Get Fit, Stay Fit, Today

After a strenuous workout, your body is typically in a very fatigued and stressed state.  You’ve taken your body close to, if not all the way up to, it’s limits and now your body is in need of some repair and rejuvenation.  If you don’t give it what it needs right now, you’re going to be out of balance for the rest of your day and you could suffer a post-workout energy crash. This is a great time to introduce a protein shake that doesn’t fall outside of the weight loss tips you’re trying to follow.

As you probably know, the best source of immediate energy for you body is carbohydrates, but, you want to make sure you’re giving your body the right kind of carbs.  Any type of refined carb, such as white rice, white bread or simple sugar, is going to raise your blood sugar levels incredibly fast.  This will cause your body to release a huge amount of insulin to try to convert all of that sugar.  Once it’s all converted, you’re left with all this insulin in your blood, which causes that “sugar crash” you may have heard about.

To make sure you don’t go through these sugar and then insulin spikes, it’s important to make sure your carbs release into your body at a slow and steady pace.  For this reason, select a carbohydrate with a lot of fiber in it, such as fresh fruits and berries as well as whole oats and brown rice.

A great after workout protein shake would normally start with protein, of course.  I try to pick one with little to no carbs, especially sugar.  You’re already battling the massive amount of sugars we find in everything else we eat, no point in having it in your protein powder as well.  To help reduce the amount of fat in your diet, I would suggest using water instead of milk.  If you add in some whole oats and blend them up really well, they will add a nice thickness to your shake.  Include some of your favorite fruits such as a banana or even some berries to help replenish our energy stores and you’re set for a wonderful post-workout recovery.

There has been an explosion in the health world about the health benefits and nutritional profiles of exotic berries like the acai berry, goji berry and nonji berry. All three of these berries have been given the status of a ‘superfruit’ or ‘superberry’ because of their high antioxidant content. So lets take a look at them!

Goji Berry
The goji berry, also known as the wolfberry, is a fruit native to southeastern Europe  and Asia. As with many exotic berries, the goji berry is only available in the west as a juice or as a dried fruit because of the perish-ability of the raw fruit. Many of the ‘goji berry juices’ in the market are often mixed with a lot of other fruits juices and are often marketed or labelled disingenuously. Be sure to check labels thoroughly, if you want a 100% pure goji juice. The real deal is more expensive and comes at about $50 a bottle.

The nutritional profile of the goji berry is an impressive one. 100g of the dried fruit will provide you with 100% of the DRI (dietary reference intake) of vitamin B2, vitamin C and iron. It also contains 18 different amino acids and is a great source of  unsaturated fats such as linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid. What really raises the goji berry up to the title of a super fruit is its excellent content of antioxidant carotenoids. It contains some of the more well researched and powerful of carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene and cryptoxanthin.

Noni Berry
The noni berry is the newest on the health scene of the exotic super berries, even though it has been used as a staple healthy food in some pacific islands for 2000 years or more. Hawaii, Malaysia and Tahiti are among the main islands were the noni plant grows. Like the other exotic super berries, noni has been taken under the wing by marketers as a cure for just about every ailment, and is also marketed as an aid for weight loss. I am not so sure about all the hype it gets, but with its impressive array of antioxidants it is sure to help protect us from degenerative disease like cancer and heart disease.

The noni berry is a great source of vitamins and mineral such as vitamin C, potassium, niacin and  iron. It is also a good source of vitamin A and calcium. Its very impressive antioxidant phytochemical content includes lignans, catechins, iridoids, damnacanthals and alkaloids.

Acai Berry
The acai berry is the most famous and most popular (at least in regards to acai product sales) of the exotic berries. It is grown in the amazonian marsh lands were it is a popular high energy food for the locals. One of the unique factors of the acai berry is its exceptionally high content of healthy fats – for a fruit. To read more about the nutritional profile and antioxidants found in the acai berry visit acai berry juice .

Phytochemicals are health promoting substances that are found in plants. They act as antioxidants in plants protecting them from the oxidative effects of free radicals found in UV light (and now pollution). Phytochemicals also protect plants form disease by protecting them from pathogens like bacteria and viruses.

