Tips For Your Eyes

Eyes are one of the finest assets which help us see the world in a better manner. With the vision we have found enough ways to nourish it too. Over exertion makes our eyes saggy, covered by dark circles, puffy and tired. With the different ways and means we can protect our eyes and also enhance our vision.

Eyestrain:
A very common problem which causes dullness in your eyes as well as a pain due to continuous strain put on your eyes through TV or your personal computer. This kind of a strain leads to a headache which can be stopped once you switch off your TV or your PC. This mainly happens because your eyes have been over-worked. Other than TV or PC your eyes get strained due to reading, minute work such as embroidering, or sewing.

Self-Care Measures

Have good amount of sleep i.e. at least eight hours.

Lie down in a dimly lit room and apply a cold compress over your eyes. Relax and continue with this process for minimum ten minutes.

Keep taking enough intervals to avoid any strain.

In every half hour you can focus on something in a distance for 1 or 2 minutes to avoid the strain.


Puffy Eyes:
A common reason for our eyes is to go through so much is mainly due to stress. If we avoid stress many of our eye problems will be solved. Puffiness has many causes and some of them are heredity, fluid retention due to weather changes and hormonal imbalance. With minor changes in your routine life you can make a lot of difference to benefit your eyes.

Home Remedies for Puffy Eyes

Raise the head-level of your bed as this would prevent puffiness by avoiding fluid retention around your eyes during your sleep.

You can dip cotton in a mixture of rosewater or milk or almond oil to keep your eyes refreshed

Soak couple of cotton pads in Witch Hazel to be placed on your eyelids. Due to the good starch content, potatoes work greatly to minimize puffiness and redness.

The first thing in the morning you see in the mirror is the puffed eyes. You can use ice, chilled spoons or tea bags on your eyes to get rid of that look.

Lavender oil is another soothing agent which helps to keep your eyes fresh and radiant. Add a drop of this oil in two and a half cup of water. Shake it well before use. You can use two cotton pods as eye pads which are dipped in this solution to be placed on your eyes.

Easiest of all the solution is to wash your face with cold water. This helps in making your face clean and clears your face from any inflammation and also moisturizers it to avoid any eye problems.

You can use egg whites which have been stiffly beaten then add a drop of witch hazel to it. Apply this under your eyes to avoid the puffiness and to keep your skin tighter.

Some of the remedies for dark circles and puffy eyes are similar. You can use these remedies to help clear both the problems.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Author: Kevin Pederson

Healthier Skin Naturally in 7 Days or Less

Many people think that drastic measures are required in order to have flawless, youthful skin. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s possible to have better looking skin starting with things you already have in your home; no cosmetic surgery or expensive makeup required!


Healthy skin is moist and produces adequate amounts of oil from the sebaceous glands, producing a natural “glow.” Plump skin cells fit together like a carefully constructed mosaic, where each one has its own place. When skin cells dry out, however, they begin to lift and separate at an angle, giving skin a dull, flaky look that makes the skin appear older.


The two main causes for dry skin are :
1. environmental factors (weather, chemicals, the use of the wrong personal care products) and

2. poor diet.

In order to look great on the outside, you must first treat yourself right from within. A regular balanced diet is the number one defense against wrinkles, outbreaks and dry skin conditions. However, certain foods have properties that are most important for that glow that we crave. Here we’ll talk a bit about some of these foods, and you’ll see how quickly you can achieve radiant skin without breaking the bank.


Most moisture for your skin is provided through your bloodstream. The bloodstream is responsible for pumping nutrients and minerals into your system which are carried through that moisture. Without being properly hydrated, nutrients and minerals in your bloodstream may never reach your skin, making them useless in keeping your skin youthful. The oil that your skin produces is not directly responsible for moisturizing, but instead helps to keep moisture in. An inadequate amount of oil will allow excessive evaporation or the moisture in your skin, allowing it to dry out quickly.


