Natural Solutions for Better Hair

Having better hair doesn't have to mean hours at a salon or wrecking your wallet with expensive hair treatments. The fact of the matter is that many salon treatments may help your hair look better temporarily, but many of these treatments actually damage your hair. For instance, excessive coloring, perming, and highlighting actually stresses your tresses.

If you want better hair and you don't want to stress your tresses, try some of the natural solutions we discuss in this article. Most of these solutions are simple, practical, and can be achieved with ingredients in your kitchen cabinet.

Natural Solutions for Better Hair from the Outside In
Changing just a few aspects of your daily hair care regimen can give you better hair. You just have to know a little bit about how hair grows and is nourished. Consider a few of these natural solutions that can help your hair look and grow better:

Sun Protection: Like your skin, your hair can suffer from sunburn. Mild sun exposure can give your hair some great highlights, and won't do much damage. However, prolonged sun exposure, especially in the hours between 10 AM and 3 PM, can damage your hair. The results can be split ends, dry hair, and a general lack of health. Wear hats or use specially-formulated shampoos or conditioners that include sunscreen.

Comb Rather Than Brush: Depending on your hair type and fullness, try combing your hair rather than brushing your hair. The bristles on brushes can damage hair shafts, while broad-toothed combs don't. Obviously, people with super thick or curly hair may not be able to use a comb. If you have this kind of hair, choose a brush that has bristles with rounded tips to limit damage.

Treat Your Scalp at the Right Time: If you are going to use any kind of scalp treatment, timing is important. Scalp treatments are more effective when the pores are open, so the perfect time to apply any scalp therapy is just before you step into a warm bath. The pores in your scalp will be open and dilated, and thus more able to respond to any kind of applied treatment. After you have rinsed out your scalp treatment, consider rinsing your hair with cold water. The cold water re-tightens pores and has the tendency of leaving your hair shinier.

Natural Solutions for Better Hair from the Inside Out
The above tips help support hair health from the outside in. You can get better hair by supporting your hair from the inside out. Your lifestyle often has a big influence on the health of your hair. For instance, check out these simple natural solutions for better hair from the inside out:

• drink enough water
• get plenty of sleep
• eat plenty of healthy fresh foods
• exercise regularly (enough to sweat and open your pores)
• avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake

These lifestyle solutions are pretty much "no-brainers" because they support your body's general health as well as hair health.

Supplements are another way to get better hair. When it comes to healthy hair, most people immediately think of biotin. While taking oral supplements of biotin may help you have better hair, your body's ability to absorb nutrients plays a big factor in this supplement's effectiveness.

What often seems to work better is to support your liver as well as your body's level of probiotics. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver governs the head hair. If your liver is healthy, your hair will also be healthy. Eating foods that support the liver, such as leafy greens and sprouted greens, will help you have better hair. If you can't slow down enough to prepare fresh foods, consider adding to your diet a powdered supplement of sprouted greens that gently supports your liver health. Just mix the powder with any veggie juice and drink it down. Voila... mission accomplished!

Another way to support hair health from the inside out is to ensure that the probiotics that live in your gut are healthy and happy. Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut, and provide a variety of health benefits. These benefits include assisting with digestion, preventing harmful bacteria from taking up residence, and providing a first line defense against foreign invaders.

But when it comes to having better hair, probiotics are important for a different reason: they produce a variety of vitamins, including biotin. Probiotics also produce vitamin K, folic acid, and a variety of B vitamins. All of these support general health. Biotin helps with healthy hair growth. As always, the body seems to accept and assimilate the vitamins produced by its own systems rather than synthetic or other forms of vitamins not ingested in natural or whole foods. At the end of the day, it seems a better idea to take probiotics, such acidophilus and bifidus, orally rather than taking a single biotin supplement.

Better Hair from the Outside or Inside
Are you getting the message that natural solutions that produce better hair are simple, practical, and plain common sense? That's what we have discovered. No matter what "type" of hair you have, these natural solutions are equally applicable. More importantly, by boosting your hair's health using these solutions, you also support your body's overall health.

Now that's a no-brainer, right?

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Natural Solutions for Spring Activities

Spring has definitely sprung, and many of us are out in the garden, playing sports, and getting fit again! As a result, many of us are also dealing with the effects of getting active outdoors: cuts, bruises, sprains, sunburn, and picnic food!

Luckily, we have some great natural solutions that can support your health, keeping you active and participating in your outdoor activities. Check these out, try them, and enjoy!

Japanese Ume Plum Tar for Too Much Picnic Food
For stomach upset, diarrhea or nausea. This can be found in your local health food store. A tiny amount of Ume Plum Tar will almost immediately improve the state of your digestive system and alleviate feelings of nausea.

Ginger for Travel
For nausea. Ginger in tincture form can be found in your local health food store. If you feel nauseous or motion sick, take 2 to 4 drops orally or in tea to alleviate symptoms.

Probiotics as a Natural Antibiotic
For supporting the immune system, preventing the onset of colds and flus, and improving digestion. Did you know that acidophilus is a first line of defense in your body? If you feel you are about to catch a cold or flu, take 6 to 8 acidophilus with spring water, then take 2 every 2 hours thereafter. Your cold will vanish before it starts. Taking bifidus at night ensures restful sleep and a full-spectrum probiotic prevents constipation.

Rescue Remedy for Any Kind of Stress
This wonderful Bach flower remedy can be found at your local health food store. Take 4 drops orally or put 4 drops in spring water and sip on it all day. Rescue Remedy relieves acute stress of all types -- mental, emotional and physical. This is a handy remedy to keep with you at all times.

Arnica 30x Homeopathic Remedy
For healing bruises and other soft-tissue injuries. Take the recommended dosage if you sustain this kind of injury. Arnica is available in most health food stores.

Blue-Green Algae for Energy
For a steady source of energy and immune support. While sugar and caffeine provide temporary sources of energy, neither are permanent and both can cause you to "crash. Blue-green algae, scientifically proven to support your immune system, provides a steady source of high energy and mental clarity to help you truly enjoy the spring season.

Natural Recipe for Cuts and Scrapes
Mix spring water with acidophilus and powdered blue-green algae into a paste. Apply to open cuts and scrapes, and either bandage or allow to dry in open air as needed. This mixture supports the body's natural healing processes, and can support skin healing without damage. This mixture also works well, diluted, for poison ivy or sunburn.

Antioxidants for Stress
For detoxifying the body. Stress and over eating are 2 of the major contributors of toxins to our body, which cause us to feel tired and unwell. Fortunately, taking anti-oxidants such as wheat sprouts and coenzyme Q10 can rid the body of these toxins.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

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Getting Fit: Natural Solutions to Ease the Ouch!

Between New Year's Resolutions and spring weather, a lot of people spend the first part of any new year thinking about getting fit. Sadly, statistics show that by February 1st of any given year 92% of people are no longer engaged in their New Year's Resolutions! And weight loss--thus, getting fit--tops the list of resolutions.

Luckily, spring weather usually offers people a second opportunity to think about getting fit. The thought of how one will look in summer clothes (think bikini and swimming trunks) gets people motivated all over again.

I know this happened with me! The spring weather had me out mowing the lawn, weeding, moving hoses... and panting like the last horse in the race! So, having been in the Marines in my youth, I decided to set myself up for a self-created Boot Camp!

