Baby Formula and Obesity

What could be wrong with baby formula? The point here has more to do with the benefits of breast-feeding during the first months of life than the demerits of any particular brand of baby formula.

A number of studies have shown that children who breast-feed are less likely to be overweight or obese in their early years, which is good -- because an overweight child is more likely to grow into an overweight adult. According to one study, the risk of a child becoming overweight declines the longer a child is breast-fed. By age 14, those who were breast-fed at least seven months were 20% less likely to be overweight than those breast-fed for three months.

Why? That's a mystery, though it may well have something to do with how the different nutrients and hormones alter a baby's metabolism.

What you can do:
If you are able, give your child a good start by breastfeeding, in consultation (of course!) with your doctor. A German study found the prevalence of obesity in children aged 5-6 decreased significantly based on the length of time their mothers breast-fed them.

Seasonal Detoxification

Seasonal changes do not only affect your mood but they also create changes to your health. When the weather changes, your body is weakened and thus serious infections and parasites are easier to catch.

Though herbs and acupuncture can protect your body, cleansing and detoxification are also great preventive methods. Sudden changes in temperatures experienced due to artificial or natural changes (outside or inside) can also be very harmful at times because they weaken your immune system. The various seasons affect each individual differently.

When toxins enter the human body by way of the digestive system, they get easily absorbed and thus enter into the blood stream. A few of these toxins get eliminated via sweat but many stay within your system. The accumulation of toxins may be very subtle yet may also lead to serious health crises such as cancer. In many cases, these toxins are not even detected in general blood tests .
Spring is considered to be an ideal season for cleansing and detoxification of the body.

Detox Methods

While your body has a natural filtering and detoxifying system, sometimes it needs help when the burden is too much.

* Body brushing – This method involves using a natural bristle brush to remove dead skin cells and debris from the outside of your body. Pores can easily get clogged up and regular brushing can remove them. It can also help remove cellulite. Perform the technique in the morning while you are still dry and then shower to remove the impurities.

* Massage – Ancient oriental medicine believes that the body is governed by energy. This energy flows throughout the body, allowing it to maintain a healing balance. When the energy is blocked, that is when you get disease. Regular massage can work to remove the blockages that cause problems in the body. Toxins can flow into the bloodstream and be eliminated from the body.

* Diet – The culprit of some toxins is what we eat. Added preservatives can build up in the body and potentially harm us. By eating more whole foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, the body can remove excess toxins and get back to functioning normally. You gain more energy, increased immunity and faster digestion. This can all lead to weight loss as well.

* Exercise – Exercise gets the blood flowing. It increases the metabolism so more fat is burned for energy. This also releases toxins into the bloodstream to be excreted by the body. As a by-product, you feel better, gain mental clarity and increased cardiovascular health. Sweating releases toxins through the skin to lighten the load.

How to Get off Sugar

By Diana Herrington

It takes about 7 days to get the addiction out of your system. This does not mean the cravings will disappear but the intense addiction needs that amount of time.  Wean yourself off sugar or go cold-turkey.  The choice is yours — you pick the way that works for you as we are all different.

Tips on How Wean Yourself Slowly:

1. Eat fresh and dried fruit instead of sugary sweets – Although they are filled with natural sugar, they are a healthier choice as fruit is filled with vitamins, minerals and fiber.  It is okay at first to eat a bigger quantity of them while weaning.

2. Dessert Rules – Week 1: Maximum once a day. Week 2: twice a week. Week 3: once a week.  Make it your rule to have raw fruit at least half the time.

3. Try Stevia – A natural sugar alternative that actually nourishes the pancreas and has no calories. Stevia is an herbal extract from the Stevia Rebaudiana leaf that has been shown to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure.

4. Don’t skip meals – When you miss regular meals; you create a starving situation in your body and you will eat anything to bring your blood sugar level back to normal and you know what that means.

5. Instead of soda pop, lemonade & iced tea – Make lemonade with stevia and herb tea with stevia.  If you need that carbonated zing, add sparkling mineral water. When at a party or at the bar, drink soda water with lime or lemon.

6. No sweets in your cupboards or fridge – It is too tempting to have them available.

7. When craving strikes, go for a walk – Athletes’ cravings for sweet foods declines after exercise; they prefer salty foods.

How to Get Off Sugar Quickly

I am so passionate about getting off sugar that I offer Healthy Web BootCamps where for two days you get focused support in eating perfectly balanced healthy meals.  Sometimes just knowing what to do is not enough.  A person has to feel  confident enough to do it easily.

