Making Smarter Choices in Energy Drinks

With no shortage of energy drinks available in the market today, how do you know which to choose? Several important aspects to take into consideration when choosing an energy drink include:

Calories
Amount of sugar
Amount of caffeine
Other ingredients

If you are following a diet that requires you to count calories, beware of how many calories an energy drink can contain. And what form are these calories in?

Energy drinks can contain large amounts of sugar. If you are diabetic or otherwise sugar sensitive, consuming energy drink high in this ingredient may not be in your best interest. Look for energy drinks that are low in sugar or contain a sugar substitute.

Energy drinks often contains one or more stimulants that can be harmful if taken in excess. The most common stimulant found in energy drinks is caffeine. Often times, the amount of caffeine is far in excess to that found in a cup of regular coffee. Energy drinks often list caffeine as guarana or verba mate.

What other ingredients does the energy drink contain? Common ingredients include: Vitamin B, taurine, and ginseng. Some people might have adverse reactions to such ingredients, and some ingredients may be addictive.

Home Remedies for Headaches

If you suffer from headaches—minor or debilitating-- these home remedies can help you.

• Heat and Ice. Try placing an ice-cold washcloth or a gel pack where the pain is centered. Sometimes, doing this at the onset of a headache will relieve the pain within 20 minutes. If ice doesn't work, try heat.

• Rest. Often, simply closing your eyes and letting your mind and body recover from the stress of the day is all it takes to ward off, or get rid of, a headache.

• Eat. Eating regularly and healthfully can decrease the occurrence of headaches. Be sure to eat plenty of foods that are high in magnesium and B vitamins, especially if you suffer from migraines.

• Nasal cleansing. Suspect your headache is caused by allergies or sinus pressure? Try cleaning your sinuses with warm saline water. Most drug stores carry kits, such as the Neti Pot, for just this purpose.

• Massage. Have someone massage the areas of your scalp that are tight and painful. If the pain is coming from tight muscles in your neck, shoulders, or back, massaging those areas will be helpful as well.

Simple Exercises for a Healthier You

Experts recommend one hour of moderate physical activity every day. What can you do to get more active on a tight budget or schedule?

• Walking. Walking is a cardiovascular activity, which helps keep your heart healthy. The brisker the walk, the more calories you will burn, and the more you will work your heart and other muscles to their full potential. Furthermore, walking can be done at any time of day, so if you have a busy schedule, you can fit your exercise in whenever you can. It is also low-impact, which leaves you less prone to injury, and all you need is a pair of good walking shoes.

• Climb Stairs. Climbing stairs is a great way to firm up several core muscle groups, including your legs, butt, and stomach. That's not all—several recent studies at Harvard show that people who climbed an average of 8 flights of stairs a day had a 33% lower mortality rate than those with a sedentary lifestyle. Take 15-30 minutes on your lunch break, and you'll be on your way to a healthier you.

• Stretching. Stretching promotes flexibility, range of motion, and better circulation. Stretching should be done before and after exercising, but it is also beneficial to practice on its own. Studies have also shown that stretching can promote mental well-being and improve energy levels.

Hidden Sources of Sodium in Your Diet

The recommended daily allowance for sodium is 2300 mg per day for a healthy adult, and about half of that if you suffer from high blood pressure, kidney disease, or diabetes. Most people easily consume more than that, however. Even if you watch what foods you eat, some foods contain hidden sodium that you wouldn't think about. For example:

Beverages. You expect pre-packaged food to contain salt, but beverages. Yep. Check the label.

Licorice. Sugar, sure. But licorice also contains plenty of salt. Who knew?

Cheese. You know that cheese is high in saturated fat, but watch out—it can be loaded with sodium, too.

Condiments. Ketchup, mustard, salad dressing. All culprits.

Bagels. Not only loaded with carbohydrates. Bagels can have over 400mg of salt in them, too.

Of course, be wary of all prepackaged foods, including canned foods. Look for low or reduced sodium versions of these items.

The Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea tastes great, and it's good for you. Here are 7 reasons why you should be drinking it.

1. It helps fight cancer. Green tea contains an antioxidant called EGCG, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

2. It helps fight heart disease. Cultures that drink green tea regularly have a low incidence of heart disease.

3. It lowers cholesterol.

4. It boosts mental power and staves off dementia.

5. It's helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

6. It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer. A study conducted in 1994, showed that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in men and women by 60%.