Boot Camp: Can You Say Ouch?
What does boot camp look like for a 76-year old man? It may not look like the Marine Boot Camp I did in my youth, but nevertheless it is rigorous. In addition to the yard work inspired by spring, my Boot Camp involves:

• daily workouts on my Total Gym
• weight lifting with free weights every other day
• full yoga program on days with no weight-lifting
• light yoga daily

I had my wife measure my body before I began. I then set out to follow my program intensely and fully for two weeks. I decided two weeks was the optimum time to see whether the Boot Camp was the correct level of intensity.

The first three days, my mind was filled with this question: What was I thinking?

Yeah, can you say ouch? I expected there to be plenty of muscular soreness, but thought that I could alleviate that with the yoga. Unfortunately, I forgot that when you have not done a full yoga program for a while, that even the resting poses (such as down dog) don't feel restful at all!

Natural Solutions That Help
Luckily, being a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and a life-long student of health and nutrition, I was able to dig through my cabinet of natural solutions and come up with some supplements that would support my body as I went through my self-created Boot Camp.

Liver Support: Since the liver governs tendons, ligaments, and muscles, I added a gentle liver support supplement to my daily regimen.

More Stretching: I realized that my full yoga program was a bit much to do every other day, as some of the poses (such as the full regimen of Sun Salutations) were straining certain muscles and tendons/ligaments that were already tired. I replaced one of the days of full yoga with a gentler stretching program.

More Sleep: Never one to sleep a great deal, I have discovered that sleep is a wonderful natural solution for helping the body recover and recoup energies expended through extensive exercise.

Cellular Support: Since my Boot Camp was asking my body to build a bunch of "new" muscles and enhance my current body structure, I also decided to add a natural supplement to boost stem cell production.

The results? At the end of two weeks, with the addition of the above-mentioned natural solutions, I am ready to expand my Boot Camp regimen. I am excited that at age 76 I am able to do these physical exercises. No, I can't do pushups Marine-style anymore... but hey, at least I CAN do pushups. I am thrilled!

How about you? How are you going to renew, refresh, and rejuvenate your body this year for health and happiness?

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.


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What is Indigestion and How to Avoid the Embarrassment and Discomfort

What is indigestion, really? Well, if you want the medical definition, here's what WebMD has to say about the topic:

"... indigestion is a term used to describe a feeling of fullness or discomfort during or after a meal."

What is Indigestion in Your Terms?
If you want to translate that into layman's terms, just think of symptoms like gas, stomach bloating, constipation, diarrhea, burping and acid reflux, and a general sense of discomfort in your digestive tract. You know the feeling ...

What's worse than the feeling of indigestion, which is bad enough, is suffering through indigestion in public. Whether you are at a dinner party or simply suffering from gas at the office after a "gut bomb" lunch, indigestion can range from uncomfortable to downright embarrassing! Luckily, there are quite a few common sense steps you can take to relieve those icky indigestion symptoms, such as stomach bloating.

Let's take a look at each symptom and see if we can't figure out the answer to the question, "What is indigestion?" in each case.

Stomach Bloating
Stomach bloating is really a sign that your stomach isn't properly digesting the food you just ate. As a result, instead of your lunch being properly digested and pushed through to the next stage of digestion, the food just sits in your stomach ... rotting, really, and generating a lot of uncomfortable gas that causes the bloating. Acid reflux and burping usually also originate from the stomach, and like stomach bloating, are a sign that the food in your stomach isn't headed in the right direction.

What can you do to "speed things along"? Some people have low stomach acid, believe it or not, and need to take supplemental Betaine HCL (available at your local health food store). Others need additional enzymes. Read how enzymes can help with stomach bloating problems during the digestive process.

Constipation
At the other end of the digestive system, there is constipation, or the inability to have regular bowel movements. Constipation can make you feel full and uncomfortable all the time, and is a signal that you have too little water in your digestive tract. Too little liquid in the digestive tract means that partially digested food gets stuck, unable to exit your digestive system. There are multiple natural solutions for constipation. Read this article for more details and simple solutions.

Diarrhea
The opposite of constipation is diarrhea, in which the digestive tract has too much liquid and bowels are runny. This condition could have you running for the bathroom often (and praying all the way that you don't have an accident). As with constipation, diarrhea is an indicator that your digestive tract is out of balance. Similarly, you can also use simple natural solutions to relieve this symptom of indigestion. Check out the details here.

Gas
Now if there is one symptom of indigestion that is truly embarrassing, it's gas. Not only is intestinal gas smelly, but if you are unable to pass gas you feel very uncomfortable. Either way, digestive gas is a complication that you definitely want to avoid. Read this article to find out how to avoid gas and how to cope with gas if you've got it!

Hopefully you now have a better idea of the answer to the question, "What is indigestion?" More importantly, the natural solutions suggested above should help you avoid the embarrassment of coping with the symptoms of poor digestion, like stomach bloating, gas, constipation and others. None of these solutions is difficult to implement or expensive ... you just have to be prepared!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.


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Do I Have the Flu or Do I Have a Cold? It Matters How You Treat It

A lot of people confuse colds and flus, which may not matter if you treat both with natural solutions that support your immune system. However, if you have the flu and you treat it like a bacteria-based cold with allopathic (or Western) medicine, you can expect to feel worse rather than better. Before we dive into the topic of why this occurs, just take a quick look at the difference between colds and flus:

There are several major symptoms that indicate you probably have the flu. These include:

• fever
• muscles aches and soreness
• rapid onset of symptoms
• severe symptoms
• overall fatigue that lasts for one to three weeks

Symptoms that are unique to colds include:

• often starts with a sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose without fever or fatigue
• milder symptoms
• slower onset of symptoms
• few lingering side effects once major symptoms have resolved

For more on the difference between colds and flus, check out this article.

Do I Have the Flu or Do I Have a Cold? Treat the Right Condition
Treating for the flu or cold gets complicated when it comes to Western medicine. Why? Because both colds and flus can come from viruses, while certain colds can be bacterial in nature. It just depends. The tricky part is if you think that you have a bacteria-based cold and treat it with antibiotics, you may think you will get better. However, if you have a virally-caused cold or flu, the antibiotics are only going to make you feel worse. Why? Because viruses do not respond to antibiotics. The antibiotics will not harm the virus causing your discomfort, but they will kill off most if not all of the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut, such as acidophilus and bifidus. This is bad news because 70% of our immunity comes from these beneficial bacteria (also known as probiotics). Kill these off, and the virus that is causing you to feel crummy has a free license to run rampant in your body.

The better solution may be to support your body's natural immune response with natural solutions. In addition to getting enough rest, hydration, and chicken soup, you can also add supplemental probiotics into your regimen. For more natural solutions on supporting your body's immune response to colds and flus, read this article.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

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5-Minute Methods to De-Stress Your Way to a Healthy Lifestyle

Yeah, yeah ... we know. You have a crazy life and your smart phone schedule gives you exactly 5 minutes of "blank space" to de-stress your life. And yet, you want to live a healthy lifestyle, too, because you know stress has a seriously negative effect on your immune system, digestive health, and just about every other part of your body, mind, and soul.

So what do you do?

Simple ... read on! Follow these proven 5-minute methods to de-stress your way to a healthy lifestyle. You've got 5 minutes to de-stress, and we've got natural solutions for you that really do work!