The next live BootCamp in a Healthy Weight Loss BootCamp in which you can balance out your body for the new year. This will be focused on alkalizing your body permanently and also applying food combining principles.  There will not a a single bit of sugar in any of the healthy recipes.

Tip: Read labels for hidden sugars & sugar aliases

Hidden sugars: tomato sauce, baked beans, packaged foods, chewing gum, mints, and lunch meats.
Sugar aliases: corn syrup, dextrin, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, high-fructose corn syrup, galactose, glucose, honey, hydrogenated starch, invert sugar maltose, lactose, mannitol, maple syrup, molasses, polyols, sorghum, sucrose, sorbitol, and xylitol.

Natural Alternatives to Sugar:

This article is a second in a three-part series about sugar. The third will deal with all the wonderful natural sweeteners, their different qualities, benefits, and when to use them.

Sugar-Free Recipes

To also assist you in this area, I offer recipes that I have worked with, sometimes for years. Most of them are 100 percent sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan.

Gingerbread Cake :  This is to DIE FOR and unlike many deserts is very balancing to your health.
Brown Rice Pudding :  A tasty familiar treat.
Apple Cake :  I tried FIVE TIMES to get this just right.

Enjoy.

Source : Care2

Three Easy Steps to Eating Green

By Marie Oser, Managing Editor ecomii.com

Eating Green is at the heart of the green revolution and can be the most important contribution you can make toward preserving the planet.

What could be greener than plants? The average American diet requires the production of an extra ton and a half of greenhouse gases when compared to a vegan diet.²  Both the burning of fossil fuels during food production and the non-carbon dioxide emissions associated with livestock and animal waste, contribute to the problem.

Eating green can be as easy as one, two, three! Every plant-based meal you consume can be an adventure and exploring delicious new foods also helps reduce pollution.  While many find it most effective to drop all animal products at once, others find that a gradual approach is best for their family.

• “Meatless Monday.” Eating green one or two days a week is a great way to explore how easy and delicious it can be. Start with vegetarian meals that you may already enjoy. Dishes such as Pasta Primavera, Bean Burritos or vegetable stew with a side of salad and crusty bread are satisfying and very tasty. Try these quick and easy Asparagus Wraps

• Choose a few of your favorite recipes and adapt them. With a few simple adjustments, you can transform some of the meals that you make most often into a healthier and more eco-friendly version. You can replace poultry or beef with seitan, tofu or tempeh in just about any dish. Use soymilk in place of cow’s milk one-for-one in any recipe and it is delicious on cereal, too! Explore healthy foods like hummus and tofu. Some find a more gradual approach fits their lifestyle more easily. A lot of people choose to drop one class of food at a time with a one or two week interval. Most choose to begin by eliminating beef, then poultry, followed by fish and lastly, dairy and eggs. Here’s a delicious dish: Louisiana Stuffed Potatoes with Cajun Cream Sauce

• Give it a try for 30 days. This can be a great opportunity to experience the effect this healthful regimen has on your body.  Most are surprised at how easy it is and how soon they begin to feel really good. It is not uncommon to notice an increase in clarity, energy and endurance. You may realize that you’ve lost a few pounds and require less sleep. The surprise for most is that adopting a vegetarian lifestyle is easy, saves money and improves overall physical wellbeing.

Marie Oser is a best-selling author, writer/producer and host of VegTV, Follow Marie on Twitter: http://twitter.com/vegtv

Source : Ecomii

Non-animal Sources of Key Nutrients

Registered dieticians Vanadana Sheth and Christine Palumbo recommend the following substitutions for people following a plant-based diet:

Calcium: dark, leafy greens, calcium-fortified cereals, soy products and orange juice

Iron: spinach, kidney beans, lentils, dried fruits and iron-fortified breakfast cereals

Omega-3s: walnuts, canola oil, ground flaxseed

Protein: beans, lentils, nuts, soy products and legumes

Vitamin B12: One of the trickiest nutrients to get, especially for vegans, as it only is found naturally in animal products. But many fortified cereals have it, or else supplements are available

Vitamin D: fortified orange juice, breakfast cereals, soymilk, 15 to 20 minutes of daily sun exposure

Vitamin E: sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, wheat germ oil, pumpkin

Zinc: white beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, fortified cereal, wheat germ and pumpkin seeds

Tips to Better Sleep

Feeling crabby lately? Or simply worn out? Perhaps the solution is better sleep.

