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• Exercise
• yoga
• healthy exercise
• yoga for exercise

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Yoga as a movement has dated back in the ancient times of India. Today, 15 million Americans practice it while its fans are mostly women and those in the age brackets of 18-34.

Yoga has been known as one of the oldest practice of self-development and has evolved from its classic beauty to its modern charms today. It included discipline, medication, breathing and physical postures. Now a major physical fitness staple and movement in the West, it has come a long way since its establishment and practice from the East.

Understanding Yoga

Yoga is composed of stretching exercises, relaxation and controlled breathing. Its major focus though has been on its Asanas or the poses. It is an excellent activity to reduce stress.

Yoga poses are composed of different movements that are designed to increase flexibility as well as the strength. These poses are either done at home or in a yoga room. Yoga poses can be brought outdoors too and may be done even in offices and workplace. Poses also varies from simple floor stretching to complicated postures that make use of some yoga equipment.

Yoga has become a fitness phenomenon as well as a meditation option. It helps improve range, motion, strength and balance. Keeps you from injuring yourself from some physical endeavors and makes you healthy due to its capability to improve blood circulation and its flushing out f toxins benefits.

It has been known to help manage heart conditions, high blood and alleviate pain, anxiety and sleeping problems.

Lately though yoga has been emphasized as a stress buster. So how does it benefit stress?

Yoga in Fighting Stress

There are many stressors in everyone's everyday life. Say you got an inconsiderate boss, an exam tomorrow, or a deadline to meet. Work and personal life are often the two major fields in one's life that can cause stress. Physical and emotional stress once adds up can be tasking and may affect ones normal day to day living.

Yoga on the other hand can help remedy it and even reduce it. You can start saying goodbye to emotional tension and even to physical stress.6

Yoga poses helps better blood circulation which may prep up the body to function better and be stronger to fight against tasking mental stress and over thinking. Plus, yoga may help reduce the cortisone hormones as well as the adrenaline, two of the things that are known as chemical stressors.

Plus, consistent yoga practice may prevent depression and moods swings, one major result of long time stress. It helps increase the body's serotonin level which regulates sleep, appetite and mood.

Different Yoga Moves to Battle Stress

Here are some different yoga poses you may try to help combat stress.

1. Child's Pose. You may need a pillow for this pose. Lower on your knees and fold your upper body over the support or the pillow. Rest forearms in the floor and turn to one side.
2. Half Pigeon. Half pigeon pose asks you to go on all fours, move your right knee forward toward your right hand as you lower your right hip into the pillow. Let your hands support you.
3. Supported bridge pose. Lie on your back, bend your knees and plant your feet on the floor apart. Extend your arms by your side on the floor and lift your hips while sliding the yoga block under the base of the spine. Always do the pose first before putting the block support under you.
4. Reclining bound angle pose. This one's a bit easy. Lie on your back putting your feet soles together. Slide it up close to the groin as possible and put a cushion under your legs. Place your arms at your side in 45 degree angle while palm is up.

These yoga poses doesn't just need to be executed, you have to do the breathing exercises with it. It will calm you down, help you think better and keep you perked up for the day.

• coffee
• weight loss and coffee
• watch your coffee intake

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

There are always two sides to a story and when it comes to drinking coffee you might want to consider spending some time to consider its negative side effects to your health. This might be a hard thought to swallow for the millions of Americans who drink a cup or two of coffee daily. Too much of a good thing can have a negative effect on your health. So before you take your daily dose of coffee, here are a few things to consider.

Coffee Makes Sleeping Much Harder

Coffee's greatest benefit might also work against your health. Sleeping is a time when our body's recuperate and repair itself after a grueling day at the office. Research shows that people who drink more than two cups of coffee have a harder time going to sleep or have poor sleep quality.

Coffee can make you feel depressed

Coffee is a great way of instantly boosting our energy levels. But drinking large amounts of coffee also depletes the body's level of serotonin. This is a feel good chemically that gives us that natural good feel. Serotonin is often taken by people suffering from depression. And when we rob ourselves of  this chemical, it only increases the risk of us suffering from bouts of depression.