Healthy Lifestyle Tips That Really Do Work in 5 Minutes
You'll be surprised at these simple 5-minute fixes that really can get you back on track for a healthy lifestyle, no matter how stressful your life is on a daily basis. These natural solutions have been tested by some of the most stressed and busiest people we know, so we know these approaches work. All you have to do to de-stress is try one or all of these approaches in that tiny open slot in your schedule. Ready? Let's go!

Healthy Lifestyle Tip #1: Active Meditation
A lot of busy and stressed people object to meditation for two reasons. First, slowing down is difficult for people who are busy and have very active minds. Second, many stressed people actually fall asleep during meditation, and find they awaken from such "naps" groggier than ever. Deepak Chopra and other meditation experts don't object to falling asleep during meditation, since they claim that people who fall asleep during meditation really need the rest. However, if your goal is to stay active and alert, falling asleep during your 5-minute meditation isn't really going to help you reach your goals.

Instead of a sitting meditation, try an active meditation. For instance, try a 5-minute power walk. On the first 2 1/2 minutes of the walk, you get to ask questions, talk to your guides or angels or higher powers and beings. Whatever you call the "higher force" in your life, connect with that force on the outbound part of your walk. Talk about your goals, ask for help, discuss your worries ... whatever you want. Then, on the way back (again, just 2 1/2 minutes), you get to listen. Listen for messages, look for signs from higher powers and beings, or just allow a sense of peace to enter your being. When you get back to your starting point, voila! You have completed your active meditation, and completed a natural solution for de-stressing your life. Try it ... many people tell us this form of meditation works very well!

Healthy Lifestyle Tip #2: Eat 10% Less
Here's an equation to ponder:

Digestion takes a ton of energy, and your brain is the most energy-hungry organ in your body.

So what does this mean to you, as a super-stressed and super-busy person? It means that if you tend to over-eat, even just a bit, then you are taking energy away from your brain and sending it straight to your stomach. Cultures known for long-lived people have long histories of eating light. So if you eat less, you'll not only live longer but you'll have a sharper brain as well! You will also have a lot less stress.

If you tend to overeat or even just indulge a bit too much in junk food, then cutting back your food intake by 10% can reduce the amount of energy your body spends on digestion. If you already eat the right amount of food for your height and weight, then try substituting 10% of your junk food intake with healthy foods. It's not that difficult to adjust your diet by just 10%, right? Plus, this healthy lifestyle adjustment won't take more than 5 minutes. In fact, just skipping that candy bar will SAVE you more than 5 minutes!

Healthy Lifestyle Tip #3: Get Enough Sleep
Lots of super-busy people don't get enough sleep because they can't turn off their brains and bodies at night. Research shows that people who don't have enough sleep tend to stress and worry more than people who do get enough sleep. So, if you take just a few minutes to prepare yourself for sleep, you'll tend to sleep better, which means you will wake up refreshed ... and voila! Less stress. Now we know that 8 hours of sleep is more than a 5-minute fix, but preparing yourself for a good night's sleep can be just a 5-minute fix. Check out these tips for ways to get a better night's sleep: http://bit.ly/13H9SlE

Most of all, take the time--just 5 minutes--to live a healthy lifestyle even during your super-busy day. You will appreciate that investment in your health later in life (no matter your current age or lifestyle)!


 
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

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What Causes Allergy in Spring and How to Avoid Feeling Muddled

When spring springs forth, do you enjoy the beautiful flowers or do you wonder, "What causes allergy?" because you are so tired of all the sneezing, runny eyes, runny nose ...?

If those symptoms match what happens to you every spring, then you suffer from seasonal allergies, what is commonly called "hay fever." If you have hay fever, you are not alone. Did you know that 35 million Americans get hay fever every spring? That's a lot of runny noses and muddled brains. Luckily, you don't have to spend this spring in misery. In this article we offer three simple natural solutions that address the causes of allergy.

What Causes Allergy in Your Body During the Spring?
What causes allergy during the spring is pollen--those tiny grains that plants like trees and grasses release by the trillions. For many people, pollen isn't a big deal, but for people with hay fever, pollen causes a major immune overreaction. If you have hay fever, when pollen enters your nasal passages or lungs, your body mistakenly believes that the pollen is a foreign invader (normally bacteria and viruses) and goes on the attack. Your body releases antibodies to attack the pollen, and in the process, chemicals called histamines are released into the bloodstream. Histamines are responsible for hay fever symptoms, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and other symptoms of allergies.

Digestively, something else happens to your body when you suffer from allergies. Specifically, when you have an allergic reaction, your body releases an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Research indicates that the levels of the good bacteria that live in your gut, called probiotics, can affect how much IgE your body produces, and how severe your allergy symptoms.

3 Natural Solutions That Address the Causes of Allergy
Now that you know what happens inside your body that causes all those miserable allergy symptoms, let's take a look at some natural solutions that actually address the causes of allergy.

Natural Solution #1: Eat Well
Research indicates that what you eat can really affect how badly hay fever will affect you. For instance, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can support your body's immune response so that it doesn't go overboard in response to pollen. Fresh fruits and vitamins provide plenty of vitamins (such as C and D) and antioxidants to help your body distinguish the real foreign invaders (bacteria and viruses) from pollen. In addition, drinking clear soups can help thin mucous and clear nasal passages. While we can't detail a full menu plan in an article of this length, just know that if you skip the "gut bombs" and eat fresh and healthy meals, your body will thank you. In turn, you will feel less muddled by hay fever symptoms!

Natural Solution #2: Take Acidophilus and Enzymes
Studies show that having a healthy population of acidophilus in your small intestine can reduce the amount of IgE that your body produces in response to pollen. Participants who took extra acidophilus during spring allergy season showed lower levels of IgE in blood tests. In addition, taking supplemental enzymes between meals can support your body's immune response. It turns out that your body uses the extra enzymes to englobe and remove pollen grains from your system, reducing the amount of overreaction from your body's native immune system.

Natural Solution #3: Add Antioxidants and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Medical and dietary experts indicate that foods high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help ease inflammation that are the result of hay fever. Both of these nutrients can be found in colored fruits, leafy greens, AFA blue-green algae, deep water fish, and nuts and seeds. Again, all of these foods are found in a healthy diet plan. If you are "on the run" and don't have time to cook and eat healthy, try taking AFA blue-green algae or fruits and veggies in a capsule. Both can support your body's immune system and general health.

The good news about these natural solutions is that they not only support your body so that you don't get so muddled during allergy season, but these solutions are also good for heart health and overall immune health. That's a pretty good return for a few natural solutions that are simple to integrate into your life, right?

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

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Problems Sleeping? Turn Off That Blue Light and 5 Other Natural Solutions

Did you know that more than 60% of Americans report having problems sleeping (according to the Sleep Foundation)? Add to that the fact that at least 25% of people in the US take some form of sleep medication, and most still don't get enough sleep (6 hours or less).


 
All of these problems sleeping are not good for us, especially since sleep deprivation can result in:

• 32% decrease in daytime alertness
• poor memory and cognitive function
• poor quality of life
• stress in relationships
• auto accidents--100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Yowza! Luckily, if you have problems sleeping there are natural solutions that can help you get the eight or more hours of beauty sleep that your body really needs to rest, rejuvenate, and recover each night!

