Beauty and Health

Everyone knows that consuming a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is very beneficial to our overall health. Fresh produce tends to be rich in various nutrients which aid our daily bodily functions. In this article I will provide some of the health benefits that we gain by consuming the daily serving of fruit and veggies.

As we all know by now, fruit and vegetables are rich in fiber and fiber is linked to the prevention of many diseases. Some of the illnesses which fiber aids in prevention of include: diverticular disease, colon cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Fiber also helps us maintain a healthy metabolism, wards off constipation and hemorrhoids and curbs our appetite. The fiber in the fruit expands in your stomach upon consumption thereby decreasing your overall food intake. This is why eating fruit is also beneficial for those of us who want to lose weight. Just like the hoodia pills, adding more fiber to the diet we are consuming can help suppress our appetite and help us feel full longer.

Fruit and vegetables are extremely rich in various vitamins and minerals. Because they are so rich in nutrients they are valuable to practically every single organ in our bodies. From vision to heart health, fruit can enhance the health of all body functions. The key is knowing which fresh produce aids in what area. This may require some research via the internet or medical books.

If you have a medical ailment, there is probably a fruit or a vegetable which can improve your health. The key is spending the time to do the research on various fruits, vegetables and herbal remedies. So as you can see, following the five a day rule is not just a gimmick. It is a fact and the first step towards longevity.

Lauren S. Johnson writes health articles about fitness and nutrition.

Some of her favorite passions include studying the effectiveness of the best diet pill.

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The acai berry, often referred to as one of nature’s most powerful superfoods, is from the same family as berries as the cranberry and blueberry. Found in the rainforest’s of South America, this deep reddish-purple berry is high in anthocyanins and flavonoids, two very powerful antioxidants. In fact, the acai berry is higher in these key antioxidants than strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, or even red grapes, all of which are recognized for the high levels of antioxidants they each contain. Because the acai berry tops the list of antioxidant rich fruits, it is believed to have many health benefits, such as assisting with weight loss, detoxifying and cleaning the blood of harmful fats, and increasing energy, while reducing the risk of heart disease at the same time.

Because this berry is a high fiber fruit, it helps to regulate the digestive system. In doing so, harmful toxins are eliminated from the body and energy levels are increased as a side effect.

When integrated into a healthy diet, the acai berry assists in weight loss efforts. While consuming this fruit alone will not be the magic answer some people are hoping for, it is highly recommended by many health professionals as an active component of a diet aimed at reducing calories, while increasing the daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

The rich antioxidant properties in the acai berry also aid in a decrease of Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), otherwise known as bad cholesterol. High LDL levels allow harmful amounts of fat to reside in the body’s bloodstream. This decreases blood circulation and with time, allows plaque build up on arteries, which eventually leads to heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. By incorporating the antioxidant-rich acai berry into a healthy diet, LDL levels are decreased which also decreases the chances of a heart attack, a stroke, and other ailments commonly associated with high cholesterol.

When compared to other foods rich in antioxidants, such as red wine, red grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries, the acai berry is known to contain up to 30 times the amount of antioxidants. However, even aside from its dense antioxidant properties, the acai berry is rich in other vitamins such as copper, magnesium, zinc, Vitamins B1 and B2, Vitamin C, and many other minerals. It also contains high concentrations of important amino acids and Omega3, Omega 6, as well as Omega 9 fatty acids. All of these properties, partnered with the powerful antioxidants contained in the acai berry, are useful in combating wrinkles, sun damage, and other signs of aging. With the popularity of this tiny berry as being a defense against the appearance of aging, it’s not uncommon to spot the oil of it as a key ingredient in many make up and beauty products.

All of these benefits and more give cause for the acai berry to be called a superfood by many dieting and nutrition specialists, or even as a fountain of youth by some, as it pertains to its anti-aging properties. While it is commonly found in the rain forests of South America, acai berry can also be found in most health food stores, online shops, or can be purchased from independent distributors. Wherever it is sold, acai berry is a healthy dietary aid with enormous benefits for all.

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Imagine the sweet delicious taste of black cherries in the form of a juice, 100% pure with no additives. Now imagine if your body could benefit from that 100% pure goodness. Native Americans having been benefiting from Mother Nature’s cherries for years and scientists have known for a while just how powerful the fruit may be to some health related conditions.

For example, if you suffer from the arthritis condition known as gout, you may find that the fruit can help relieve your pain. Cherries are known for their ability to lower uric acid levels inside of your body caused by gout. Anthocyanins, a compound found in cherries, is thought to be the cause behind the relief of gout and other types of joint pain.