No. 1: Stick to a sleep schedule

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.

No. 2: Pay attention to what you eat and drink

Don't go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.

No. 3: Create a bedtime ritual

Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed. Relaxing activities can promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness.

Be wary of using the TV or other electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. Some research suggests that screen time or other media use before bedtime interferes with sleep.

No. 4: Get comfortable

Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.

Your mattress and pillow can contribute to better sleep, too. If you share your bed, make sure there's enough room for two. If you have children or pets, set limits on how often they sleep with you — or insist on separate sleeping quarters.

No. 5: Limit daytime naps

Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep — especially if you're struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality at night. If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes and make it during the midafternoon.

No. 6: Manage stress

When you have too much to do — and too much to think about — your sleep is likely to suffer. To help restore peace to your life, consider healthy ways to manage stress. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Give yourself permission to take a break when you need one. Share a good laugh with an old friend. Before bed, jot down what's on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

There are many health-based education degrees, such as a master in public health, which promote more sleep and better living choices.

Breathe Easier: Use Household Plants to Help Clear the Air

Can common houseplants clean your indoor air? Some scientists say they can. The reason: Many plants can act as natural air filters; improving your indoor air quality by absorbing contaminants. And, of course, all plants contribute to healthy air by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen.

Studies have shown that some common plants can be effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, and other nasty pollutants.

NASA published the first studies over two decades ago. Since then, other scientists have supported its findings.

Which plants should you choose?

• Dr. Bill Wolverton, a former NASA scientist who was involved in the original research, suggests Peace Lily, Areca Palm, Lady Palm, Ficus Alii, and Golden Pathos because they are easy to take care of and are among the most effective at removing air pollutants.

• Researchers at the University of Georgia say the best purifiers of the 32 plant species they tested include: Purple Waffle Plant, English Ivy, Purple Heart, Foxtail Fern, and Wax Plant.

When it comes to indoor air quality we can use all the help we can get. The air inside our homes can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air thanks in part to many of the products we use. That's not great news when you consider that we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors. Check out 25 indoor air quality yips from The Daily Green and American Lung Association.

Top 5 Healthy Carbohydrates that Should Be in Your Diet

Here's the deal: aside from animal flesh and pure fats, most every other food has carbs. The good news, though, is good, really. Carbs are not only important for brain and muscle function, energy and strength, but they help keep your cells healthy so you can fight off diseases. Here is our top 5 carbohydrate list:

1. Fruits: Nature's candy is so good for you; it's kind of unbelievable. A great source of healthy carbohydrates, fruit fiber slows sugar absorption so you burn it off more efficiently. And fruit is loaded with lots of super vitamins like my favorite, vitamin C.

2. Vegetables: There's a reason Mom insisted you eat all those Brussel sprouts. Many veggies are carbo rich and also an energy and fiber powerhouse meant to be consumed daily.

3. Beans and Legumes: Beans gets such a bad rap, but here's a secret: rinse off the water beans were cooked in to reduce gas. Beans and legumes are a super source of carbs as well as protein for your Meatless Monday. Plus, they're so versatile and tasty; you're missing out if they're not a regular staple in your diet.

4. Nuts and Seeds: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire….are actually so good for you it's kind of like another Christmas present. All nuts and seeds are a source of good carbohydrates. My favorites are walnuts and pumpkin seeds, which are both also loaded with healthy omega fats.

5. Whole Grains: Brown rice is full of good carbs, fiber and minerals and vitamins found in the hull. The same goes for other whole grains like wheat berries, quinoa, millet and oats. Be careful with grains, though. Allergies to wheat and gluten are sprouting up.

Lack of Sleep

Cutting-edge sleep researchers are learning that our round-the-clock schedules may impact our health in surprising ways. While scientists don't yet know why, studies continue to show that those who don't get enough deep restful sleep tend to gain weight.

Whether or not losing sleep makes you feel hungrier and eat more food (some do, some don't) something about losing sleep changes the metabolism. Faced with a sleep deficit, we metabolize more lean muscle and less fat. Even if we burn calories during exercise, we struggle to lose weight.

The result? According to one study, people put on three pounds in less than two weeks just by having their sleep interrupted. The results of sleep deprivation show up in as few as a couple nights without deep restful sleep. And BMI, the official measure of weight, increases steadily as the sleep deficit increases.

