; after all, if you are not losing buckets of sweat, there is no need to replenish!

Naturally Boosting Your Energy

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One thing that presents a lot of people with problems - at work, at home, and even when they have days off during which they want to do nothing but relax and play - is that they have a hard time keeping up their energy, and this can be especially annoying given the fact that a lot of these people are unable to figure out what they need to do in order to solve this problem for their own self; if you have had problems keeping up your energy, however, the good news is that there are actually a number of easy ways to go about boosting your energy in a natural manner!

One of the biggest reasons people tend to feel low on energy is that they are not eating the right foods; when you eat foods that are processed and filled with preservatives, or when you eat foods that have a lot of sugar in them, your body is less likely to remain awake and full of energy, so instead of eating the "bad foods" so many people put into their bodies on a regular basis, consider eating such foods as apples, berries, and coconut - all of which are extremely healthy for you, and are full of latent energy.

It is unlikely that you will have an opportunity to take a nap during the day if you work at a desk job in an office building, but if you work from home (or if you have a day off and need a burst of energy during it), realize that naps are not only a great way to get a nice shot of energy, but they are actually great for you as well!

And the fact that many people sit at a desk all day, staring at a computer, when their body needs a bit of variance, is one reason a lot of people tend to get tired during the day; if you are starting to get tired, and you feel your mind beginning to lag, get up and take a break from your computer and your desk for a bit, walking around to get the blood in your body flowing and to give your mind a refreshing little break.

When you keep these tips in mind, you should have no problem boosting your energy in a natural manner - helping you to stay awake and alert throughout the remainder of the day!

Herbal teas and their health benefits

Are you a fan of drinking tea? Have you considered drinking teas which are formulated to be healthy for you? If not, here are some teas you might want to add to your cupboard and you might be surprised by their health benefits. Teas and tinctures have been used for many years trough many different cultures to assist with healing and health. There are still a number of herbal teas which are still used today to help with your health.

Many people are starting to gain interest in Chaga mushroom tea. A mild flavored tea is made from mushrooms that grow on birch trees. This tea has been used for a long time in Russia and touted for its healing properties.  This is surprisingly not a dirt flavored tea like you might expect a mushroom tea to be but instead a mild flavor not too bitter.

Echinacea tea is another tea that has been around for centuries. Echinacia is also known as purple coneflower and is a wild flower that grows across the United States. Very common to find these grown by gardeners in their own gardens. Echinacia tea has been used for centuries to help boost the immune system and fight things like the common cold.

Another herbal tea which is very pleasant and helps as well, is mint tea. Mint can be a very agressively growing plant in your garden. You can grow this incredibly fragrant plant or purchased a dried version. You can use Mint tea to help with soar thoats and calm coughs. Mint is also said to help sooth upset stomachs and aid in digestion.

Drinking herbal teas can be good for your health, but make sure to speak with your doctor before deciding to begin herbal supplements which teas ultimately are. This will help stop any potential drug interaction problems that you could possibly have.

The Five Moral Restraints of Yoga

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If you’ve begun a serious yoga practice, you’ll want to incorporate the yamas—the five moral restraints—into your daily practice. Interpret the yamas such that you can apply each of the five restraints to your life in a practical way. Think about the yamas as you move through the many poses in your yoga routine, and then look for ways to put these thoughts into action in real life.

The very first yama is referred to as ahimsa, which means practice of non-violence. You may practice this by being warm and kind towards your coworkers, family members, neighbors, and strangers you encounter. Perhaps you will live this by practicing patience with a trying coworker or gentleness with a child, or maybe you will project global kindness towards all of mankind, recognizing our unifying humanity.

Yama number two is the decision to honor truthfulness, called satya. This may be truthfulness with others, or it may be an issue of being true to yourself and living authentically. Perhaps you will focus on emulating only truthfulness, or maybe you will seek integrity in all you do and experience.

Number three is asteya, which is the resistance to stealing anything. This can be anything as small as not reporting a bank error or as big as not stealing a coworker’s ideas. You may decide the best way to implement this yama is to only use as much as you truly need, preserving resources so others may also have enough, and thereby honoring the earth and its inhabitants.

Number four is brahmacarya, which is the moral restraint of moderation. This is the practice of avoiding extremes, finding the gentle middle ground of taking just what you need, but not depriving yourself so much that you are consumed with self-absorption. Think of ways to live moderately that enhance your overall ability to contribute to the world at large.

The last yama is aparigrapha, or refusal to hoard for oneself. This principle leads us to never hoard our possessions, but to give freely, sharing with others in need.

If you embrace the five moral restraints as a part of your yoga practice, you will proceed along your path to enlightenment.

Fitting Exercise Into Your Busy Schedule

Every week you swear you're going to exercise, but your busy schedule crowds out the possibility? Let go of the idea that you have to invest hours at the gym to stay fit, and try some of these tried and true tricks to stay toned.

Take advantage of lunch break opportunities. Set yourself up such that you have to eat far from where you work. Force yourself to walk both ways, taking the stairs whenever possible and bringing coworkers or your laptop with you if you need to work over lunch.