Anthocyanins may also be responsible for helping to reduce migraines, lower blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. More specifically Anthocyanins may be able to lower the free radical damage that causes your body to age.

However, anthocyanins aren’t the only beneficial source found in cherries. Melatonin is a hormone that allows your body to sleep. That same hormone is also found in cherries, which may make them extremely valuable to those who suffer from insomnia or other sleep related conditions.

But, the health benefits of black cherry juice don’t stop there. Queritrin and iqueritrin are both very important compounds that may help protect against certain diseases and illnesses. When combined with the compound anthocyanin they could just be the most powerful antioxidant known.

Antioxidants are known for their role in stopping the damage caused by free radicals, which can cause us to age faster and be more susceptible to disease and illness.

So, drinking a glass a day of the wonderful fruit may help reduce many signs of aging as well as lower the risk of many health problems. Even if you don’t have time to drink your cherries, you can get the same benefits in a whole food vitamins supplement.

SeaAloe Whole Food Vitamins are an all natural whole food nutritional health supplement with over 80 nutrients and all essential amino acids. SeaAloe is the original Seasilver formula. You can order SeaAloe at http://www.seasilverfactorydirect.com/

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What is the easiest way to get in shape for your summer vacation? It’s eating healthy during the cold winter months and skipping the beach-body crash diets of years past. As soon as temperatures start rising, I see patients trying to lose the extra pounds that crept on around the holidays and stayed through the winter.

I’m here to tell you how to maintain a healthy body with smart seasonal eating so you can avoid the summer diet panic.

We all know crash diets are unhealthy and rarely effective. The key to healthy weight loss is replacing processed unhealthy foods with better choices like fruits and vegetables. Believe me, if you’re filling up on winter favorites like hearty braised kale, sweet roasted parsnips and juicy sliced pears, there will be no need to count calories. Eating smart will always satisfy your hunger and sustain you year round. By enjoying more winter produce while the weather is chilly, you’ll be ready to start working on your tan on the first sunny day of spring.

Enjoying Fresh Produce

The winter season is not beloved for its bounty of fresh produce. However, the assumption that eating fresh fruits and vegetables during winter is difficult is simply untrue. Winter produce may not be as colorful as a crop of summer berries or as enticing as a basket of fresh peaches, but it is just as nutritious and easy to enjoy.

Winter produce also has an important advantage over delicate summer fruit and vegetables-it stands up to storage. For example, you can keep sweet potatoes and pomegranates on hand for at least two weeks, while plums and zucchini need to be consumed within a few days.

Once you realize that there are a variety of fresh choices available during winter, you can start integrating more fruit and vegetables into your diet. When you replace processed, high-calorie food with nutritious, high-fiber produce, you will consume fewer calories and lose weight. All winter produce offers health benefits, but some are especially packed with antioxidant super powers.

Here are my top 5 winter produce picks, but feel free to add to this list. Happy winter weight loss!

1) Squash – Bite for bite, hearty winter squash have more nutrients than their summer cousins. They are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, two antioxidants that prevent cancer, heart disease and some eye problems. Roast the chopped flesh with olive oil, chili powder and cinnamon.

2) Sweet Potatoes – Their deep orange color means these spuds share a similar nutrient profile with winter squash. The advantage of sweet potatoes is that they are easy to prepare and are a good source of fiber. Simply bake them in their skins or peel, boil and mash lowfat milk and spices.

3) Red Cabbage – A diet high in cruciferous vegetables may prevent cancer thanks to antioxidants. Red cabbage contains anthocyanins, potent antioxidants found in berries, that may boost memory and heart health. It is also loaded with vitamin K to support healthy bones. Try it in a salad dressed with apple cider vinegar and plain lowfat yogurt.

4) Pomegranate- This ancient fruit may have three times the antioxidant power of green tea, helping to fend off cancer and heart disease. Add to salads or make a fresh salsa to garnish roast pork or lamb. To avoid staining hands, hold half the fruit in a bowl of water and remove the seeds.

5) Citrus Fruit- Aside from the obvious vitamin C, oranges and their relatives provide folic acid, potassium and selenium. Furthermore, they are rich in a substance called hesperetin, a flavonoid that may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Eat them as is or use citrus fruit as a topping for lowfat frozen yogurt with a sprinkling of coconut.

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging

http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com
http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com/blog

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Diets have come and gone and a new one will be invented tomorrow promising you everything and delivering very little. That is because they are considered something you go on and then go off. In other words, they are temporary. That is not to say they are useless just that they will never give you continued success unless you change some things permanently.