What you can do:
We all know what makes us lose sleep -- too much to do, too much coffee (or alcohol), too much late-night television or video gaming, a little too much "quality" time with our Blackberries. We can't control everything that wakes us up or takes away our sleep -- the crying baby can't be ignored -- but we can control many of them.

How much sleep do you need? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 7-9 hours for adults, while some experts have said 6.5-7.5 may be closer to the ideal.

Stress Makes You Fat

While research hasn't yet determined all the factors in the stress-weight gain feedback loop, there appears to be evidence that stress leads to weight gain -- just as putting on a few pounds can lead to stress.

One recent study found that more than 56% of stressed-out adolescents were obese, versus 47% of the less-stressed. Previous research has identified a biological switch in mice that makes the body accumulate fat. Significantly, mice that were eating a healthy diet did not put on weight, even when stressed; those eating high-fat, high-sugar diets, however, were much more likely to gain weight when stressed. Another study showed that there's a biochemical trigger in the brain that prompts mice (and possibly humans, too) to seek out comfort foods when under the kind of long-term chronic stress we all experience; not only that, but the same hormone primes the body to pack on belly fat.

What you can do:
Eat well, of course -- and chill out. We can't control every form of stress -- remember the 40-hour work week? Turns out, that was good for us -- we can reduce our stress levels.

Read a book. Take the afternoon to cook a (healthy, low-fat) family meal. Work in the garden. Take a walk. Watch the birds. Exercise. Get outside and play with the kids. ... Do whatever you do to get perspective. It may help you slim down, too.

Making Your Children Vegetarian

Turning vegetarians has become a buzz word all across the globe. There are movements taking place to make vegetarian food more acceptable. Growing number of people in different countries are turning vegetarians because of reasons including, environmental, ethical and medical. Meat and other non-vegetarian products are being avoided. Already, there are substantial numbers of people who are vegetarians because of their social, religious and cultural backgrounds.

It is natural for vegetarian parents to want their children to follow suit. But then, everyone has different opinions about nutrition. Parents are more concerned about whether a vegetarian diet can fulfill the dietary requirements of their growing children. There is no doubt regarding the immense health benefits of a vegetarian diet. There is a strong co-relation between vegetarian diets and reduced incidence of many diseases. People who are non-vegetarians are more likely to suffer from hypertension and heart diseases. They will also have higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It’s important for parents to instill the habit of vegetarian diet in their kids’ right from the very beginning.

If parents are aiming for a non-vegetarian diet for their kids, they should also ensure that children are not having any sort of junk foods such as potato chips and aerated drinks else the overall benefits of vegetarian food will be nullified. Diet should be nutritionally complete. Parents should make children a part of turning vegetarian process instead of forcing the vegetables down their throats. They should explain why vegetables are necessary and how they stand up against non-vegetarian foods. They should be given their favorite vegetarian diet. Parents should lead by example if they want their children to grow on a vegetarian diet.

Is Your Home Healthy?

A confluence of forces within your home can create an unhealthy environment. From that old carpet where the dog has slept for the past ten years to the vinyl floor in the kitchen that still gives off the new smell, your home exudes its own atmosphere in more ways than one - and I'm not talking about bad fengshui. The combination of all sorts of elements can bombard you on a daily basis with substances unseen but highly potent.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Levels of pollutants inside a private home are often five times higher than they are outdoors; under certain circumstances, they can be as high as 1,000 times more. This pollution can result in a slew of respiratory problems, including asthma. Poor indoor air quality can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms. Children and people with respiratory illnesses are at an even greater risk.

Don't count on being able to see signs of poor air quality. Although you may be able to pick up on the strong acrid smell of a new furniture stain or "feel" that a room is too humid, indoor air pollution is particularly insidious in that it's often invisible. Primary culprits of poor indoor air quality include

Poor ventilation: When the air inside a home doesn't have enough circulation, unhealthy particle matter - dust and pollen, for example - and gases from chemicals in furnishings and household products stay in the atmosphere, creating their own form of smog.

Humidity: Bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and other areas where moisture can collect in dark, warm spots are prone to structural rot and the growth of mildew and mold, which may not be visible when the damage is spreading behind the tiles of a bathroom shower or under the floorboards where a pipe is leaking.