1. Foods rich in protein are essential for skin regeneration and repair. Not just any protein will do. The Atkins diet, which boasts of it low carb dieting results, allows for many types of protein that can cause damage to your skin. Any kind of processed meat, such as bacon, hot dogs or deli meats are loaded with preservatives and salt that will do nothing but pull moisture from your skin. Better sources of protein would include seafood (salmon in particular is a very good choice), lean fowl (turkey, chicken) and vegetable protein. Veggie protein is often overlooked, as American society is accustomed to “meat with every meal.” Try tofu or beans as a high quality protein source. Morningstar Farms makes an excellent veggie burger that even meat lovers would crave if given a try!


2. Another healthy practice is to eat lots of raw foods every day. Canned and frozen vegetables may provide some nutrients, but only raw veggies and fruits will contain the enzymes necessary to prevent free radical damage. If you absolutely must cook vegetables, steam them lightly and eat al dente.


3. Certain vitamins and minerals are crucial to youthful skin, including sulfur. In its natural form from foods such as garlic, onions, eggs and asparagus, sulfur with help to keep skin smooth and youthful. You can also take an L-systeine supplement which will also provide adequate amounts of sulfur for healthy skin. A lack of either Vitamin A or B can make your skin chapped or cracked. Beta-carotene is as good for your skin as it is for your eyes. Don’t limit yourself to carrots; any type of yellow or orange vegetable is loaded with them. Good examples are squashes and peppers.


4. Alpha-hydroxy acids are responsible for keeping your skin pH balanced. You can get them from foods such as apples, grapes, blackberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes and milk. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) found in fish (especially salmon), dark leafy vegetables (kale, collards, dandelions) and flax seeds are also extremely important for your skin. Lactic acid helps to improve your skin’s moisture content, while glycolic acid removes dead skin cells that make your skin look dry and flaky. Eating foods containing these two EFAs will assist in healthy, glowing skin.


5. If you’re willing to spend a little (just a little), there are a couple of supplements that will powerboost your healthy eating habits. If you find that you can only take one supplement, let it be Vitamin E. It prevents the formation of free radicals and helps repair skin cells damaged from scrapes, burns and bruises. Aloe Vera is another skin healer as well as moisturizer, and can be used topically from the aloe plant, or consumed as a juice found in supermarkets and health food stores. Kelp is an excellent source of nutrients due to its absorption from sea water and is available in several forms.


6. Junk foods should especially be avoided when trying to maintain healthy skin. Eliminating soda, sugar and other empty-calorie foods will not only improve your skin’s appearance, but will help take off the extra pounds. Fried foods are especially bad, because hot-processed oils (such as those found in the supermarket) actually create free radicals and can destroy that look you’ve been working so hard for. Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided, as these and other types of diuretics make the body lose fluids and essential minerals, which dries out your skin.


7. Each of these foods and supplements are easy to find in your local supermarket or health store, and will cost you much less than the myriad of skin care products which promise unrealistic results. In just a few days, you’ll notice that your skin will begin to produce adequate amounts of oil naturally, and will no longer show signs of being dull, scaly, flaky or tight. Chapping and cracking during the winter will be much less likely to occur as well. Most importantly, these tips will help you to slow down the effects of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots, enlarged pores and sagging skin.

Aloe Vera - The Miracle Plants

Aloe Vera is a plant of many surprises and wonders. Whether you use it as vital ingredient in beauty products or it is consumed as dietary supplement. Aloe Vera is a hot fertile region plant, but now it is cultivated in most part of the world. Aloe is a member of the lily family although it looks more of a cactus. It has been used for its medicinal purposes since the ancient times, but only recently has it enjoyed a rediscovery and subsequent popularity explosion.

There are over 200 varieties of aloes, but it is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) plant, which has been of most use to mankind because of the medicinal properties it displays. Aloe Vera contains over 75 known active ingredients including a wide range Vitamins, antioxidant, minerals, calcium, essential Amino Acids, Sugars, Digestive Enzymes, Anti-inflammatory Enzymes, Plant Sterols, Lignin, Saponins, Anthraquinones and more. Aloe Vera contains many components, including vitamins A, B, C, and E. Aloe has a massive amount of minerals and enzymes, however not its entire component has been identified yet.