What is a Diet Good for?

Diets have their place in your weight loss goals. First of all, they can be beneficial to jump starting your metabolism. Kind of a fire starter if you will. A jump-start will give you more energy and the initial weight loss can boost your self-confidence.

However, you will need to be ready to make some whole life changes if you want the results to be permanent. What are some changes you will need to make? Well a lot of that depends on you.

Lifestyle Changes- Fast Food

Are you a fast food junkie who eats out at least a couple of times per week? If so, you will find that you have plenty of company. Many people are so busy that the drive through is a perfect solution for dinner, lunch and even breakfast. The problem is many have no idea that one meal from a fast food restaurant can contain nearly a whole day’s caloric intake.

One popular fast food joint has a burger that is 750 calories! The burger alone is a third of your recommended daily allowance; add the fries and a drink and you are done for the day.

Does this mean you can never have fast food again? Not necessarily, but it will mean that you have to be aware of what you are eating. Most fast food places have a website that contains all the nutritional information for the foods they serve. Check them out then make you a list of “safe” fast foods.

Exercise Changes

If you never move your body more than from the house to the car to work and back you will have a hard time losing weight and keeping it off. The human body functions best when there are periods of exercise. It increases mood stabilizers in the blood stream and best of all burns calories.

While you are on your diet, take the time to incorporate exercise into your life. You will feel better and increase your weight loss rates exponentially. Start with a walk, park further away from the store or your office. Then as you progress, find time to walk more or jog. Whatever you can comfortably fit in your schedule will be a great place to start.

Healthy Eating

This is absolutely the most important part of all. While you are on your chosen diet, you will want to become familiar with healthier food choices. Find ways to make your favorite foods better for you. Can you substitute ground turkey for ground beef in some recipes? Learn new recipes that include fresh fruits and vegetables.

You see your body needs several things to function at a healthy level. Proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals just to name a few. You also need certain fats to cushion joints and protect your vital organs. Create a lifestyle eating plan that brings all of these elements into play and you will feel amazing and best of all you will be able to lose weight and keep it off.

By: Paul Moore

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Hair styles differ from according to your cheek bone shape. Not all hairstyle will have the same impact on your face except for the few. Hair style for round face is different from that with oval face. The different face shapes are oval, round, long, square, heart and diamond. So are there specific hairstyles for different face shape and following the particular hair styles for particular face shape will make you look more gorgeous. So if you are gifted with round face then there is nothing to worry as there are various hair styles for that particular face shape.

Before jumping into any particular hair style it is important that you know what your face shape. It is very easy to follow. Just put your hair into a ponytail so that your face is clearly visible and stand in front of the mirror. Then take a lipstick to draw the outline of your face on the mirror around your face and step back and determine what shape it is more similar to. There is another technique to determine what face shape you have and that is by asking your friends or family members. All this will help you to get the confirmed result. And if your face is round then the best hairstyles that will look good on you are those that will add length to your face.

Yes, a long straight hair will make your face look longer and look beautiful and you will see that your head width shows less due to the straightness of your hair. And if you already have long straight hair then I could say that you are lucky only you need to take care of your hair to keep it healthy and if it is curly then you may want to use a hair straightener like the popular CHI or GHD flat iron to make your hair straight. You can even make the ends of your hair curly that will add width to the bottom of your face. Another good hairstyle options for your round face is to see which celebrity has a round face and what kind of hair style they follow. This is an easiest way to get a collection of hair styles for your round face as they frequently try different hairstyles. Try it on yourself and find out which suits you the best.

At the end, it could be concluded that it is only you who decides which hairstyle to follow and wear on. It is important that you remember always follow that hair style with which you are most comfortable in, and that which also look most beautiful on you. This is because comfort gives confidence and ultimately enhances the inner beauty that will eventually reflect through your face and thus you will look beautiful and gorgeous than ever.

By: Louise123

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Feeling like you are indeed a part of a larger community when first going raw can be one of the biggest factors of success with the lifestyle. Many long-time raw food enthusiasts have relayed this same piece of advice for raw food newbies: “Find support from and get involved with other raw foodists.” We should not be alone in our raw food journey, and nor do we have to be. With the Internet full of social networking sites, raw food communities, and raw food forums, there is no reason to feel isolated. Joining your community or communities means receiving more support, quicken your learning curve, and having more fun. It also means learning about different raw food ways of eating, recipes, business opportunities and ideas, and most importantly, making new friends and connections from all around the world.