Biological pollutants: In addition to mildew and molds, bacteria, dust, dust mite droppings, pollen, and pet hair and dander are other biological contaminants that wreak havoc.

Tips for Vegetarian Athletes

The health benefits of following a vegan, or a vegetarian diet are numerous. The diet has been confirmed to lower cholesterol, lower risk of heart disease, lower risk of hypertension, reduce the risk of cancer in addition to many other benefits to the body. But if you're an athlete, does it still make sense to follow a vegan diet?

Yes, and the American Dietetic Association confirms it. Two years ago they released this statement:

" It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes."

Eating Well magazine released a list of the six staples a vegetarian diet should include:

• Healthy oils - Including canola and extra-virgin olive oil, offer heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Some, such as canola oil and flaxseed oil, provide omega-3 fats.

• Nuts and seeds provide protein and healthy ­unsaturated fats; walnuts and flaxseed provide omega-3 fats.

• If you start with a vegetarian instead of a vegan diet, you can include eggs and dairy which are good sources of high-quality protein for lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, provide calcium and vitamin D.

• Legume, including beans, lentils and dried peas as well as soybeans, are the best sources of plant-based protein. Foods made from them (tofu, tempeh, falafel, hummus) are good sources too.

• Whole grains should have a starring role in any vegetarian diet, as they are excellent sources of carbohydrates.

• Fruits and vegetables should, of course, be the basis of any vegetarian diet.

Those who are active, need more protein and fat to sustain themselves. Consider adding additional protein from sources such as soy protein powder, unsweetened soy drinks or hemp powder. Healthy fat sources like extra virgin olive oil, hemp seed oil, and avocado, can also be added to your diet.

Eat A Vegan Diet To Save Money On Food And Health Care Costs

Eating a plant-based diet will save on food costs and health care costs. Ellen Jaffe Jones, Author of "Eat Vegan On $4 A Day," shares how in this video: A half-cup serving of beans cooked from scratch costs about a dime. The same serving from a can of beans is about twice that much. The same size serving of the cheapest hamburger meat—which is 30% fat—costs fifty to sixty cents, or at least 5 times more than beans. When you look at more expensive cuts of meat, such as beef tenderloin at 85 cents an ounce and that equals $3.40 for 4 ounces or $6.80 for 8 ounces! And that is 34 times more expensive than beans! Another way to save money is by avoiding the hospital. Meat consumption causes cardiovascular disease. And a bypass surgery in the US can cost between $100,000-$200,000.

Ellen Jaffe Jones is "THE VEG COACH." She is a personal trainer, running coach, author, and teaches healthy cooking classes designed by respected doctors and registered dieticians.

Interviewee:
Ellen Jaffe Jones
Author of "Eat Vegan On $4 A Day"
The book is available on Amazon.com and at health food stores and major bookstores. Visit http://vegcoach.com for more information.

Video Producer
Larry Cook
Author of "The Beginner's Guide to Natural Living"
http://www.thenaturalguide.com

Raising a Vegetarian Family

As parents, we do everything we can to raise happy, healthy children. We immunize them against diseases, fret over their runny noses, and consider it to be a national emergency when they have a fever. Unfortunately, many parents don't know that they are risking their children's health by feeding them drug-laden, meat-based diets instead of cholesterol-free vegetarian diets.

Feeding meat to your children is likely to adversely affect their health in both the short and the long term. Meat is packed with hormones, dioxins, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and other contaminants. Some of the drugs that are commonly found in chicken flesh are even arsenic-based. These chemicals are ingested by the animals who are exploited on factory farms and then accumulate in their flesh and fat.

Herbicides and pesticides are also dumped on the crops that are fed to animals on factory farms. This means that these poisons are concentrated in the meat at a level that is up to 14 times higher than what is typically found in vegetables. Furthermore, since these toxins are in the animals' flesh, it's impossible to wash them away.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the consumption of meat causes 70 percent of the food poisoning cases in the U.S. each year. This is not surprising when you consider that meat can be contaminated with a host of dangerous bacteria—including E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter. Sadly, adults aren't the only ones who feel the ill-health effects of this contaminated food. Recent outbreaks of E. coli have shown that these pathogens can be deadly when consumed by children.

The late Benjamin Spock, M.D., author of the landmark parenting guide Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care, wrote, "Children who grow up getting their nutrition from plant foods rather than meats have a tremendous health advantage. They are less likely to develop weight problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer."