Natural Solutions for People Who Have Problems Sleeping
So get this: blue light, such as the kind from smart phones or PDAs, have been shown by research to interfere with natural sleep. Of course, other types of light don't help, either, but in our modern society blue light is a big-time culprit when it comes to sleep problems. One way to get a better night's sleep is to turn off all electronic devices that emit a blue light (don't forget the television), and cover any electronics that you can't turn off. In addition, we have five other natural solutions that can help you get a better night's sleep!

Tip #1: Take Short Naps
Many people take naps when they hit that afternoon slump. However, research shows that naps can definitely interfere with sleep during the night. If you must nap, take a short 20 minute power snooze in your chair rather than going down for several hours. This may relieve your problems with sleeping at night. Better yet, instead of napping, go out for a brisk walk around the block or chat with a co-worker for 20 minutes or so to get yourself motivated again.

Tip #2: Take Bifidus at Night
Bifidus (also called Bifidobacterium) is one the friendly forms of bacteria that live in your large intestine. This form of bacteria not only helps you with digestion, but also produces the calming and soothing B-vitamins that can help you relax and wind down at night. Bifidus is one of the biggest sources of immunity during a child's first two years of life. It's no wonder that it is present in mother's milk as well as in the birth canal during birth. On a mental-emotional level, Bifidus is linked with feelings of self-esteem, as well as feeling supported and nurtured in life. All of these factors combined make bifidus a perfect natural solution for those who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Tip #3: Create Your Own Bedtime Ritual
Routine can make a huge difference when it comes to sleeping through the night. One of the ways to create routine around sleep is to come up with your own bedtime ritual. Whether you take a warm bath with aromatherapy oils, read something soothing, meditate, or drink a warm glass of milk, taking the time to intentionally create calm and peace before you go to bed will help you sleep better at night. If your mind just won't stop at night, some experts suggest writing down all your worries and jotting quick solutions or ideas next to each worry. Promise yourself that you will return to these thorny life issues tomorrow, and then go to bed with the full intention of sleeping deeply and waking refreshed. Your intention has a lot to do with how well you conquer your problems sleeping at night.

Tip #4: Skip That Heavy Meal
One mistake that many Americans make at night is eating a heavy meal right before bed. Digestion requires a lot of energy, and can definitely interfere with sleep. Not only will a heavy meal keep your body awake and working, you may also suffer from symptoms of indigestion like acid reflux, stomach discomfort, gas, or bloating. Instead, focus on eating a light and healthy dinner at least one hour before bed. To assist your body with digestion, you may also want to supplement your meal with extra enzymes. Extra enzymes reduce the workload on your digestive system, ensuring a good night's sleep.

Tip #5: Stay Out of Bed Except for Sleep or Sex
Some of the people who have the worst problems sleeping have the bad habit of bringing all kinds of activities to bed other than sleep or sex. For instance, many people watch TV in bed, work in bed, read in bed, work on the computer in bed, or talk on the phone in bed. All of these activities "program" your body to be active while in bed when what you really want to do is rest and unwind in bed (or have a good snuggle). To get a better night's sleep, reserve the bed for just two activities, and do everything else in your living room, den, office, or family room!

Try these simple lifestyle changes and see if they don't help you get a better night's beauty rest! These tips are simple, relaxing, and can help you better unwind from a stressful day!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.  

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Are You Ready for Better Energy? 7 Natural Solutions for Better Daily Energy

Did you know that Americans are among the most sleep-deprived people in the world, which means that almost every adult in this country could use better energy! The bad news is that most Americans turn to coffee and energy drinks to get going in the morning, and then need sleep medications to slow down at night. This continuous cycle of uppers and downers confuses the body, not to mention stressing internal organs such as the liver and kidneys.

The good news is that there are many natural solutions for improving your daily energy, and all of them are simple--even for the busiest of people! If you want better energy and you want to avoid drinking an entire pot of coffee to keep you going all day, read on. We offer 7 natural solutions that are daily energy boosters. Follow these tips and learn how to improve energy naturally, in tune with your body's natural rhythms.

7 Natural Solutions for Better Daily Energy
You may be surprised at the simplicity of these tips for how to improve energy. They include the foods you eat, the amount of sunshine you get, various ways to get your body moving, plus simple supplements that go a long way toward supporting your body's natural energy production. Ready for simple natural solutions for better energy that really work? Then read on, McDuff!

#1 Better Energy Through Diet
You are most likely familiar with the energy boost that you get from sugar or caffeine ... grabbing a candy bar is so simple when you hit that energy lull around 3 pm. More than likely, you are also familiar with the "crash and burn" that comes an hour or two later, when the sugar has worked its way through your system, and fatigue returns with a vengeance. Not good. Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee or a sweet roll, look for foods that keep your blood sugar steady and signal your brain to produce good-mood chemicals. For instance, whole grains such as brown rice and whole wheat bread will feed your body over a long period of time. Plus, studies show that whole grains increase the production of "feel good" brain chemical serotonin. Cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts--all high in magnesium--play an active role in converting sugars into energy ... without a sugar crash later!

#2 Suck It Up -- On Cinnamon, That Is
Few people know about the many health benefits of cinnamon. Studies have actually shown that taking a whiff of cinnamon can make you feel more alert and increase your daily energy levels. Sucking on a cinnamon stick produces similar results. As a bonus, cinnamon has natural health-protective properties. If you don't have any cinnamon handy, suck on a peppermint candy instead. Peppermint has similar fatigue-fighting properties.

#3 Get Enough Sunshine
Want to know how to improve your energy in 10 minutes or less? Simple. Take a walk on a sunny day. Research shows that exposure to sunshine does everything from enhancing mood, memory, and even self-esteem. This is because exposure to sunlight increases the production of endorphins and serotonin in the brain. Getting enough sunshine is a simple natural solution for those who live in sunny states. If, on the other hand, you live in a state with fewer sunny days, you can still get enough sunshine into your system ... and just as easily. Just add foods rich in chlorophyll to your diet. Chlorophyll is that substance that captures sunlight and converts it to usable sugars and foods. Dark leafy greens are great sources of chlorophyll. AFA blue-green algae is also excellent, since this form of algae also increases the production of mood-elevating substances in the brain, including typtophan, endorphins, serotonin, and PEA. AFA blue-green algae is literally like sunshine in a capsule ... how neat is that?

#4 Sniff Some Good Stuff -- Aromatherapy as a Way to Better Energy
Just as sucking on a cinnamon stick can boost your daily energy, sniffing certain aromas can give you an energy boost. For better energy any time of the day, consider sniffing essential oils such as grapefruit, peppermint, or lime. These have been shown to have the effect of making you more alert for a certain period of time.

#5 Eat Light to Be Bright
One of the biggest "sins" when it comes to how to have better energy is to gorge yourself at lunch! Digestion takes a lot of energy, and if you eat a huge lunch you can expect to feel sleepy an hour or two afterwards. One natural solution for better energy is to eat a good breakfast, a lighter lunch, and an even lighter dinner. Research shows that people who eat less and follow this schedule of eating are healthier and live longer. To give your body additional support in the digestive process, take one to two capsules of enzymes with each meal. Enzymes help your body break down foods more quickly and efficiently, so your body doesn't have to work quite as hard to process your lunch!

#6 Have Some Chocolate -- In Moderation, Of Course!
Yup, that's right ... we said chocolate. Studies show that chocolate can give you better energy because it is a mild stimulant. Chocolate also has other health benefits, such as lowering cardiovascular risks and boosting your memory. But don't go crazy with the hot chocolate with the little marshmallows ... that will only result in a sugar crash later in the day. Instead, try mixing up a cup of unsweetened cocoa with stevia (as a sweetener) and skim milk (for protein). This healthy recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth, give you better energy, and help you avoid a sugar crash later.