Here are the top seven ways you can get involved with the raw food community by creating and finding support:

1. Find your favorite raw food forum or two, bookmark them on your computer, and check them every day or every other day for topics, new forums, and people that interest you. Have a raw food question? Don’t be afraid to ask questions in a new forum or existing chat. See how others are happy to help you out with their experience, strength and hope! Don’t hesitate to post an answer or experience to another person’s question either. As a precautionary warning, forums can eat up a lot of your time if you’re not mindful, so set aside an allotted max amount of time per day to be on these. To find these raw food forums, do a search engine search for “raw food forum” or “raw foods community.” Many are free, some require a monthly membership subscription.
2. Find your favorite raw food blogs and bookmark them on your computer for some raw foods inspiration. Subscribe to the website’s RSS feed if you don’t want to be checking these websites everyday for updates. This will give you notification on your RSS Reader whenever the blogger has updated with a new post. Bloggers often post about experiences with new raw food diets, detoxes, recipes, and superfoods. Most of what they blog about will be of interest to the raw food beginner.
3. Make a habit of commenting on other people’s blog’s, as well as updates in Facebook, in order to get more connected to others and engage in a fun conversation. This is as great way to get people to check out your website or blog too, if you have one. Most bloggers really love getting comments!
4. Join several raw food, vegan, and/or holistic health meetups on www.meetup.com/rawfood and write down upcoming events on your calendar or datebook. Make a commitment to go to 1-2 events per month. It would be great to get a friend to go with you as well. Make sure to get e-mail addresses and phone numbers of the people you click with.
5. Join twitter.com, find, and follow your favorite raw food heros. Many post great raw-food related new-bites, health tips, inspirational tips, and ingredients in their current meal.
6. Ask your favorite raw fooders to become friends with you on Facebook. Facebook is a wonderful place to view raw food photos, get invited to raw food events, and have 1-on-1 conversations with others. There are many interest groups in Facebook that you can join as well to share information and experience within.
7. Host a raw potluck of your own at your place! If you’re inviting non-raw friends, give them easy raw-food recipes to make so it’s as easy as possible for them. Another option for creating your own raw food community would be to start your own raw food meetup, especially if there aren’t any in your area. Meetup.com has instructions on how to do this. There is a fee but this can easily be covered if attendees to events put in $1-$2 each.

Lenette Nakauchi is a raw foodist who is passionate about teaching, coaching and demonstrating to others how to go and stay “raw” in a fun, healthy, sustainable way. Learn more about the raw food lifestyle and about superfoods by visiting her websites http://www.gorawhavefun.com and http://www.eatsuperfoods.com

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At the start of each New Year we get another chance to make a fresh star with our health and fitness goals. Some people like to make resolutions and to set goals for the coming year. But making resolutions is the easy part, keeping them can be tough after the initial good intentions start to fall by the wayside and old habits start to kick in.

We live in a throw-away society and even our resolutions, are not immune to being brushed aside if the going gets tough. But promises to ourselves regarding our health are a bit too important to simple keep ignoring. What if you could make a resolution that you could actually keep, how would that appeal to you?

Well here is a good one for you; it is called “gradual lifestyle change” which is a change in lifestyle, not some shonky quick fix that is unlikely to help you achieve your health and fitness goals long-term.

Think about it this could mean – losing that body fat that has been hanging around for ages, increasing your strength and stamina; lowering your cholesterol, blood pressure or blood sugar; reducing your risk of disease or simply exercising for your own personal wellness. This lifestyle change thing is not a new concept, but what may be new to you is how you should approach it so it can work for you.

Permanent lifestyle change that is healthy and really works is a gradual change – it does not happen overnight. And guess what? It doesn’t end either. Commitments to take control of our lives are often sparked by some special occasion or change in season but you do not have to wait for these occasions to take control of your health and your life. This can be simply be a daily celebration, a renewable resolution and as gradual as the change in the seasons.

Your exercise program is one of the cornerstones of good health and should be properly structured so you obtain the results you are looking for. It should contain strength training exercise along with interval training and should be set up and monitored by a fitness professional. Even if you start with just one session per week and keep that up until it is cemented into your life would be fantastic progress. Far better than trying to achieve 3 or 4 sessions per week which for most people is a totally unrealistic goal then failing totally and giving up the whole program.

One session per week for life would actually give you far better results that stop, start, on and off attempts like many people do. But for some reason people do not see this as progress and keep on with the crash and burn mentality.

Remember lifestyle change indicates a change for life and the first few steps are the hardest. But the good news is the further you go the easier the journey becomes provided of course that you have chosen the right path to follow. This is where any changes you do make are ones you can really live with.