Indeed, the saturated fat and the relative lack of fiber in a flesh-based diet can make your child overweight and lethargic in the short term and can contribute to the risk of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer in the long term.

In contrast, a healthy vegetarian diet gives children all the protein, calcium, fiber, and vitamins that they need to be strong and healthy. Vegetarian kids are free from the cholesterol and chemical toxins that are found in fish, chicken, pork, and other meat.

Source : PETA

10 Ways to Increase Your Daily Water Intake

If you’re anything like me, running around like a mad woman downing mindless cups of caffeine in all varieties, all day, well, then you probably aren’t getting enough water either. So, I’m doing the only logical thing and making a point to drink more of it every day! Here are some tips on jumping on the water train, straight to hydration station!

1. Know that the eight glass rule isn’t necessarily for everyone. Weight and exercise also factor into how much you should drink a day so figure out how much water you need a day with this nifty water-drinking calculator!

2. Don’t feel like you have to start drinking dozens of glasses of water right off the bat, ease into it!

3. When you want to drink a soda, think about the pros and cons. What good is a soda for you? It’s full of Aspartame, unnatural sweeteners, dyes… who knows! Water on the other hand is something your body needs and flourishes from.

4. Make water accessible! Buy yourself a water purifying system (Heck, you can nab yourself a Brita at the grocery store!) so that way there is never an excuse not to pour yourself a glass.

5. To piggyback on making it accessible, plan ahead! If you know you’re going to be out and about all day or sitting for forever at a desk, pour yourself a bottle to-go so you’re prepared when thirst strikes.

6. Drinking water all day can get a little boring, so spice it up! Add some fruit to your next glass! A personal favorite of mine is to add cucumber. It’s refreshing and different and keeps my taste buds from yawning while keeping my body happy.

8. Add some incentive to drinking water by keeping it cold- cold water takes energy for your body to regulate the temperature and burns calories!

9. If none of these strike your fancy, set a timer! Depending on how much water you need to intake, you can anticipate needing to drink a glass every other hour, for example.

10. Get sneaky by eating water enriched foods like watermelon or tomatoes- both over 90 percent made of water not to mention delicious and healthy for you!

Water is the essence of life, don’t forget to make it a part of yours!

Source : Care2

Easy Ways to Prevent and Treat Back Pain

As anyone who's suffered it knows, it sucks to have back pain. But it doesn't have to suck for your wallet. Practice the following tips to relieve your stiff back and neck:

Take a Hot Bath with Epsom Salt.

Add 1-2 cups of epsom salt in a tub of hot water for a luxurious self-spa treat after a long day of work. Epsom salts are cheap and can be bought at any supermarket or drug store. A hot bath will help relieve stiff muscles and probably remove some of the stress that is causing you back pain in the first place.

Make Your Own Massage Tool with Two Tennis Balls and a Long Tube Sock.

Stick two tennis balls in the end of a long tube sock and tie the ends tightly. You can then sandwich the tennis balls between your back and a wall to rub them against your knots, or lie down on the floor with the tennis balls beneath you.

Sleep with More than One Pillow to Support Your Back.

To minimize future back pain, be mindful of how you sleep. You will need one pillow for your head and neck support, and depending on how you sleep, another pillow to support the bottom half of your body.

If you sleep on the side, put a regular-sized pillow or body pillow between your legs. If you sleep on your back, put a small pillow beneath the small of your back. If you sleep on your abdomen, put a small pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen. (Check out a handy slideshow of these sleeping positions on MayoClinic.com)

Stack Books Beneath Your Laptop so that Your Neck and Head are Level When You Type.

These days, I stack three fat textbooks beneath my laptop so I'm not hunching over the laptop for eight to nine hours a day, and this forces me to maintain a proper posture.

Have Excuses to Break out of Your Sitting Pattern Every at Least 30-60 Minutes.

This is especially if you have an all-day office job in front of your computer. Drink lots of water (which you should be doing anyway) so you have to make frequent trips to the bathroom, and do some stretches while you're at it.

Go on a mini-walk during your lunch break. Practice your social skills and converse with someone who is on the other side of the room. If you work from home, take mini-breaks to take out the trash, water the houseplants, organize another room.

8 Ways To Make A Vegetarian Diet Safe For You & Baby

1. Maximize iron absorption by combining plant sources of iron with foods high in vitamin C.

2. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider you're a vegan, and have your hemoglobin checked at least every other month. Because you can still feel anemic with a normal hemoglobin level, your doctor may want to do an iron profile, which is a more accurate measure of iron-sufficiency in your blood than is measuring your hemoglobin. (Research whether the increased fluid volume artificially dilutes the hemoglobin, giving a falsely low value.)