#7 Stretch Yourself
Whether you sit behind a desk all day or do heavy manual labor, chances are that your muscles don't get enough stretching. Even those who have a very active physical lifestyle often neglect stretching their muscles. If you have been sitting in one position for long periods of time, a gentle 10-minute stretching routine will re-invigorate fatigued muscles, increase circulation, and bring oxygen to those muscles. For those who engage in heavy manual labor, stretching elongates muscles shortened by heavy labor. Either way, the increased circulation and oxygenation from stretching is one of the best ways to have better energy. Stretch multiple times per day to increase the benefits of this natural solution to daily energy.

Pick One Solution or Pick 'Em All
As you can tell, none of these natural solutions to better daily energy is difficult. In fact, they are downright simple, not to mention sheer common sense. So if you are one of those sleep-deprived Americans (and chances are you are!) then choose one of the solutions above for better energy ... or pick 'em all. Making simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference in the amount of daily energy you have. When you consider the above tips, how to improve energy is literally a "no-brainer"!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.  

Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/sherifjohan/

Your Immune System: 5 Natural Solutions to Avoid Catching Every Cold and Flu This Season

If you haven't thought about your immune system this year, you might want to. Why? Because the U.S. is being hit hard by the flu this year according to the Centers for Disease Control (http://on.webmd.com/WgniPB). As of the first week of January, 47 states reported widespread flu activity, and Northeastern states have seen a flood of patients in the emergency room with flu-type symptoms. And those statistics don't even consider the common cold!

Yuck! No one likes suffering through the symptoms of the cold or flu. Luckily, you can take steps to strengthen your immune system so that you don't catch every cold or flu making the rounds. Check out these 5 simple natural solutions that can boost your immunity ... and generally keep you healthier and happier!

5 Natural Solutions to Strengthen Your Immune System
Notice that these tips for strengthening your immune system are "natural solutions." The reason we focus on solutions that work with your body's natural immune responses is because this approach can help you avoid colds and flus rather than trying to quell symptoms after you get sick. In addition, research now shows that the use of antibiotics to treat colds and flus is not only ineffective (since colds and flus are viral and antibiotics only help with illnesses caused by bacteria) but can actually cause future resistance to antibiotics (http://on.webmd.com/UhiKeO). So focus on prevention rather than easing symptoms after you catch a cold or flu.

#1 - Help Your Immune System by Cutting Down on Smoking and Drinking
Did you know that heavy smokers catch colds more often, and suffer more severe symptoms? What's worse, even hanging around a smoker can reduce your immunity. Smoke paralyzes the delicate hairs (cilia) that line the mucous membranes in your nose and lungs. These hairs "wave around" as you breathe, and literally "sweep" cold and flu viruses out of your body. Experts estimate that the smoke from a single cigarette can paralyze these cilia hairs in your body for as long as 30 to 40 minutes! So don't smoke and avoid smokers.

Similarly, avoid heavy drinking, which can suppress the immune system. Studies show that heavy drinkers are more likely to develop both initial symptoms of colds and flus, plus secondary complications. In addition, alcohol consumption dehydrates your body, increasing your chances of catching a cold or flu.

#2 - Boost Your Immune System with Natural Supplements
If you know that you are going to be stressed or in contact with people who have a cold or the flu, you can strengthen your immune system by adding a few natural supplements to your daily regimen. For instance, instead of taking antibiotics, take probiotics. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that live in your gut, and are a first line of defense against illnesses of all kinds. Acidophilus is one of the most important forms of probiotics because it produces B-vitamins and acidophilin for immune system support. In fact, you can take acidophilus to support your immune system so you don't get sick, or take acidophilus if you do end up with a cold or flu. We have found that taking therapeutic doses of acidophilus during an illness can help support the immune system so the body can more easily recover.

Another useful supplement is one made from  WGP beta glucan, an ingredient found in baker's yeast. This specially processed supplement has been shown to support the production and activity of beneficial white blood cells. Overall, WGP beta glucan also provides generalized immune support.

#3 - Get a Pet
No kidding. Pets can be good for your health! Studies show that having a pet can provide multiple health benefits, including supporting your immune system, reducing blood pressure, improving heart health, and even reducing cholesterol levels. Pets can provide companionship, exercise, and loving attention through their presence ... and your body will respond!

#4 - Add Antioxidant Foods to Your Diet
Antioxidants are those molecular substances that your body needs to protect your cells from damage, which in turn supports your immune system. To ensure that you get enough antioxidants, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables of multiple colors. For instance, mix the following into your diet: dark leafy greens, oranges and lemons, berries of all kinds, broccoli, red peppers, and papayas. Can't slow down to make a salad or smoothie? No worries ... try these fruits and veggies in a capsule!

#5 - Sweat, Hydrate, and then Relax!
You probably already know the immune benefits of exercise and hydration, but they still bear mentioning here. Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, increases circulation and oxygenation in your body, both of which can support and strengthen your immune system. Studies also show that aerobic exercise increases the number of virus-killing cells in your body, which reduces your chances of catching a cold or the flu.

Drinking plenty of water helps your body flush toxins, plus keeps your circulation going at top efficiency. Be sure to replace all the water you sweat away during exercise.

Finally, relax and reduce stress as much as possible to strengthen your immune system. Studies indicate that people who consciously relax, whether through meditation or other methods, have a better immune response. When the body relaxes, interleukins (a first-line response against cold and flu viruses) increase in the bloodstream. So train yourself to relax on a regular basis ... and we do mean relax because people who are just bored rather than relaxed don't get the same beneficial change in their blood chemicals!

So there you have it ... 5 simple natural solutions to strengthen your immune system. Doesn't sound too difficult, right? For instance, if you already have a dog, how difficult is it to take a few moments to pet your pet? Or eat a piece of fruit? Or go for a walk? It's all about slowing down and thinking about your actions before you get sick.

An ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure!



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Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/missykelly111/shadow-effect/

How to Strengthen Your Immune System: 3 Things You Can Do Right Now

Tired of being sick and tired? Want to know how to strengthen your immune system? You are NOT alone! For some reason it seems like more people have been sicker more frequently this winter season than in seasons past. No doubt we have been living in times of high stress, which is why knowing how to strengthen your immune system in simple ways is more important than ever.

One thing medical experts know is this: stress compromises the immune system!

So what we won't do in this article is overwhelm you with too many complicated tips on how to boost your immune system ... after all, that might stress you out! In fact, we want to do just the opposite. We want to give you simple tips that you can do RIGHT NOW to strengthen your immune system. So we offer you just 3 really simple tips that you can use immediately to improve your immune response. Not only should that put your mind at ease, but it should also reduce your level of stress, which will increase your immunity ... and so on in a truly positive upward spiral of health!