7. It boosts immunity. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants!

Adventure Fitness is a Fun Way to Get in Shape

Do the usual exercise routines bore you? Try adventure fitness. Adventure fitness activities are fun, challenging, and still give you a great workout. Please note: Many of these activities require special equipment, experience, or guides.

Kayaking
Kayaking works muscles in arms, shoulders, neck, and back, as well as your abs and hamstrings. According to Best River Adventures an hour of moderate kayaking will burn roughly 300 calories for a roughly 130 pound person; 350 calories for a 155pound person; and 430 calories for a 190 pound person. More strenuous kayaking will burn more calories. Try canoeing for a less strenuous work out, but still fun, workout.





Snorkeling
Though often thought of as more of a leisure sport, snorkeling burns significant calories-- between 295 and 430 calories per hour depending on body size. That puts snorkeling right up there with kayaking, downhill skiing, skateboarding, and low-impact aerobics! Snorkeling uses several muscle groups, including the abdominal muscles, the glutes, arms, legs, and hips.

Rock Climbing
Rock climbing has been touted as one of the best all-around workouts because it works nearly every muscle in your body. It is also a dynamic muscle exercise, which means your muscles are flexed and stretched for long periods of time. This causes your heart to work harder, and your respiration rate to increase. Rock climbing, therefore, is truly an aerobic activity. Rock climbing also exercises the mind, helping develop decision-making skills, visualization, and concentration.

5 Ways to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Eyes deteriorate with age, but poor health and lifestyle choices can also lead to vision loss. Here are five ways to keep your eyes sharp and healthy.

1. Eat foods that contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that protects the eyes against cell damage. Foods high in these antioxidants include leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens, and brightly colored foods like carrots and corn.

2. Wear sunglasses. People exposed to significant amounts of bright sunlight over the course of their lifetime are more at risk for cataracts and macular degeneration. For optimum protection, choose sunglasses with polarized lenses and wrap-around frames.

3. Stop smoking. Smokers are significantly more likely to go blind from macular degeneration because smoking damages the blood vessels in the eyes. Smoking also increases the risk for cataracts.

4. Blink! Especially if you're working long hours at the computer. Studies show that when staring at screens, people are less likely to blink as often as they should, which causes eye dryness and strain.

5. Exercise the eyes. Specific exercises can help strengthen the eyes. One such exercise is to focus on something closely for several seconds, then move your eyes to focus on something further away. Repeat 3 times, and do this several times a day.

Natural Sweeteners are Healthier Options

According to Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman, the average American consumes a half a pound of sugar each day. This adds up to 180 pounds a year. The danger of eating too much sugar is well documented. Sugar consumption has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, acne, arthritis, candida, fatigue, PMS, lower immunity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Luckily, there are natural sweeteners available that will satisfy your sweet-tooth.

Stevia. This South American herb produces small, bright green leaves that are 30 times sweeter than sugar, and using Stevia will not raise your blood sugar. The plant is easy to grow, but you can also buy Stevia at health food stores.

Honey. Honey has a healthy glycemic index ,and contains natural vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B6, calcium, iron, and certain amino acids. It is also useful in treating allergic symptoms.

Fruit and fruit juice. A great alternative to using refined sugar, especially in baked goods, fruit and fruit juice can be added to impart sweetness. Too much fruit in your diet can also cause sugar related problems, too, however.

Date Sugar. A by-product of the date industry, date sugar comes from pulverized dried dates, and has a similar consistency to sugar. Like the fruit itself, the sugar contains some complex carbohydrates and minerals.

Brown Rice Syrup. With a consistency similar to honey, brown rice syrup is great for homemade granola and granola bars, iced coffee, and baked goods. Brown rice syrup is considered to be one of the healthiest sweeteners available, as it is a whole food source and made up of simple sugars.

Keep Bugs Away with Non-Toxic Bug Sprays

If you're looking for an alternative to chemical ridden conventional bug sprays, look no further. Here are 4 stellar options for keeping the bugs away without dousing yourself in pesticides such as DEET.

• Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent. Uses rosemary, lemongrass, citronella, and other oils that bugs hate. Safe for children and pets, too.

• Badger Balm. These tins and sticks of Anti-Bug formulas use citronella, rosemary, cedar, and geranium to ward off bugs.

• Bite Blocker. Available in herbal wipes or lotion, Bite Blocker combines coconut, soybean, and geranium oils.

• Catnip. Look for products that contain catnip. Catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET.

Staying Fit in Early Spring and Winter

It's easy to hole up on the couch with comfort food when the days are short and the weather inclement. But the combination of inactivity and overeating further exacerbates the doldrums of the season. Exercise, on the other hand, will boost endorphins and serotonin, two key chemicals involved in brain chemistry and the feeling of happiness.

Indoors
If using the exercise equipment at your local gym isn’t your thing, check out the racquetball courts, the pool, or sign up for a kickboxing, yoga, or aerobics class.

If you’d rather skip the gym all together, hit up your local library for home exercise videos, or purchase a Nintendo Wii gaming system along with Wii Fit.

For the guys, a punching bag and a jump rope will keep them de-stressed.
Ladies, pick up a Pilates mat and video and tone every muscle in your body.

Outdoors
Don’t rule out the outdoors for your early spring and winter exercise. There are many fun activities that will get your blood pumping. Just make sure to properly stretch and warm up before heading out. Cold muscles are more prone to injuries. Wear warm clothing, and reflectors if you’re out at night.

Skiing and snowboarding is great exercise. If you’re looking for a cheaper, or more strenuous alternative, rent a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes for an afternoon.

Packing a sled up a slope will get your heart rate up. Plus, it’s fun coming down!

Snow shoveling works the arms, abs, back, and leg muscles.

Try jogging when whether permits. The crisp air will leave you invigorated. Plus, you burn more calories in colder weather, as your body works harder to keep you warm.

How and Why to Protect Your Skin from Sun, Even in Winter

Even in the winter, exposure to sunlight can cause damage to the skin such as premature aging, wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, and skin cancer. Even if you don't burn, and even on cloudy days, you are being exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. To keep yourself looking young and healthy, and to stay skin cancer free, take the following precautions before stepping outside.

Wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Make sure the sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and reapply every 80 minutes or sooner if you're exposed to water or sweat.

Sunglasses that protect against UV rays will protect your eyes. Sunglasses are especially important when participating in snow sports, as the sun's rays reflect off the snow.

Shade is your friend, though it doesn't protect you 100%.

Silence Your Snoring—A Simple Solution

Did you know that up to 40% of adults snore by middle age? Snoring isn't only annoying and disruptive, it can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Fortunately, a study conducted at the Sleep Disorders Unit of Loewenstein Hospital in Raanana, Isreal found that the majority of people who snore do so only when lying on their back. Based on their finding, Dr. Taussig, a respiratory specialist, came up with a product to help people stop snoring.

Dr. Taussig's snoring solution is called the "Back Off." The Back Off is a positional therapy device worn as a backpack or fannypack that stops snorers from sleeping in the supine position. At only 2 ounces, the Back Off is lightweight and comfortable. It is also adjustable, washable, and highly portable. Remarkably, the Back Off has proven effective in over 60% of cases. If you would like to stop snoring, visit Silence My Snoring and order the Back Off for $24.95 plus shipping and handling.

Brain Pollutants to Avoid

Many everyday household items and foodstuffs contain dangerous toxins that pollute the brain. Among the most dangerous brain contaminates are:

Acetaminophen. Found in pain killers such as Tylenol, acetaminophen depletes and important antioxidant that protects the brain. Refrain from taking Acetaminophen more than twice a week.

Antacids. Antacids reduce protein digestion and mineral absorption, and they particularly inhibit the body's ability to absorb vitamin B-12. Low vitamin B-12 levels have been linked to cognitive decline and age-related diseases. Refrain from taking more than twice a week.

Mercury. Mercury is a hormone disrupter, and reduces the brain's ability to respond to dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that regulates moods and brain function. High levels of mercury are found in large fish, such as tuna and swordfish. If you eat large fish regularly, you are at risk for mercury toxicity, which can lead to memory loss and other health problems.

Processed sugar, gluten, and toxic mold are also toxic to the brain.