The good news is that when we eat phytochemical rich fruits and plants they also help to protect us from diseases like cancer, heart disease and more.

Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene is found abundantly in carrots and other orange colored fruits and vegetables like yams and papaya. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A  in the body, a vitamin that is essential for eye health. Vitamin A deficiency will lead to night blindness and eventually complete blindness.

Lycopene
Lycopene is a red based plant pigment that puts the vibrant color in tomatoes and red peppers. It is a powerful antioxidant with notable anti-cancer properties. Areas in the world where they eat tomatoes daily have a considerable less risk of developing cancers. Particularly cancers of the lung, prostate and stomach.

Resveratrol
Also a red colored plant pigment, resveratrol is a key ingredient of the famous heart healthy properties of red wine. Resveratrol is found most abundantly in red grapes, but blueberries and cranberries are also a source. Two recent research studies found that resveratrol supplementation could greatly increase the elasticity of arteries, consequently lowering blood pressure levels in participants with hypertension. More elasticated arteries also help to protect us from developing atherosclerosis – the #1 contributer to heart disease.

Juicing Benefits
The benefits of juicing phytochemicals is that you can provide yourself with a copius amount of them. For example, carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene, but you would never eat 8 of them in one sitting. However, about 8 carrots is the amount you would need to make just one glass of juice and this is done easily with fruit juicers! This will provide you with considerably more beta-carotene than eating one carrot.

Breakfast Juice Recipes #1
1 orange
1 pink grapefruit

Breakfast Juice Recipes #2
3 oranges
3 pears

Green Juice Recipes #1
A handful of kale
A handful of spinach
1 green apple

Green Juice Recipe  #2
1/2 cucumber
2 celery stalks
A handful of parsley
4 carrots

Fruit  Juice Recipes #1
4 cups of red grapes
1 cup of blueberries

Fruit Juice recipes #2
2 cups of blueberries
1 cup of blackberries
1 cup of raspberries

Vegetable Juice Recipes #1
8 carrots
1 celery stalk

Vegetable Juice Recipes #2
1 cucumber
1 carrot
1 green apple
1/4 cup of parsley
1/4 cup of mint
1/2 inch of fresh ginger
1/2 lemon (peeled)
Brinton Edwards

It is an interesting fact that Western countries experience a much higher level of colon cancer then developing nations. Even more interesting is that when residents of countries with lower rates of colon cancer move to Western countries, their risk of colon cancer correspondingly increases. This strongly implies that lifestyle considerations, rather than genetic factors, are involved in the cause of this disease.

One of the more well known factors is linked to colon cancer and other conditions is your diet. One of the features of diets in countries with low rates of colon cancer is a much higher fiber intake than developed countries. High fiber intake is also known to improve regularity, so it is certainly possible that helping your colon to push through all waste efficiently can help you avoid more serious conditions than just being constipated, down the track.

One of the best ways to increase your fiber intake is to eat lots of whole grain cereals, in particular oats which have an amazing array of health benefits. You can also include foods like chickpeas, lentils, and beans. Try to get at least 3 to 4 serves per day of high fiber food.

Some other general tips for a good colon health diet are to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and try to avoid lots of red meats in your diet. High levels of fat are bad, particularly animal and vegetable fats. Instead, use olive oil or any of the range of nut oils.

Although no studies have conclusively shown medical benefits from the practice, many believe in colonic irrigation as an extra step for colon health. If you intend to pursue this, discuss with a health professional first. Cleansing the colon by irrigation is associated with fluid loss and removal of vitamins and minerals from your system, so if you do choose this method it is recommended to take a vitamin supplement and keep up your fluid intake.

Many people are finding out that they are allergic to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and a couple of other grains. Let’s talk about why you may be on a gluten free diet and what exactly it will mean to you. There are actually a couple of reasons why you may need to avoid gluten, and your specific reason may impact how strictly you need to follow a gluten free diet.

There are three medical conditions that are the most common reasons for someone being on a gluten free diet: a wheat allergy, a gluten allergy, and celiac disease. While none of these conditions are fun exactly, a wheat allergy is the least dire, and celiac disease is the most critical. The good news, if you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, is that you do not have to take any medication for them. The only treatment you need is careful regulation of your diet, and the even better news is that the treatment is 100% effective for your condition.

