How to Shed Weight Fast

Being able to shed weight fast helps to keep the weight loss spirits up, and encourages the dieters to continue with the program. However, care should be taken that the weight is shed in a healthy manner to avoid getting sick. Here are some of the healthiest and safest ways to shed weight fast.

A 7-Day Juice Fast

A juice fast is the best way to shed weight, as it requires that no food is consumed during the fast. The only nutrients that are allowed, are those that can be obtained from freshly made fruit and vegetable juices, tea and water. Read More...

How To Lose Weight Fast And Easy

Losing weight fast isn’t always healthy, nor is it as easy as some weight loss programs make it out to be. However, a healthy person can lose weight fast, and fairly easy when the right methods are used. There is no need to go on any pills, or eat funny tasting weight loss foods, as there are many natural ways that fast weight loss goals can be achieved.

Reduce Calories

Calories equal weight, and the more calories that are reduced, the more weight can be lost. However, care should be taken not to reduce the calories by too much at once, as that could result in getting sick. Read More...

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer begins in one or both of the ovaries which are located on either side of the uterus. Both ovaries are only the size of an almond, and are responsible for producing eggs, and releasing them in to the fallopian tubes.

The ovaries are also responsible for producing two female hormones known as estrogen and progesterone. These hormone levels are higher before and during ovulation, and if they become too high it may cause ovarian tumors to form.

There are basically two types of tumors which form in the ovaries: benign tumors (non-cancerous), and malignant tumors (cancerous). The benign tumors do not spread outside of the ovaries, but the malignant tumors will work their way to the outside and eventually spread to other parts of the body. Read More...

How to Reduce Your High Intake of Salt

Salt in moderation is good for you, but when you consume it in excess amounts, it can have many negative effects on your body. If you are on the Standard American Diet (SAD), then you are mostly likely consuming it in high amounts, and thus you should reduce your high intake of salt so that you can remain healthy and fight off health problems.

Reducing your high intake of salt should be a gradual process, as your taste buds need time to adjust to less salt in your food. And remember that salt is an essential mineral, therefore, you should not cut salt out completely.

Avoid Man-Made Foods

The best way that you can avoid overdosing on salt, is to avoid man-made foods. These are foods that have been highly processed such as fast foods, canned and boxed foods, as well as all junk foods and most baked goods.

That may leave you with the question: “If I eliminate all those foods, what do I eat?” And the answer to that is a raw plant-based diet. Foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds as well as herbs and spices are excellent foods to add to the diet, and you’ll never have to worry about overdosing on salt.

In addition, all plant-based foods contain a minimum amount of salt, and when they become your primary source for food, then they will be able to provide you with all the salt that you need. Thus you can get rid of the salt shaker, which will also help you to reduce your intake of salt.

Cook From Scratch

Chances are that you will not be able to stick with an all raw food diet, and thus it is important that you learn how to cook from scratch. All the addictive flavors that are found in processed seasonings can be mimicked by using fresh herbs and spices.

Some of the spices that will help you to reduce your processed seasonings and salt are garlic, ginger, onions, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, sage, lemon balm, mint, lemon juice and other fruit juices.

Switch to Unrefined Sea Salt

If you are going to add salt to your food, then switch to unrefined sea salt, as it not only contains less sodium, but it also contains many essential minerals that your body needs. In addition, sea salt does not contain any of the harmful ingredients that table salt contains. Thus sea salt is natural, and can even provide you with many health benefits when taken in moderation.

Tips for Buying Avocados

Avocados are a fruit that is mainly grown in the warmer regions of the world such as South and Central America and certain warmer climates of the United States. They are most commonly used for making guacamole, and are also great when used in meat dishes, smoothies, salads, and as spreads on sandwiches and wraps as well as in raw puddings, raw fruit pies and other delicious desserts.

Avocados are available year round in the fresh produce section in most grocery stores. They can be purchased fully mature and ready to be eaten, or still in the green state to be ripened at home. Following are some tips for buying the right avocados at the right time: Read More...

Holistic Weight Loss

Holistic weight loss uses a variety of methods that promote a healthy body and mind. Therefore, the primary focus is not just on losing weight, but rather on restoring a healthy balance in the body and mind. Once a healthy balance is achieved, then one can begin to lose weight in a natural manner.

All the remedies that are used in holistic weight loss are natural remedies that will not cause negative side effects when done correctly and in moderation. The natural remedies include cleansing, detox diets, exercise and balancing the mind. Read More...

Baking with Agave Syrup

Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that is commercially produced in Mexico. It comes from the agave plant, which interestingly is the same plant that is used to make Tequila. The sap is harvested and heated at temperatures below 118 degrees Fahrenheit. This process breaks down the long chain sugars into fructose, but keeps the enzymes alive.