Tip #1: Call a Friend to Boost Immunity
You might think we are kidding, but the truth of the matter is that socially active people have much stronger immunity than those who are alone or who feel isolated. Consider this little tidbit from the medical experts:

"Several studies support the idea that people who feel connected to friends � whether it's a few close friends or a large group � have stronger immunity than those who feel alone. In one study, freshmen who were lonely had a weaker immune response to a flu vaccine than those who felt connected to others." (http://on.webmd.com/W8CTPV)

So if you are feeling weak, tired, stressed, compromised, and low, don't get sick! Instead, strengthen your immunity by picking up the phone and calling a friend. Or, call up multiple friends and organize a "Girl's Night Out" or a "Guy's Night In" ... whatever floats your boat. The goal is to reach out and touch somebody (as AT&T would say), while at the same time feeling touched, loved, involved, connected, social, and, in short, a human being whose human needs are being met. That's one of the healthiest things we can do for our immunity and ourselves.

Tip #2: Take a Walk or Take a Nap
This tip for strengthening your immune system is an "either-or" tip because you can't always take a nap, but chances are that you can take a walk, even if it's just a short jaunt around your office building! Studies show that both exercise and sleep can play an important role in boosting the immune system. Fatigue can reduce your immune response. In fact, one study done at the University of Chicago demonstrated how lack of sleep can affect immunity. Subjects in the study were allowed only 4 hours of sleep for 6 nights, and then given a flu shot. These exhausted subjects produced only 1/2 the anticipated number of antibodies in response to the flu shot. So sleep IS important. Take a nap ... you're not being lazy, you are doing something that is both good and good for your.

Then there's exercise. Exercise does a huge amount for your immune response. For instance, increasing your heart rate for just 20 minutes per time 3 days per week raises your immunity, while taking a brisk walk 5 days a week can reduce your risk of catching a cold. Exercise also increases your body's production of endorphons (the feel-good hormone in runner's high) as well as leukocytes, the cells that fight infection in your body. So while the weather may be a bit chilly, taking that walk can do a lot. Plus, and this is a good one, studies show that exposure to cold will not give you a cold ... read about the studies here.

Tip #3: Suck Down Supplements
What do you do when you don't have time to get social, take a walk, or take a nap? That's when you reach into your desk drawer and pull out some natural supplements that have been proven to boost your immunity right away. What kind of supplements do we mean? There are two kinds that have been shown to be most effective: probiotics (especially acidophilus) and supplements containing WGP beta glucan. The word "probiotics" literally means "for life." In reality, probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that naturally live in your gut, and are among your body's first line of defense against foreign invaders and pathogens. In fact, probitoics are Nature's antibiotics.

Since probiotics can be destroyed by stress, chlorinated water, caffeine, alcohol, and other environmental pollutants, if you feel on the brink of a cold or flu, chances are that your body is lacking in probiotics. The best probiotic to take is acidophilus. To strengthen your immune system, take between 5-10 acidophilus with non-chlorinated water every 4-8 hours. This will replenish the beneficial bacteria in your system, which in turn gives your body the arsenal it needs to boost its immune response.

The other useful supplement is one that has WGP beta glucan, a specially-processed product found in baker's yeast. Many studies have been conducted on WGP beta glucan at such prestigious research institutions as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University These studies have proven WGP beta glucan's ability to activate macrophages, a type of white blood cell that is the body's first line of defense. Macrophages circulate throughout the body engulfing and digesting foreign antigens, thus triggering a cascading effect that mobilizes the body's arsenal of defenses. The result is a stronger immune system. In short, this supplement supports the production and activity of beneficial white blood cells.

So if you can't walk, nap, or get social, suck down some acidophilus and this supplement with WGP beta glucan. This will strengthen your immune system and keep you on your feet. Plus, taking these natural supplements IS something that you can do right now, easy as pie, to boost your body's immunity. It doesn't get much simpler than that!


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Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/drweil/exercise/

Belly Fat: What You May Not Know plus Natural Solutions

There is more to be concerned about with belly fat than just how it looks on you. While it is true that your body needs some fat, it is also true that having too much of the fat we can see often means there is more of the fat we can't see. That is not good news for your health. The fat we can see, subcutaneous fat, accumulates just under the skin usually in the buttocks, hips, thighs, and abdominal areas. There is another kind of fat, visceral fat, that is around your vital organs such as liver, heart, lungs and digestive tract. This fat cushions the organs, but too much of it can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer and other health conditions.

Body Shape
Since the amount of belly fat can be an indication of how much visceral fat you have, take a look at your body shape. Having what is called a "pear" shaped body is better than having what is called an "apple" shape. The apple shape means that you have a bigger waistline with a round belly and the fat has settled there. If you have a pear shape then the fat has settled more in your thigh and buttocks areas. Having more fat in the abdomen area can be an indication of more visceral fat. Genetics can play a role in the propensity to store visceral fat, but physical activity also plays a role. So for those of us that are apple shapes it means it's time to get serious about getting a physical exercise plan going and making changes in the types of foods we eat.

How to Control Belly Fat
Belly fat breaks down into fatty acids, which goes into the liver and muscles. When this happens, more 'bad' cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides result. This causes insulin to be less effective in controlling blood sugar, and results in insulin resistance. Blood sugar then can be out of balance and fat and clots appear in the bloodstream. Watching your intake of sugar and processed carbohydrates is therefore important in your diet. Eliminating processed foods from the diet and moving to eating whole foods, mostly plant based, rich in enzymes and antioxidants, and not overeating can go a long way to controlling belly fat. The main ways to get a grip on your belly fat are through diet, exercise, enough quality sleep and managing stress.

Belly fat is also caused by undigested food sitting there because your body doesn't have enough enzymes to digest it. This can be due to the type of calories we are ingesting, like carbs and fat, or to the way we eat meals. If we allow ourselves to get hungry, our bodies go into starvation mode and hoard the calories. This causes a feeling of being deprived and craving comfort foods which are not usually the healthiest foods. Eating more, smaller meals throughout the day allows us to avoid this state and avoid the cravings for unhealthy foods. A healthy snack alternative for a small meal is a bar fortified with sprouted grains, greens, and blue green algae that provides a complete protein and all essential amino acids source.

Nutritional Support to Control Belly Fat

• Fiber in the diet helps keep the visceral fat from building up. Proteins and fiber are less likely to be converted to fat storage as the body is able to eliminate any of those it can't digest.
   
• Avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates or calories that come from fat. Your body can only easily digest a certain amount of carbohydrates before it then converts those carbs to fat to store away.
   
• Adding a soy based smoothie drink to your diet gives you a protein alternative as a snack to help you stay away from fatty foods and satisfies hunger to combat overeating.
   
• Eat more protein and fewer carbs. The kind of protein that you eat can make a difference too. Studies have shown that eating dairy protein can result in loss of belly fat while at the same time gaining muscle. Another source of high quality protein that is just as good or even better than dairy protein is AFA blue green algae. This form of microalgae has 75% usable high quality protein compared to just 18% in red meat!
   
• Enzymes are required to properly digest food, and when we don't have enough enzymes, the food we eat literally rots in our guts, adding to weight gain and the appearance of a beer belly. 

Enzymes to Control Belly Fat
Cooked foods don't have enzymes because high temperatures literally kill the enzymes naturally found in foods. Canned foods also lack enzymes and often over-stimulate the endocrine system. One study found that laboratory rats fed a diet of processed and enzyme-less protein, fats, and carbohydrates increased their percentage of body fat (V. Korenchevsky, "Pathology and Bacteriology").

Proper diet that has plenty of enzymes plus the raw materials the body needs to stay healthy (vitamins, minerals, trace-minerals, and antioxidants) does more to help weight loss than any diet plan. To practice enzyme therapy for weight loss, you need to start with a high-quality enzyme source that preferably contains mycopepsin, an enzyme that works well even in the very acidic environment of the stomach.