Nowadays, although medicines and drugs can be very effective in treating ailments, long term use often involves side effects for patients. Consequently more consumers and scientists are turning back to look at more traditional, and often natural therapies which have been neglected for so long. As a result, Aloe Vera is once again attracting attention as it can provide many benefits to our health and lifestyle without any side effects.

BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

Ancient records show that the benefits of Aloe Vera have been known to mankind for centuries. Its therapeutic advantages and healing properties have survived more than 5000 years.

By using the aloe vera juice a person can get the benefits of aloe vera’s ability to aid in digestion, improve circulation, detoxify and heal from the inside. Aloe Vera juice can be a part of a person’s daily healthy regimen because it is safe to take everyday. If Aloe is taken internally, it increases the actual amount of our bile. It affects the small intestines and stimulates the muscular coat of the large intestine thus causing purging in about fifteen hours. Aloes also help increase the menstrual flow, since it belongs to the group of emmenagogues. Aloes have Aloin present used for therapeutic purposes. This causes less pain. It is a preferable drug for many forms of constipation. Continuous use of it does not lead to enlarging the dose to take.

Aloe’s benefits to our health include, helping to lower the blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. Aloe Vera is a strong laxative that may have some anti-cancer effects to humans. It is now being studied as a treatment for asthma.

USES OF ALOE VERA

Aloe Vera is commonly used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and echzema. It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation. Scientific evidence on the effects of Aloe vera sap on wound healing is contradictory. A study showed that the healing of a moderate to severe burn was sped up by six days when covering the wound on a regular basis with aloe vera gel, compared to the healing of the wound covered in a gauze bandage. In contrast, another study suggested wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal.

Many cosmetic companies add sap or products derived from Aloe Vera to products such as makeup, shampoos, soaps, moisturisers, sunscreens and lotions. Aloe gel is alleged to be useful for dry skin conditions, especially eczema around the eyes and sensitive facial skin and for treating fungal infections.Aloe vera has very good results in skin diseases and it is often taken as health drink. Aloe Vera is also found effective in treating wrinkles, stretch marks and pigmentations. Where as auravedic practitioners are in the favor of use of Aloe Vera. According to them Aloe vera has very good role in diabetic. Aloe vera is found to have smaller molecular structure and cutting properties. This help breaking down fat globules, therefore reducing obesity. Medical properties of Aloe vera are still on debate, but the beauty properties are highly accepted by the world.

Aloe Vera is also known to have certain medical properties. Aloe vera drink is used as a tonic for patient suffering from arthritis, diabetes and high cholesterol. This is because of the dietary supplement properties, which help in healing like anti fungal, anti oxidant, anti bacterial and some other properties. It is found to boost the immune system. The transparent gel that is found inside its leaf is used as a domestic emergency treatment in burns, injuries and solar erithema, also it is applied externally on hemorrhoids and foe a good cicatrisation. Aloe Vera contains at least two active compounds that decrease the levels of sugar in the blood and its extract is also used in patients with hypoglycemia. Its juice is consumed as prevention and treatment of many gastric disorders. The efficiency of Aloe Vera in the treatment of burns is due because it has a similar structure as aspirin, that in combination with magnesium have an anesthetic effect and because of its antimicrobian composition it helps for the hygiene of the burns, avoiding a possible infection.

Evening Primrose Oil

Recently there has been a major buzz in the herbal and
Natural products market about Evening Primrose. I would
like to give you a general overview, history, and benefits
of the product.

The botanical name for the evening primrose plant is
Oenothera Biennis, belonging to the plant family Onagraceae.
Other common names are The Fever Plant, Field Primrose,
King's Cureall, Night Willow-herb, Scabish, Scurvish,
Sundrop, Tree Primrose. It is found throughout North
America, east of the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.
It got its name Evening Primrose from the unusual time that
it opens its bud, which is normally around six to seven in
the evening.