Therefore agave nectar is considered to be a raw and natural sweetener, which is safe to use as a sugar substitute. It can be used in lieu of sugar in tea, coffee, cereals and desserts as well as in baking. Read More...

How to Lose Weight with Superfoods

To lose weight with superfoods, all one has to do is begin to add them into the daily diet. Doing so will not only diminish the hunger, but the desire to reach for other empty calorie foods as well.

Many superfoods such as avocados, coconuts and nuts and seeds contain high amounts of calories, but they are also packed with essential nutrients, that are able to reduce the food cravings. Thus they are essential for helping in weight loss, and to keep it off in the long run. A donut or a pizza on the other hand, also have a lot of calories, but no nutrients, and thus one can feel hungry again within an hour or two. Read More...

Health Benefits of Acai Berry

The acai berry is grown in the  of South and Central America. It is a small berry that resembles the blueberry in its shape and color. And like the blueberry, it has also been touted for its high amounts of antioxidants.

Acai berries are extremely high in essential fatty acids, and therefore go rancid within a day or two after picking. That is why you are not able to purchase fresh acai around the world. However, you can purchase frozen acai, acai juice as well as acai supplements at most health food stores. Read More...

Variations of the Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet is said to be the healthiest diet there is, as the foods are high in antioxidants, which help to eliminate toxins and free radicals from the body. In addition, raw foods also contain all the necessary enzymes, amino acids as well as vitamins and minerals that you need in order to live a long and healthy life.

Foods are considered to be raw when they have not been exposed to temperatures above 115-118 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything that is heated above this temperature is said to lose many of its nutrients and becomes toxic to the body. Studies show that toxins speed up the aging process and contribute to many age related diseases. Thus the raw food diet is the best diet if you want to remain youthful.

The Variations

There are several different variations of the raw food diet, and all of them promote eating raw organic foods for at least 75% of the time. The rest of the 25% you may cook your foods, but you should refrain from processed foods whenever possible, as they are very toxic to the body. If you cannot find organic, then you will have to settle for conventional produce, but just make sure to thoroughly wash them before consuming.

Raw Vegan. The raw vegan diet is the most popular and it requires that you eliminate all animal products from your diet. The diet promotes a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts and seeds, as well as a lot of superfoods that you cannot purchase in your local grocery store. Instead you have to go to your local health food store, or make your purchase online.

Raw Vegetarian. This diet promotes the same foods as the vegan diet, but it also allows you to consume dairy and dairy products such as raw cheese, raw yogurt and raw butter, as well as eggs and honey.

However, the thought of eating eggs does not go well with some raw vegetarians, and thus they only stick with the dairy, honey and plant-based foods. And others don’t have a problem with eating eggs, but they do not like the thought of consuming dairy, and so they eat everything else but the dairy.

Raw Omnivore. The raw omnivore diet allows you to eat anything that you want, as long as you eat at least 75% of your foods raw, and stay away from processed foods. This means that you can eat raw meats, eggs and dairy products.

Just make sure that when you eat raw meats or other raw animal products that they are from organic sources such as free range and grass-fed animals. Studies show that animals that are grass-fed do not contain as many harmful bacteria as those that are fed grains and raised on animal farms.

Best Natural Sweeteners

Granulated sugar is the most popular sweetener that is around. But studies are coming out that show how dangerous it is to the overall health of the body. Therefore many new sweeteners have been developed and are starting to become popular. There are many unhealthy, zero calorie sweeteners, but there are also many natural sweeteners, that are much healthier in moderation.

Honey

Honey has been used to sweeten things long before sugar and other sweeteners came on the scene. Honey is naturally made by bees from the nectar they collect from different flowers. It is available raw as well as pasteurized. Read More...

Fast Weight Loss Diet Plans that Work

There so many weight loss diet plans out there today, that it can be difficult to decide which diet to go on and get the results hoped for. There is no time to waste trying to find a diet that will work, especially when one wants to lose weight fast. Here are some brief descriptions of weight loss diet plans that are guaranteed to take the weight off when followed correctly.

The Juice Diet

The juice diet (also known as a juice fast), is one of the quickest and safest ways to lose weight. The diet requires that only fresh fruit and vegetable juices are consumed for a period of at least 7 days. However, if it gets too hard after a day or so, then the diet should be stopped immediately. Read More...

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Diet

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are non-life threatening illnesses, but nevertheless, they can destroy the quality of life that was once enjoyed by those who suffer from it. There are no medical cures for the illnesses, but following a proper diet can help to alleviate the symptoms, and in many cases even cure the illnesses altogether. Here are some foods that will help with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

Energizing Foods

Both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue rob the patients of their energy. Therefore it is important to consume foods that will naturally help to raise the energy levels. These are foods that are high in fiber such as fruits and vegetables as well as nuts, seeds and herbs. Simple carbs or sugary foods and drinks should be avoided as they only provide a temporary rush of energy, which then causes the body’s energy levels to crash. Read More...