Coffee weakens our Immune System

Caffeine increases our body's production of glucocorticoids and cortisol. High levels of glucocorticoid decrease our immune system's effectiveness. Drinking more than normal amounts of coffee during those cold winter nights might warm your body but also increases the chance of you catching a cold.

Coffee can hurt your Liver

The liver is responsible for producing enzymes that breakdown caffeine. The more coffee you drink, less enzymes are available for detoxifying your bloodstream. When our liver is stressed to produce more enzymes, it increases the possibility of long term liver damage.

Coffee disrupts our metabolism

If you're on a diet or watching your weight then this could be a good reason to cut down on your coffee intake. Coffee can make you gain a few more pounds not because of the calories it contain but because it interferes with your normal metabolism. Coffee may not directly affect our body's metabolism but its action on the other organs ultimately leads to weight gain. The thyroid gland controls our rate of metabolism. Coffee has a negative effect on the adrenal gland which releases hormones that control the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Coffee can interfere with your nutrition   

Coffee can interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients and vitamins. Drinking coffee or tea during meals increases the chance that most of the nutrients especially iron won't be absorbed. Calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium and thiamine are just some of these nutrients that are affected when we drink coffee during meals.

Coffee negatively affects our sex drive

Testosterone is a sex hormone responsible for sex drive in both men and women. These hormones are produced in the adrenal gland that is affected when we drink too much coffee. When the adrenal gland is hard pressed to produce adrenaline for example, it has little energy to produce other important hormones such as testosterone. You might be awake for a good portion of the night but have little drive or energy to perform sex.

• kids nutrition
• healthy kids meals
• healthy kids diets

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Eating healthy will always be a staple in living a good life. It is essential in keeping us healthy during our adulthood but equally important during our growing years. Most parents think that kids could get away with everything in terms of their diet. But proper nutrition is needed for normal and optimum growth.

Part of a parent's responsibility is to ensure that their kids are getting the right nutrition for their age. They must be sure that their kids are getting a balance and healthy diet. It might sound simple but if getting your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables can be a daunting task as many parents know.

Calcium

Calcium helps make strong bones and teeth, and this nutrient is most important during the years when bones are growing. Foods that are highest in calcium come from the cow -- low-fat milk, cheeses, and yogurt. But some leafy vegetables and fortified juices are also good sources of calcium. Here are some ways to give your child the calcium he needs:

• Start his day with a bowl of cold or hot whole-grain cereal topped with skim or low-fat milk and sliced fresh fruit.
• Serve low-fat yogurt, smoothies, or cheese after school and between meals for a nourishing calcium-rich snack.
• Calcium-fortified juices and cereals are fine nondairy alternatives to help meet your child's daily requirement.

Fiber

Grandma called it roughage and everyone, kids included, needs plenty of it each day to keep their digestive system working well. Here's how to get your kids used to the taste of fiber-rich foods, which they can come to love.

A bowl of high-fiber cereal is a great start to meeting your child's daily needs. Read food labels to find whole-grain cereals that provide 3 grams or more of fiber per serving. Usually, the more sugar in a cereal, the less fiber. Add sweetness to cereal with fresh, canned (unsweetened), or frozen fruit.

Have cut-up whole fruits and veggies on hand to help your child meet the recommended five or more daily servings of fiber. Keep fruit juice to a minimum. Whole fruits and vegetables contain much more fiber and less sugar than most juices.

Beans are loaded with fiber and protein. Drain and rinse canned beans and toss into soups, stews, salads, scrambled eggs and omelets, and salsas.

Protein

Every cell in the body is made of protein, which makes this major nutrient essential for healthy growth and development. Protein is found in animal products such as dairy, eggs, seafood, and meats. In somewhat lesser amounts, it is also in beans, nuts, vegetables, and grains. Boost your child's nutritional intake with these protein-rich food ideas.