3. If your practitioner recommends that you take iron supplements, protect yourself from discomfort by taking smaller doses with meals, for example, 100 milligrams of ferrous sulfate tablets three times a day. To increase the amount of iron absorbed from these pills, down a 100-milligram vitamin C tablet at the same time.

4. Lean on sunlight as a valuable source of vitamin D. Since vitamin D is not stored in the body, you may need to take a supplement daily. Excess vitamin D is not readily excreted, so be sure you take only the required amount, which is 400 IU daily.

5. You will need vitamin B12 supplements, since animal foods are the primary sources of this vitamin. Consult your healthcare provider. Some Vitamin B12 is found in yeast, wheat germ, whole grains, eggs, and milk.

6. If you are a lacto-ova vegetarian (eat eggs and dairy, but no meat or fish), you can get adequate vitamin D and additional protein from these sources, yet iron and B12 may still be insufficient.

7. If you are unwilling to take commercial supplements but are willing to compromise, eating four ounces of fish (fish liver oils, salmon, sardines, tuna) daily will provide enough of the otherwise missing nutrients for you to safely continue being "almost" a vegetarian while pregnant.

8. If you're a strict vegetarian (a vegan -- no eggs, dairy, meat, or fish), you will need to monitor your diet most carefully. Consult a nutritionist to work out alternative sources of marginal nutrients.

Source : Ask Dr Sears

Plant Sources of Essential Fatty Acids

A Pennsylvania State University study showed that omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources actually promote bone formation and may help to reduce the risk for osteoporosis by inhibiting excessive bone loss.

Omega-3 fat in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and a variety of vegetable oils.

Plant sources of essential fatty acids:

• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Flaxseed
• Flaxseed oil (also called linseed oil)
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Canola oil
• Hemp oil
• Soy oil
• Wheat germ
• Soybeans
• Tofu
• Tempeh

Additionally, plant sources of this essential nutrient tend also to be rich in vitamin E, which has many benefits including promoting cardiovascular health.

Certainly, vegetarians attain optimal health by consuming plant-based meals.  They are leaner and have more energy than their omnivorous counterparts and now it is apparent that they enjoy a healthier mood state, as well.

6 Types of Tea for 6 Different Mood

A cup of tea heals emotional wounds, alleviates sickness and makes cold weather more bearable, even enjoyable.

Tea humanizes complete strangers and dissolves cultural barriers. If I know that your kitchen cupboards are stuffed with different types of tea bags and tea leaves, I will probably like you.

And let’s remind ourselves of all those health benefits of tea that people keep raving about, for good reason. Tea contains beneficial antioxidants that help fight cancer. Tea also boosts the immune system, increases mental alertness, lowers stress hormone levels and can help you sleep.

Which tea best suits your emotional and physical needs right now? Here is a handy guide.

Need a Quick Pick-Me-Up? Drink Black Tea. Black tea is Coffee Lite for those of you wanting to cut back on your coffee but still needing that perky caffeine fix. The strong flavor will reinvigorate your senses and get your mental gears running for the rest of the day.

Want to Feel Healthy and Refreshed? Try White Tea. White tea has the least amount of caffeine and contains the most antioxidants. As it is the least processed tea compared to other tea types, it has a light flavor that will go down smoothly.

Need Some Stress-Relief? Try Green Tea. Green tea has a natural, grassy, neutral flavor that is perfect for stress relief. Plus, it is not loaded with as much caffeine as black tea.

Need Some Creative Inspiration? Try Indian Chai Tea. Indian chai tea is a multifaceted taste palette loaded with different spices and nuances. Whether you drink it straight or with some cream and honey, consider having this drink within arm’s reach for your creative brainstorming sessions.

Feeling Physically Under the Weather? Try Fruit-Flavored Tea. Orange tea, lemon tea, raspberry tea: the options are endless. Drink up for sore throats, body aches and general under-the-weather-ness. Too bad cough medicine doesn’t taste more like this.

Need to Quench Your Thirst? Try Cold Oolong or Barley Tea. Found in most Asian supermarkets, getting a cold bottle of these teas is the perfect way to satisfy your thirst on a hot day. With ice, please.

Source : Care2