The plant, when taken internally has been used to treat a
very large variety of ailments, however the most general
and widely sought after effects are for the following:
Menopausal symptoms, depression, spasmodic asthma, lower
blood pressure, lower cholesterol, relieve menstrual
cramping, stimulate digestion, stimulate liver and spleen.
When used externally it has also been used to treat rashes
and minor skin irritations.

The suggested dosage is generally 2 x 500mg per day, but
it has been shown that double that is considered much
more effective.

This product should be avoided by some people because its
effects may interfere with their health. People taking
blood thinning products, people with epilepsy. Although
not indicated on many bottles, it is suggested that women
who are pregnant should avoid it due to possible hormone
effects.

You should be able to purchase Evening Primrose for near
12-15 Dollars US, for 100 500mg capsules.

What Is Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the art and science of treating illnesses through essential oils and/or inhaling herbal mixtures. The sense of smell or olfactory senses are the quickest path to the brain. Once the scent molecules pass the brain, it enters the bloodstream through the lining in our lungs. Once the molecules enter the bloodstream they influence the nervous systems, adrenal glands, stomach, intestines, heart rate, circulatory, and immune systems. Now the scent molecules also stimulate or relax emotions, attitude, energy level, sex drive, concentration, memory and other brain activity. All of that from smelling scents that we already know.

Essential oils used in ancient Egyptian times had many purposes. Burial, spiritual, medical and perfume are just some of their uses. The word perfume comes from the Latin phrase “through the smoke”. Egyptians closed themselves in small rooms and burnt herbs and oils to cover their body odor. This is where incense came from. The Egyptians also noticed that the scented smoke had medicinal purposes also.

Rene- Maurice Gattefosse was a French chemist who coined the phrase Aromatherapy. It was actually an accident; He burned his hand then confused a bowl of water with a bowl of Lavender oil. Instead of a bad chemical reaction, he learned that the lavender oil healed the burn quicker and left less scarring. This launched his research in Essential oils and Aromatherapy.


The process of distillation is used to extract essential oils from grasses, leaves, trees, roots, and flowers. Some oils require a lot of raw material to make a small amount of oil, and then other oils are easier and less expensive to produce. Therefore, if oil has a higher price, and a few are quite expensive, then that means that particular oil is difficult to harvest and distill.

A headache is relieved with essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Lavender, Feverfew, Chamomile and Marjoram. You could place a few drops of any of these oils in a diffuser or aroma lamp to keep your home or workplace headache free. Many homeopathic doctors prescribe the herb feverfew for migraines. In addition, valerian root, hops and lavender, which are all sedatives and muscle relaxers for those tense stressed out, neck muscles. Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and helps control high blood pressure, common cause of migraines and headaches

Who has kids? Most huh well you will need to pay attention here. Take out the aroma lamp and diffuser; put 6 drops of lavender, four of chamomile, and three of sandlewood or cedar wood. Turn it on and watch your house hold calm down almost immediately. You can also place chamomile or lavender in a small pillow and place it in your children’s bed. It is safe, pleasant; the child gets a better, more rejuvenating sleep.

Jasmine also has a sedative quality as well as Patchouli.
Cinnamon bark is neat oil. It is warm, calming, spicy and comforting. There have been surveys conducted about the effect that the scent of cinnamon has on men, for example. Most men stated that the smell of cinnamon reminds them of grandma’s kitchen, thus bringing on a feeling of love. However, it also helps women with cramps, regulates menstrual cycle, and even gives us a little boost in our love lives.

Cinnamon also can be used for insect bites, treat infections and is used in cough elixirs. Be careful, cinnamon can irritate your skin if not diluted properly. There are some oils (like lavender, tea tree, and patchouli) can be applied directly to the skin with no dilution. To be safe I would dilute 2-4 drops of essential oil to 1 tsp. (5ml) of carrier oil. Carrier oils allow safe absorption into the skin and calms some of the more potent oils.