Water to Control Belly Fat
Another way to fight belly fat is to build lean muscle because muscle burns more calories than fat does and increases your metabolism which in turn burns fat away. One way to increase your metabolism to burn fat is by drinking enough water. Increasing metabolism to burn fat is the job of your liver. The liver however also takes over some of the jobs your kidneys should be doing and can't if the kidneys don't have enough water. That in turns slows the liver down from converting stored fat into energy. The average person needs to drink about 2 quarts of water a day. This of course should not be all at one time, but rather spread out throughout the day so as to not overtax the kidneys.

Belly Fat: The Bottom Line
The amount of belly fat you have can be an indication of the amount of visceral fat you have which can lead to numerous serious health conditions. Losing weight and ridding yourself of the belly fat through diet, sleep, stress management and exercise can lead to not only a better looking and feeling you, but also a healthier you.

Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/nbcnews/health-and-food/

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Got Gas? Natural Solutions to Avoid It!

We all have gas and a certain amount after eating is completely normal. It is also normal for the body to release the gas. This is done either through belching or farting. On average, adults fart about 16 times a day. Each fart equals about � liter of gas or more than 2 cups of �shared air�. A fart is a mix of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane and hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide is what causes the unpleasant odor sometimes associated with �passing gas�.

Gas created by swallowed air, such as when drinking soda, usually is released through belching. One of the most common causes of farting is poor digestion. Bacteria in our intestinal tract turns undigested sugars into gas that is released by farting. Excess gas that is not released causes bloating.

Certain foods tend to produce more gas than others. This can vary for each individual and sometimes it is a combination of certain foods that produces excess gas.

Foods to Avoid to Reduce Gas

• Vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and onions and beans contain a sugar that is not absorbed or digested and our intestinal bacteria turns it into gas.
• Dairy products can cause excess gas, especially for people that are sensitive to lactose.
• Foods with sugar and simple carbohydrates can cause excess gas and bloating. That includes fructose, the natural sugar found in fruits, and the ever popular high fructose corn syrup found in the majority of processed foods. Foods that have fiber, sugars, and starches create gas when they are not digested and absorbed and result in being broken down in the large intestine.
• Carbonated drinks
• Artificial sweeteners or other foods with sugar alcohol

Natural Solutions to Avoid Excess Gas

• Eat slowly to avoid swallowing air.
• Avoid using straws for drinking as they lead to swallowing more air.
• Steam foods instead of boiling them.
• Avoid drinking during a meal, drink before eating instead to avoid losing stomach acid that helps break down foods.
• Supplement your diet with digestive enzymes and probiotics like acidophilus and bifidus

Supplements
Simplexity's SBG Zymes contain natural food enzymes that can help break down fats, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. It is also microblended with 25 mg of Super Blue Green Alpha Sun, adding specific vitamins and minerals that many enzymes need for optimum ability to function. For the body to get the most out of food, the intestines must be healthy. Acidophilus plays a key role in supporting the health of the small intestine. Simplexity's probiotic Bifidus creates a favorable environment for the growth of "good bacteria" in the large intestine.

For some people, chronic or painful excess gas can be a symptom of more serious conditions including Irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, peptic ulcer, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. If changes in diet and improving digestion don�t relieve painful or chronic gas, consult your health care professional to see if you have another condition and what treatment options are available. Everyone has gas, and for most of us improving the digestive system and making some dietary changes can help keep down the amount of gas in the body which means less need to belch and fart. It's that simple.

Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/nickrgreen/


If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Want to stay Slim or Even Lose Weight This Winter? Simple Natural Solutions

Winter months seem especially hard months to lose weight and are often a time we gain weight. With holiday overeating, curling up inside to stay warm and reducing our activity level, or eating our favorite comfort foods to fight off depression of shorter light hours, it's no wonder the pounds stack up. The key to lose weight is to optimize calories. The more nutritious our calorie intake the less we need to take in to satisfy the body.

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are the nutrients most food contains and each has calories. Too many calories means an increase in weight. How many calories a person needs depends on factors such as their age, height, and how physically active they are.
Men typically need between 1800 -2500 calories a day and women typically need between 1200 to 2000 calories per day. Teens need even more. A healthy diet consisting of low fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins provides the calories we need. A healthy body that is getting the nutrition it craves reduces the cravings for too many calories or those deplete of nutrients like sodas and sweets.

Diet for Weight Loss
We've all seen how diets don't work. We tend to stick with a diet for a while, see results and then watch the pounds return and oftentimes increase. With some diets the body starts to feel "starved" after a while and begins insisting that we feed it more. Other diets just become stale and limiting and we eventually drift away from them. The best diet is to stick with eating an amount of healthy nutritious foods appropriate for your age, height, physical activity level and any medical conditions you may have.

Physical Activity for Weight Loss
Another consideration when it comes to weight loss is adding how many calories we have taken in during a day and subtracting how many calories we have used up. Burning calories through physical activity or exercise is a necessary part of weight loss. If you are physically active, then you can burn off some of the calories you have eaten. Even if you don't have a regular exercise program, just finding ways to add extra movement to your day can help burn off calories. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or ride a bike whenever you can instead of driving, do your own yard work instead of hiring someone, go for a walk on your lunch break. All these types of activities can help subtract calories from your total at the end of the day.

Reduce Stress for Weight Loss
Stress is another consideration in weight loss. When we are over stressed the adrenal glands release a hormone that increases the blood sugar and allows fat to be stored. Many of us also turn to eating extra to deal with stress and the foods we often crave are high in fat, carbohydrates and sugar.

Healthy Digestive System for Weight Loss
A healthy digestive system that breaks down foods and processes the nutrients into a form the body can use is another key factor. This role primarily falls to digestive enzymes. Each of us is born with a certain supply of enzymes at birth. As we get older our internal enzyme supply is naturally depleted. One study shows that a 60 year old has 50% fewer enzymes than a 30 year old. Unless we stop the one-way-flow out of the body of enzyme energy, our digestive eliminative capacities weaken; obesity and chronic illness set in.

What can you do to stop enzyme depletion and all its symptoms? Enzyme therapy! Enzyme therapy adds enzymes back into your system faster than you deplete them, thus building up your reserve. When your body has more enzymes than it needs for just digestion, it uses the extra enzymes for healing, repair and renewal.

Natural Solutions for Winter Weight Loss
1. SUPPLEMENT NUTRTION: Supplement your diet with nutrient rich blue green algae. This can help add the nutrients your body may not be getting from foods. So many of our foods today do not have the proper nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. Simplexity Essentials are a convenient way to get the nutrients of blue green algae, enzymes providing active antioxidants that fight free-radical destruction, and acidophilus and bifidus to support digestive health.

2. DRINK: Water, that is. When it's cold outside we tend to drink less water. But to move toxins and fat out of your system your body needs plenty of pure water. One simple way to get all the water you need is to drink warm water with a little lemon or sea salt in it.

3. EAT: More often. Studies have shown that eating more often (every three hours or so) can increase metabolism and reduce body fat. Read "The 3-Hour Diet: How Low-Carb Diets Make You Fat and Timing Makes You Thin" by Jorge Cruise for great guidelines.

4. GO GREEN: Super Blue Green Alpha Sun Algae and Omega Sun Algae from Simplexity have the highest chlorophyll content of any food, and are a high source of protein. Chlorophyll is essential to helping your body stay efficient, and protein helps your body build lean muscle (which burns lots of calories).