What Causes Body Odor

Body odor is widely associated with sweating, because every time we sweat we tend to develop body odor. But did you know that body odor is not caused by sweating, and that sweat by itself is actually odorless?

So then what causes body odor to occur, if it is not sweat? 

The answer is simple, sweat only brings out what is already on the inside of the body. If we have a lot of toxins built up on the inside, they will cause body odor to occur once they are brought out through the surface of the skin. These toxins are the number one cause of all diseases, so sweating is actually good for you, because the more you sweat, the more toxins will be released. Read More...

What is Holistic Weight Loss

Holistic weight loss primarily focuses on healing the body and mind, rather than on the weight loss process. The different methods that are used in holistic weight loss have been proven to be effective, as they work together, and can help the individual to lose excess weight and keep it off in the long run. The methods include a healthy diet, plenty of fluids, cleansing, meditation and exercise.

A healthy diet is very important when it comes to weight loss, and any holistic program will focus on promoting a healthy diet. These diets often are referred to as detox diets, which include the raw food diet, fruit flush, juice diet and a green smoothie diet. The fruit flush, green smoothie diet and juice diet are only temporary diets, but the raw food diet can provide the body with all the necessary nutrients to make it a permanent part of one’s lifestyle.

Specific cleanses are also used in holistic weight loss, as they can help the body to regain its efficiency in eliminating wastes from the body. A colon cleanse is one of the most beneficial cleanses, as that will open the door to cleansing other organs, tissues and blood cells as well.

Plenty of fluids such as water, herbal teas or freshly made fruit juices can help to wash out the toxins from the colon and other parts of the body. Fiber is also essential, as it is able to lock itself onto the toxins within the colon and digestive tract and carry it out of the body before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. In general, fruits and vegetables, herbs and nuts and seeds are high in fiber, which helps to prevent and eliminate buildup.

According to studies, once the body has been cleansed, other weight loss efforts or methods will be much more effective, as the waste material can now leave the body in a timely fashion without being absorbed. When it does get absorbed into the body, then those toxins get encased in fat cells, which then contributes to weight gain, and makes it nearly impossible for the individual to lose weight.

No weight loss program is complete without exercise, as it not only helps in cleaning out toxins, but it also helps to build more muscle mass, which in turn can help to burn more fat cells. The amount of exercise, as well as the type of exercise will depend on what each individual is able to do.

Balancing the mind is another effective strategy in holistic weight loss. This basically is done through meditation, hypnosis and other relaxation techniques. Whatever method is chosen, it can help to erase negative thoughts, bad eating habits and other destructive habits that can interfere with weight loss.

Connection Between the Acai Berry Colon Cleanse and Weight Loss

Acai alone, is not a magic solution to all health problems, but when combined with a healthy diet and sensible exercise routine, it can offer many health benefits to the body. And using an acai berry colon cleanse can help anyone to achieve their weight loss goals more efficiently.

Acai grows naturally on tall palms in the rain forests of South and Central America. The berries are a deep purple, and resemble the blueberry on the outside. The inside however, contains a pit that makes up about 80% of the fruit. The fruit tends to go rancid rather quick after harvesting, and as a result it is immediately frozen, processed into juice, or freeze dried and sold in dry powder or capsule forms. Read More...

Garlic and Avocado Parasite Killer

This is a recipe that I vow to make a permanent part of my life. Okay due to the garlic, I might only have it once a week or at least ease up on the garlic a bit. I figure if it can help me to eliminate parasites, then it can also help to prevent them in the future.

You might not want to try this, especially after you look at the ingredients, but really it is not that bad. The avocado, lemon and spices help to take away the taste of the garlic. The only thing that you will have to deal afterwards, is the garlic breath. If you are unsure about adding that much garlic, or that much of the spices, then you can start with a small amount and work your way up to the amount that you like. I like to eat this as it is, but you could probably add it in with other foods as well. Read More...

Agave Nectar A Natural Sweetener

Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that is produced from several different species of agave plants that are grown commercially in the deserts of Mexico. The plants take between 8 to 10 years to grow until they are ready for harvesting, and once fully matured, they can only be used once.

The sap is collected and heated at very low temperatures so that the sugars can break down into fructose. But due to the low temperatures, the enzymes are kept alive, and thus agave nectar is considered to be a natural sweetener.

Agave nectar has a long shelf life up to 12 months, and it will not crystallize in the bottle the way that honey does. Read More...

Coffee May Help Prevent Age Related Dementia

Coffee may not be all that bad, according to a study done by Swedish and Danish researchers. The study, which was carried out for 21 years was done on about 1400 men and women. According to the study, the risk of age-related dementia was reduced by a whopping 65% in those who drank three to five cups of coffee per day. The researchers were unsure as to what exactly in coffee reduced the risks, but they believe that it may have something to do with the antioxidants contained in the coffee.