A wheat allergy, as I said, is the serious of the three conditions. Not to say that it’s fun to have to deal with, but all a person suffering from a wheat allergy has to do is eliminate wheat from their diet. The other grains that contain gluten – rye, barley, oats, etc. – are still fine to eat. This is the easiest and least restrictive diet plan for the three conditions. Some people who are allergic to wheat may still be able to eat a small amount of wheat in their diet and be fine with no allergic reaction. This differs from person to person, so if you are allergic to wheat you’ll have to test and experiment for yourself to see what your body will put up with.

This post has been provided by Gluten Free Cooking School, a blog about eating and cooking a gluten free diet. They have lots of gluten free resources, including some yummy gluten free pizza recipes.

At the time you think of maple syrup, you often envision it flowing smoothly down loads after piles of pancakes and waffles. You can also utilize it on bread, which makes a very good alternative to jams and preserves. Some folk even use it to pour over foods that are already sweet independently like bananas, ice cream, cupcakes, and pies. On the other hand is maple syrup all just about its sweetness? Can it possess anything else to offer than sugary goodness?

Within its thick and viscous syrup, maple is said to be at least 3 x more sweeter than sugar cane. Maple syrup is a consequence of the sap of the maple tree. Regardless of the fact almost anyone would most frequently believe that the sap is already the organic Canadian maple syrup itself, however it is not the truth. Barely a tiny percent of the sap is created from of the actual syrup and it takes a long process before the genuine maple syrup is generally extracted. That is quite possibly one of many reasons why a container or bottle of maple syrup is far from being cheap.

Then how nourishing can maple syrup really be? It is full of vitamins, especially vitamin B12 which is often known as riboflavin. Beyond its sugar content, it is the vitamin B12 that works to make the maple syrup an exceptional source of energy. It enhances our body’s metabolism, leading to more efficient and more rapidly burning up of energy. Maple syrup also has zinc, which significantly supports speeding up the restorative process specifically with open wounds. It is also full of the mineral, manganese, which is a fantastic antioxidant. This makes maple syrup an immunity booster and supports the body fight off the harsh free radicals which could wreck havoc to our cells. These and many more other properties give to the belief that maple syrup is mostly extremely healthy and natural food. Turn it into a per day practice to consume maple sugar and to alternate it with using regular sugar every once in a while.

In the movie “Candleshoe” there was the statement that said “garlic keeps everything away”.  As you research about garlic you find it has many medicinal properties.  For instance, Garlic can help prevent atherosclerosis by lowering the bodies cholesterol in the blood.  It has also been shown to strengthen the immune system against infection.  Garlic can also lower blood-sugar levels in people with diabetes.  It serves to tie up chemical receptors that would deactivate insulin.  It can do this without stimulating weight gain. There are vitamin supplements that contain garlic tablets to make it easy to gain the benefits of garlic.

For the cough or flu, a cough syrup can be made by combing 1 garlic and a quart of water.  After letting it sit for 12 hours, add sugar until the substance reaches the consistency of syrup.  Honey can be added for flavor.

One person who had taken antibiotics for years found that if she ate one fresh garlic three times a day her infection cleared up in 72 hours.  In fact, she felt better after just 48 hours.  Of course her friends didn’t come around anymore either.  I do not know that for a fact but it sounded good.

The use of garlic is associated with lower rates of breast, colon, larynx and stomach cancer since it contains compounds that prevent tumors from developing.

Garlic oil that is applied to the ear will reduce earaches.  It will also give the taker a better chance of avoiding heart attacks.

Some ideas on consuming garlic without the aftereffects are to mash the garlic and swallowing it  rather than having it stay in your mouth.  Another idea is to chew parsley or basil after eating the garlic.  This may serve to make your breath smell better.  Cooking the garlic is another idea.  This will cut down on the smell.  Brushing your teeth and tongue, or gargling with mouthwash are other ideas to reduce the effects of bad breath.

There are also garlic supplements that will perform the function of improving your health.  If you do take a supplement be sure to make sure it is of natural nutrients.  This will serve to ease what ails you.