Even finicky kids love eggs. French toast, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and omelets are kid-pleasing dishes that contain plenty of protein, iron, and other important nutrients.

Branch out from fish sticks and try salmon dishes that kids will enjoy. Top salmon or other fish fillets with salsa or teriyaki sauce to give your child lean protein along with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Add nuts to cereals, yogurts, or vegetables for added protein, fiber, and healthy unsaturated fats.

Antioxidant Superfoods

Antioxidants help defend the body against harmful substances that can damage the body's cells. Power up your child's diet with foods rich in antioxidants, such as almonds, berries, citrus, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

• Bring orange wedges, 100% citrus juice, fruit, or nut granola bars to the next sports practice for a refreshing and energizing treat.
• Pack school lunches with baby carrots, grape tomatoes, or red bell pepper slices for a fiber- and antioxidant-rich lunch or snack.
• Add plenty of antioxidant-rich tomatoes or tomato sauce to pizza, spaghetti, meatloaf, soups, and stews.

Iron

Children's diets are often lacking in iron, a mineral that carries oxygen in the blood and helps keep kids energized. Boost the iron in your kids' diet with lean meats, eggs, fish, dark leafy greens, beans, dried fruits, and iron-fortified grains.

Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, so pair eggs with oranges or orange juice.

Serve spinach salads at mealtime, topped with strawberries, dried cranberries, and/or slivered almonds and a light raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The fruit will help the body absorb the iron in the spinach, and kids will love the taste.

When kids refuse a meal, offer iron-fortified cereal topped with low-fat milk or yogurt and fruit as a healthy meal substitute.

• diabetes
• understanding diabetes
• preventing diabetes
• healthy diet with diabetes

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Diabetes continues to be a top concern for many health professionals across the world. It is a condition that could easily be managed with proper diabetes treatment. Diabetes is not a debilitating disease. If properly managed and treated, people with diabetes could live fuller and more productive lives. However, the success of any diabetic treatment ultimately depends on the patients understanding and commitment to treatment.

3 Things to Remember in the Treatment for Diabetes

1. The first step in the treatment of diabetes type 1 or 2 is proper education. This could be done by regular communication and establishing a relationship with your health provider. Learn everything about diabetes and make a lifelong commitment towards eating a healthy diet and living a healthy lifestyle.
2. Diabetes can be managed by eating a healthy diet. Shedding some extra pounds could go a long way in controlling your blood sugar. A typical diabetic diet should consist of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and good fat.
3. Living an active lifestyle also helps people manage their weight better. Exercising regularly helps maintain blood sugar levels. All it takes is thirty minutes of simple exercises like walking or climbing a flight of stairs to help you keep weight under control. Moderate exercises and activities like dancing, yoga or any aerobic exercise combined with a healthy diet helps you live a fuller life, with or without diabetes.

What is the Management and Treatment for Diabetes

• Proper Identification - People with diabetes constantly walk a fine line between having too much or too little blood sugar. This makes the possibility of a diabetic attack highly probable. Wearing a tag or bracelets that identifies you as a person with diabetes helps emergency services or people treat you more effectively. Having a glucagon kit readily available ensures quick treatment of diabetic symptoms.
• Regular Checkups  - Diabetes poses serious medical complications if left untreated. Poor eyesight, glaucoma, cataracts and retinal damage for example are medical complications that can occur due to diabetes. Regular checkups help identify early symptoms of diabetes and help your physician provide proper care and treatment.
• Strengthen your Immune System - Diabetes symptoms include a weakened immune system. Boost your immune system by eating a healthy diet and getting a flu shot every year. Hepatitis B vaccinations are strongly advised for diabetic patients who have no previous records of vaccination.
•  Maintain Proper Blood pressure Levels - Elevated blood sugar levels can cause high blood pressure. Ask your doctor if medication is required to help you maintain proper blood pressure levels. Diabetes symptoms include headaches and dizziness that may be caused by elevated blood pressure. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly prevents fat buildup that could complicate your current medical situation.
•  Feet and Teeth Care - Check your feet regularly for cuts, sores or blisters. Consult with your doctor immediately if you see any of these signs. Regularly wash your feet with lukewarm water. Dry them thoroughly and apply moisturizers. A compromised immune system makes us susceptible to infections. The mouth is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Proper mouth care helps prevent the growth of bacteria and reduces your risk for infections and disease.