5. ENZYMES: For a natural and healthy way to keep your metabolism high and your fat content low, add enzymes to your regimen between and at meals. Enzymes help boost your metabolism. SBG Zymes from Simplexity Health contain amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, and lactase for more efficient digestion to avoid the after-meal energy slump and contains MycoPepsin which unlike other enzymes is able to remain active in a highly acidic environment. SBG Zymes Plus contain cayenne and other substances to increase metabolism, burn fat, digest a broad spectrum of substances, and clean up waste in the body. Always take enzymes with pure, non-chlorinated water (since chlorine is one of the main culprits that depletes the body of enzymes).

6. GET CLEAN: Sometimes you just need to clean up your system to stay slim. Try a 3 to 5 day juice fast. Staying clean inside helps you stay lean outside!

So remember, balance calories in with calories out, keep to a diet of nutrient rich foods, maintain a healthy digestive system and stay physically active and you'll find a healthier, slimmer you this winter.


Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/tvtl3n/

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.

Is Your Pet Depressed? Natural Solutions

Yes there is such a thing as pet depression. Pets of all kinds can develop pet depression. Depression does not necessarily manifest in the same way for pets as for humans though.

Behaviors to Watch for Pet Depression

• lethargic behavior
• loss of appetite
• lack of motivation
• dull coat
• not showing normal activity level or showing changes in behavior
• urination or defecation "accidents" in the house

Signs of depression can sometimes be a sign that there is an underlying health concern. Get your pet examined by a veterinarian. If medical reasons are ruled out then you may very well be dealing with pet depression.

Some causes of pet depression include:

• moving to a new home
• death of a person or animal friend
• being around a lot of stress
• being in an unsuitable management program or job

If your pet is depressed some things you can do to alleviate the depression are:

• introduce another animal friend
• increase exercise
• spend extra playtime with your pet
• look for ways to reduce the stress in the pet's environment 
• keep to a normal routine
• don't feed foods with a lot of artificial preservatives and additives

Nutrition for Pet Depression
Foods with a lot of artificial preservatives and additives can create a lack of energy and cause symptoms of depression. Many of the commercial animal foods are often very low in nutrition. Did you know that many dog and cat foods contain low quality ingredients, including diseased animal meat laced with high levels of antibiotics? All pets benefit from fresh foods - it's what they would eat if they were in the wild. Even dogs and cats do well with occasional greens and salads, as well as fresh meat.

Read the label of pet food before you buy it and avoid as many of the following as possible:

•     BHA, Ethoxyquin, BHT: these are chemical preservatives
•     Low quality protein: corn, wheat, and soy are examples
•     Fats: most fats added to pet food are indigestible
•     Artificial flavors or colors
•     Corn syrup or sugar: just as bad for your pet as for you
•     Byproducts: these include animal beaks, hooves, and guts

Commercial pet foods are usually heat-processed, which means they lack enough enzymes for proper digestion. Cats, dogs, and humans all need three basics to be healthy: probiotics, food enzymes, and minerals and trace minerals. No matter what brand of food you feed your pet, you can ensure that your pet thrives by supplementing their feed with these ingredients.

    Probiotics: support the balance of natural 'friendly' bacteria present in the body of all organisms (an example is Lactobacillus acidophilus). Probiotics support a healthy immune system, coat, and teeth/gums

    Food Enzymes: help your pet digest his food by aiding in breaking down food into forms your pet can use (examples include protease, amylase, and lipase)

    Minerals and Trace Minerals: used in almost every function of the body and are more easily assimilated than synthetic minerals By adding small amounts of these natural ingredients to your pet's food, you can boost the nutrition in your pet's food no matter what brand of food you feed. APA Blend contains a variety of micronutrients, probiotics, enzymes and antioxidants in a powder form that is easy to sprinkle on your pet's food.

Good nutrition is an important step to keeping your pet healthy and reduce the risks of pet depression. Pet food nutrition doesn't have to be complicated. Just learn to read the labels, avoid foods with a lot of harmful or artificial ingredients, and supplement with probiotics, enzymes, minerals, and trace minerals as needed.


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5 Natural Solutions for Getting a Good Night's Sleep

In the equation for healthy living the recommendations usually include eating a healthy balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, exercise and getting a good night's sleep. These are general guidelines and what they mean can vary though from person to person. For example, every person needs a different amount of sleep, so what is a sufficient amount of sleep for one person may not be enough for another. You might even need different amounts of sleep on different nights depending on what's going on in your life. The quality of your sleep is also an important factor. Your quality of sleep determines how refreshed you feel when you wake up in the morning, and how much energy you have during the day.

The best way to determine how much sleep you need is to listen to your body. Pick a time when you don't have to be up at a certain time and experiment with waking up naturally instead of setting an alarm clock. See what time you wake up and how many hours you slept. Check in with how you feel with that amount of sleep, then adjust accordingly.

Sleep Deprivation and Insomnia
But what about for those who have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep. According to a study published in "USA Today" only 26% of Americans claim to get a good nights sleep only a few days a month and 24% of those surveyed claim to get a good nights sleep only a few days a week. Many sources report that Americans are sleep-deprived and lacking in daily energy. Most of those Americans reach for coffee in the morning and energy drinks in the afternoon. That of course leads to the energy crash that happens in the late afternoon or evening.

Natural Solutions To Help With Sleep
Here are some natural solutions that can help if you have insomnia or other sleep problems:

1. Train for Bedtime
Start training your body as to when it is time to sleep and when it is time to get up. Pick the same time each day to awaken and avoid naps during the day. Establish a nighttime routine that cues your body to get ready for sleep. Begin dimming the lights at least an hour before bedtime, put away all work and conflict situations. If you have things you are worried about, make a list and put it away in your calendar or day planner to deal with the next day. Instead engage in something calming such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, imagery, listening to soothing music, or taking a relaxing bath.

2. Herbs
There are herbs that can help some people with sleep problems. Valerian root and chamomile are two of these. Try incorporating slowly sipping a cup of Chamomile tea into your routine of relaxing before bedtime.

3. Exercise
Regular exercise can help with sleep problems. Do not include this in your bedtime routine however as it can also act as a stimulant. Exercise should be done at least 3 hours prior to your bedtime routine. Yoga and Tai Chi are good practices that have been found to be helpful with sleep problems.

4. Watch What You Eat
Eating a late meal or heavy snack before going to bed can activate your digestive system and keep you from being able to go to sleep. On the other hand, going to bed hungry can also prevent sleep. A light bedtime snack of complex carbohydrate or dairy foods like cereal and milk can be OK for some people.

5. Algae and Probiotics
Adding some probiotics and Super Blue Green Algae to your nightly regimen can really help you recharge while you sleep. 1-2 capsules before bed of Omega Sun algae, which is the core of the algae without the cell wall, relaxes the brain and allows you to get a peaceful night's rest. Adding 2-4 capsules of Bifidus to your evening regimen can help ensure a restful sleep so you wake rested and confident. While digestive enzymes certainly help us digest our food, on a metaphysical level, they can also help us digest and "work through" the knotty problems of the day. If you're facing a difficult situation or problem and need some solutions, take 2-4 SBG Zymes before bed. Chances are that you will awaken with the needed solution!

 Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/deedeeender/



If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.