Protection for the Brain Cells

Another study that was done showed that coffee has the ability to strengthen the blood brain barrier (BBB). This barrier is responsible for protecting the brain cells from toxins that circulate around the brain. Read More...

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is one of my favorite drinks on a cold day, or any other day. Not only is it cheap and easy to make, it also tastes great! 

Ginger tea improves blood circulation, which helps to keep the body warm. It is a great home remedy for many illnesses. Here are some of my favorite ginger tea recipes. Read More...

How to Raise Good Cholesterol Levels

There are two types of cholesterol levels known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is the good cholesterol, and the LDL is bad cholesterol. It is the bad that usually needs to be lowered, and the good that needs to be raised.

When raising the good cholesterol, the bad cholesterol is automatically lowered. This is because the good cholesterol comes along and rounds up the bad cholesterol, and helps to eliminate it from the body.

Raising the good cholesterol can be done naturally by making small dietary and lifestyle changes.

Avoid Saturated and Trans Fats

Saturated and trans-fats are the culprits that caused your bad cholesterol levels to skyrocket in the first place. Therefore, by reducing them, or avoiding them altogether, you will naturally be able lower the bad cholesterol, and thereby raise the good cholesterol.

Saturated fats are found particularly in red meat, pork and poultry, dairy and dairy products, eggs, and many processed foods. Trans-fats are often found in many processed foods. Always read the labels to ensure that the foods you buy do not contain those fats, or at least in very low amounts.

Increase Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that the body needs in order to function properly. These are the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and they can be found naturally in foods such as avocados, coconuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts and flax seeds.

Add More Fiber

Adding more fiber to the diet will also help to raise the good cholesterol. Fiber is found in plant-based foods such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, broccoli, carrots, celery, and nuts and seeds. Basically anything that grows from the ground is high in fiber.

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to help raise the good cholesterol levels. It helps the body to break into a sweat, which naturally helps to eliminate toxins and fat cells from the body. In addition, engaging in regular exercise and eating a healthy diet helps to maintain a healthy weight, which is also essential in raising the good cholesterol.

Reduce Stress

Studies show that reducing stress can also have an impact on the cholesterol levels. Getting plenty of rest, learning to meditate and eating lots of leafy greens can help to eliminate or reduce stress.

Avoid Stimulants

Coffee, alcohol and cigarettes are stimulants that can interfere with the cholesterol levels, and avoiding or at least reducing them will help to raise the good cholesterol levels.

Exercise Tips for Fibromyalgia

Those who suffer from fibromyalgia may not feel like exercising, mainly because they are fatigued and in so much pain. But engaging in moderate exercises suitable for each individual, can help to alleviate the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. Here are some tips for those just starting out.

Starting at Own Level

It is very important that each individual starts at their own level in order to prevent further injury.

Fibromyalgia affects everyone differently, and the symptoms may vary from patient to patient. For some the pain will be widespread over the body, and for others the pain will be in a specific location. Read More...

Differences Between Sea Salt and Table Salt

In reality there is not much of a difference between sea salt and table salt, as both of them are primarily made up of sodium and chloride. However, there are some small differences between the two salts that have caused many health conscious individuals to switch to unrefined sea salt.

The two main ingredients in both sea salt and table salt are sodium and chloride, and they are essential for human health when consumed in moderation. Table salt contains as much as 99.9% sodium and chloride, while sea salt can contain up to 98% or less.

Thus the real differences between the two salts are found in the remainder of the ingredients. Table salt contains harmful ingredients such as aluminum based anti-clumping agents, as well as forms of sugars to neutralize the bitterness of the aluminum. Read More...

Why Caffeine Withdrawal Causes Headaches

Caffeine is a popular stimulant that helps people to get up and going in the morning. It helps them to wake up and feel alert, and it increases concentration and productivity. Caffeine however, is very addictive and a withdrawal from it often causes headaches, including severe migraines. The headaches usually occur within 12 to 24 hours from the time the last dose of caffeine was taken, and can last anywhere from three to nine days, depending on how bad the individual is hooked on the caffeine.

According to a study done at the John Hopkins School of Medicine, the headaches occur as a result of changes in the brain’s electrical activity and changes in the blood flow to the brain. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, and thus stopping caffeine increases the blood flow, which is said to be a factor in causing the headaches. Read More...

How To Prevent High Cholesterol

One of the best ways to prevent high cholesterol is to eliminate or at least reduce the intake of unhealthy fats such as saturated and trans-fats. Saturated fats are found in red meat, high-fat dairy and eggs, and trans-fats are often found in processed foods.

When not dealt with, high cholesterol levels can lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, stroke and many other diseases of the cardiovascular system. Read More...