Switching to Healthy Lifestyle

We all know the health risks that come with smoking and this could be aggravated by diabetes. Smokers with diabetes have a higher chance of acquiring cardiovascular disease. Switching to a healthy lifestyle and quitting the smoking habit goes a long way in helping your manage your diabetes.

Alcohol when drank in large amounts could elevate or decrease blood sugar levels. Coupled with an unhealthy diet, this could complicate your medical condition. Alcohol also contains carbohydrates. Include the carbohydrate content found in your drinks to help you manage your blood sugar levels better.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Stress could elevate your blood pressure and affect blood sugar levels. Finding yourself with diabetes can be very stressful. The body reacts to stress in many different ways. This includes elevated blood pressures and the release of hormones. This could affect how the body reacts to insulin.

• healthy lifestyle
• fishing
• better lifestyle

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Ever wondered why some people have a longer life expectancy? It has often been said that we are what we eat. And if we took a closer look at the diets of countries that have the longest life expectancy then it would be no surprise that their diets have the healthiest mix of foods prepared over their table. The Japanese in particular have diets that are rich with fish and vegetables. So what makes it standout from most of today's modern diet and what are the benefits of taking fish oil?

Fish takes a centerpiece when we talk about Japanese diets. Its cuisine is characterized by fish often prepared raw combined with fruits and vegetables. One nutrient that is found in great amounts in fish particularly fish fat is Omega 3. This could not be found in fats found in animal meat making it special to fish fat.

Unlike many of the body's much needed nutrients which are produced by breaking down food, Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that could only be taken directly from its source. Good sources of these fatty acids include cold water fishes like salmon, herring and calamari. It could also be found in plant based sources like flaxseed.

Omega 3 fatty acids can be categorized into three types; EPA, DHA and ALA. Fish fat and calamari or squid oil contain EPA and DHA while plant based sources have ALA. Those contained in plant sources however (ALA), needs to be converted to EPA and DLA before being used by the body.

Omega 3 could be found in great amounts in fish fat. It is also referred to as polyunsaturated or essential fatty acids. Omega 3 or “good fat” helps clear clogged arteries and reduces the risks for cardiovascular diseases. This is the exact opposite the action of meat fat which is one of the main culprits in strokes or heart attacks.

The benefits of Omega 3 go beyond keeping our hearts healthy. It is also a vital building block for cell walls. It helps regulate the flow of nutrients to and from the cell and helps send signals to the brain. Omega 3 is essential for keeping our body's basic unit (cells) healthy and functioning at its optimum.

Omega 3 is required for normal brain development. Pregnant women are strongly advised to take their recommended dietary allowance of Omega 3 to ensure normal brain development. This is also important during their growing years for optimum brain growth.

Omega 3 also plays a role in the production of hormones. It is responsible for regulating the production of eicosanoids. This aids in the body's normal immune functioning by reducing inflammation. It reduces blood clotting and promotes the dilation of blood vessels. Omega 3 could also decrease the gravity of strokes and heart attacks by reducing blood clots.

A healthy diet means eating the right type and amount of nutrients. But many of us fail to follow a healthy diet because of the lack of food choices. Varying your choice of foods

The best way to get the most out of eating fish based diets is to have variety. You could have the recommended daily amounts of Omega 3 by eating cold water fish or squid oils. Omega 3 fatty acids could be sourced from a variety of food. These include cold fish, prawns and squid oils which are rich in DHA and EPA. ALA, the third type of Omega 3 fatty acid could be taken from vegetable oils and nuts. Plant sources for ALA include soy bean, flax seed, canola and olive oil.