Now would be a good time to start and you could start by making a list of positive improvements and changes in small and manageable steps. Choose your first new habit, track it for a month and make it your new routine then keep that habit as you begin to work on the next one the following month and so on.

Improving your health and wellness is and always should be an ongoing journey that is an enjoyable one at every step along the way. If you start by making your “gradual lifestyle change” resolution and keep it simple and easy the odds are very good that it will be the one resolution you will actually keep.

Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body, regaining lost vitality and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook “I’ve Found the Fountain of Youth – Let Me Show You Too!” Fountain of Youth

Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger. In her nearly 30 years of fitness and bodybuilding competition experience she has helped thousands of people start their journey towards being strong, fit and youthful at any age.

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The New Year is here and already two weeks has passed you by. You swore to yourself that this year would be different. You even got a gym membership and everything. So, why are you still procrastinating? For most people, it is the thought of sweating away all their time on a treadmill that keeps them from starting. What makes the difference for people who can not seem to get enough exercise to achieve a Healthy Lifestyle?

In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, you have to have a love for exercise. Or, at least a like for it. If exercise is not in your heart, trick yourself so that it is! You can not move toward your goals without a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve them…and getting started is the most difficult task to overcome. You may not want to do it, but nine times out of ten when a person just gets going, they want to continue.

Here are 4 proven ways to trick yourself into thinking exercise is something you love.

How To Love Exercise Trick #1: Get The Right Nutrition

How is this going to trick myself, you ask? Well, what happens when you provide your body with the right nutrition? You feel healthier and more energetic. This energy usually calls out to you to hit the gym, or even a simple walk around the block without you even knowing it. When you eat poorly, you feel like sitting on the couch and eating even more junk food.

Proper nutrition for me is a soy-based protein drink every morning along with a cup of hot green tea. This gives me nutrition and energy I need to get me through the day without ever even thinking about taking a nap. What’s even better is that green tea has been known to increase metabolism, so the more I drink the more I shrink. (width wise, not length!)

How To Love Exercise Trick #2: Baby Steps

Ease into exercise. Do not start out with a bang or you will burn out just as fast as you started. Take a laid back approach to exercise at first. Make small goals and achieve them every single day. If you have never been a runner but would like to begin, do not try to run 5 miles a day. Start with a half mile and increase it by a half mile each week.

So many people quit exercising after only a week because they over exert themselves and drain too much energy in too little time. Stretch properly to avoid muscle soreness and by all means drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. This little trick of taking baby steps into an exercise program will allow you to enjoy the journey you are taking to good health.

How To Love Exercise Trick #3: Join A Class

Being around others who want to achieve the same goals as yourself will take the edge off your worries about exercise being too much work and not enough fun. Exercise is what you make of it. If you want it fun, make it fun. Think beyond the treadmill and stationary bicycle, and do not worry about the abilities of others. Focus on improving only yourself.

There are many classes that offer activities other than typical exercise that will give you the same benefits. You do not have to run like a hamster for an hour to get a great workout. Remember dancing? How about karate? Even joining a bowling league is more active that sitting on the couch. Just remember to choose a lane far away from the vending machine!

How To Love Exercise Trick #4: Listen To Music Or Watch TV

If you are the type of person who likes to exercise alone but can not seem to get yourself motivated to do so, purchase an IPOD shuffle and download your favorite music to accompany you. There is no better driving force than keeping yourself entertained while you exercise. Your mind will not be focused on the “work” of your work-out, and you will trick yourself into passing the time enjoying yourself without the boredom of silence.

If you can not tear yourself away from your television set, there is no reason you can not exercise during prime time. Gyms are equipped with TV sets, and they will usually let you choose the station you want. Set yourself up for a half hour of treadmill walking or stationary bike riding. The trick here is that you will be so into your tv show you will probably forget you are exercising.

The more you exercise, the less it will become a chore and the more you will love it. Exercise is the only proven “healthy habit,” meaning that is can become addictive so that you will never want to miss a day without it. In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, you must develop the mindset of a person who thinks this way. For some people it comes naturally. If you are someone who considers exercise too much work and not enough play, follow the steps listed about to trick yourself into changing your way of thinking.

Bill Winch is a Personal Wellness Coach whose mission is teaching and coaching others who are struggling with getting healthy, losing weight safely and keeping it off for good. He is a former High School and College Business Educator and Counselor, and mentors from his home office in Rochester, NY. If you are interested in receiving his Free Report “9 Weight Loss Myths Exposed” visit his website by clicking on FREE REPORT or by calling him directly at (585) 271-3767 for a free wellness consultation.

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