No matter what, commit to ten minutes of exercise per day. Make ten minutes of exercise--sit ups, planks, push ups, squats--a part of your bedtime routine.

Promise yourself you'll devote two mornings (or late nights) a week to exercise. You may have to work crazy hours during the day, but you can find time on one end or the other of your busy days to fit in exercise, which will increase your energy levels. Designate two days a week as sacred exercise days, and go to the gym at some ungodly hour for a vigorous workout. Work yourself hard on those two days, fitting in both cardio and weights.

Look for ways to challenge your body while running errands and doing household chores. Make yourself walk as much as possible while running errands (park far away, make yourself walk fast) and turn the loading and unloading of bags into a workout by bending your knees, lifting them high, etc. Do something similar when performing chores. Transform vacuuming, sweeping, and scrubbing into a full body workout by bending your knees, squatting, and using a little elbow grease.

Make sure your relaxation times are also active. Instead of watching a movie, meet a friend for a walk. Replace video games with a game outside. Replace sedentary hobbies with athletic or active hobbies.

By thinking outside of the box, you can fit exercise into even the busiest of schedules.

Tips For Staying Safe While Rock Climbing

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If you are wanting to use the nice weather as an opportunity to stay healthy and have fun, one of the best things you can do is go rock climbing, as rock climbing with strengthen everything from your feet to your fingers to your arms, legs, and back, all while allowing you to do something that is plenty of fun. But as fun a rock climbing can be, it can also be dangerous if you do not take the proper precautions, and rather than trying to learn through trial and error (which can be marvelously painful!), you should take the time to learn what you need to do in order to stay safe while rock climbing.

Lots of people tend to think that a crash pad is not really necessary, as they assume it will not do much, or that they are not going to fall from high enough up for it to matter - but before you go rock climbing, realize that crash pads are not just some ploy to make money; they are truly important to have!

Every time you go rock climbing, you should also have a spotter; in addition to being able to keep you safe, a spotter will also be there in case something happens to you, as you will certainly not want to sustain a serious injury when you are out there all alone.

And finally, the longer you climb, the more likely you will be to take things for granted; even though you might start to become comfortable with rock climbing in general, and with the routes you usually do specifically, you should make sure you are always remaining careful as you climb, testing every rock, and never climbing so fast that you could cause yourself trouble.

You should not have a hard time staying safe while rock climbing, as long as you make sure you head out there with a crash pad underneath you, a spotter to keep you safe, and a head for caution.

Guided Meditation Primer

Have you wanted to start a guided meditation practice, but are not sure how to get started? Are you new to meditation? The advantage of guided meditation sessions is you just focus on the instructor as you learn the discipline of taming your mind.

When starting, you'll want to choose between a guided meditation class or an at-home session led by a guided meditation CD. Some meditation programs are focused on a specific purpose, such as smoking cessation or losing weight, where as some are general meditation guides.

If you go to a guided meditation class, you’ll have the advantage of seeing how others practice. You'll learn important things like what positions are best for sitting for long periods of time. You’ll also learn discipline because the group setting will make it less likely that you’ll give up partway through a session. You’ll also have the advantage of seeing your guide and learning some about his or her practice.

If you buy a guided meditation CD, make sure it's at least a half hour long (an hour is better). You’ll be instructed to choose a quiet spot where you will not be interrupted. Once the CD gets going, close your eyes, settle into a position that will be comfortable but in which you can stay alert, and focus on the guide's voice.

Work your way through the breathing exercises, giving your breath your full attention. The guide will help you get deeper into a meditative state by describing imagery or telling a storyline that will help you follow along. Follow the guide through thoughts regarding the issue you wish to change or the path of acceptance, whatever the instructor's message is. The instructor will finally gently bring you back to a fully conscious state, readying you for your daily situations.

You may find that guided meditation is just what you need--a stress relief tool and bad habit extinguisher, all in one.

Tips For Stopping A Flesh Wound From Bleeding

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Although the idea of needing to know how to stop a flesh wound from bleeding might not seem like something you really need to know (until it happens, that is!), you never know when this information will come in handy, and it is certainly better to know what to do before the situation arises than to scramble once you are in the situation! Particularly for people who have children, it is important that you know how to stop a flesh wound from bleeding in order to prevent infection and scarring.

Before you do anything at all with an open wound, you should make sure your hands are clean, as you will be working with your hands and will not want to get dirt or germs into the open cut. The main thing you need to do after you have washed your hands is to stop the bleeding; use sterile gauze (or something similar) to stopper the wound, and then keep pressure applied to the wound while also keeping the area of the wound raised so that it is held above the level of the heart.

You can apply an ice pack to the area if the bleeding persists, as this should slow the bleeding further; it can take up to ten or fifteen minutes for the bleeding to stop completely, so be patient - as long as the situation is continuing to improve, you have no reason to be worried!

Once you have gotten the bleeding to stop (either completely or close to completely), you should clean out the cut with antibacterial soap, and then you should apply an antibacterial cream to a bandage and apply the bandage to the wound.

By taking these easy steps, you should not have any problems solving most flesh wounds, but if you have followed these steps and the situation has not improved, you can deem it to be a medical emergency, and you should immediately get in touch with an emergency medical technician to assist you.