Aromatherapy is the idea that through the senses of touch and smell the body can achieve harmony between mind, body, and spirit. Balance is important today due to the Contamination of chemicals in our world as shown in the ozone alerts. Today’s stress, busy schedules, full houses and all of the everyday problems, which have become part of our hectic existence. Aromatherapy is a healthy, easy, inexpensive way to naturally heal your mind and body.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is a Breast Cancer Awareness Month..so i want to contribute something especially to all the people i concern, my family, my friends and all of you out there that this is a really serious disease that can affected anybody...if you want to know more about this ..please read the article below and please spread it out to others..that is the least that i can do for the society...


Breast cancer
Encyclopedia of Medicine by Carol A. Turkington

Definition
Breast cancer is the abnormal growth and uncontrolled division of cells in the breast. Cancer cells can invade and destroy surrounding normal tissue, and can spread throughout the body via blood or lymph fluid (clear fluid bathing body cells) to start a new cancer in another part of the body.

Description
Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. If she lives to be 85, there is a one out of nine chance that she will develop the condition sometime during the rest of her life. As a woman ages, her risk of developing breast cancer rises dramatically regardless of her family history. The breast cancer risk of a 25-year-old woman is only one out of 19,608; by age 45, it is one in 93. In fact, 80% of all breast cancers are found in women over age 50.

Causes & symptoms
There are a number of risk factors for the development of breast cancer, including:

Family history of breast cancer in mother or sister
Early onset of menstruation and late menopause
Reproductive history: women who had no children or have children late in life and women who have never breastfed have increased risk
History of abnormal breast biopsies.
However, more than 70% of women who get breast cancer have no known risk factors. While a breast cancer gene was discovered in 1994, only about 5% of breast cancers are believed to be related to the gene.

In addition, some studies suggest that high fat diets, bottle feeding instead of breastfeeding, or using alcohol may contribute to the risk profile. Some studies have also found that for certain women, hormone replacement therapy may contribute to the development of breast cancer. However, these findings have been criticized.

It is important to realize that not all lumps detected in the breast are cancerous. Many are benign and require only the removal of the lump. While having several risk factors may boost a woman's chances of having breast cancer, the interplay of factors is complex. The best way to assess breast cancer risk is by doing monthly self examinations to detect any lump at an early stage. The second is to have a regular mammogram, an x ray of the front and side of the breast that will detect cysts or tumors at the earliest possible stage. Seeking risk assessment consultation at one of the many breast cancer centers located throughout the United States is also helpful.

The changes in the breast that may be a sign of breast cancer include:

Lump or thickening in breast or armpit
Changes in a nipple (thickening, pulling in, bleeding or discharge)
Dimpled or reddened skin over the breast
Change in size or shape
Abnormality on a mammogram.

Diagnosis
More than 90% of all breast cancers are detected by mammogram (a low-dose x ray of the breast). Mammograms should be done to evaluate a suspicious lump. Screening mammograms should be ordered according to the doctor's guidelines. Despite the controversy about the cost-effectiveness of mammograms for women in their 40s, most doctors agree with the current American Cancer Society guidelines that recommend screening mammograms every year or two for women between 40 and 49, and every year after age 50. Women with a family history of breast cancer may want to have a mammogram every year after age 40.

Nutrition Tips To Fight Acne

Clogged pores are where bacteria feed to produce inflammation, which results in pimples. Washing your face cannot treat a condition that develops primarily under the skin. The effects of having acne vulgaris can be long-term if untreated. If the condition is severe, there is a chance for permanent scars to form. Most teenagers have trouble dealing with the way they feel when they have break-outs. Social situations are avoided at all costs to prevent the embarrassment of a flawed appearance. Some people go as far as missing school because of the appearance of acne vulgaris. Severe depression could also result from unhappiness with the appearance of their skin. Self-esteem and self-worth seem to diminish completely unless their skin is absolutely flawless.


The actual cause of acne is still not really understood. Some believe it lies in genetics. Others believe it is a combination of factors such as androgens, allergies, stress, or the use of certain mediations. Natural practitioners tend to believe it is a result of nutritional deficiencies, and toxins in the body that can cause the liver to dysfunction.

One popular myth about acne is that tanning will clear it. It may seem so at first, but soon you will notice that your tanned skin becomes less pliable, making it less able to shed oil and dead skin cells, which clog your pores. Your acne will become worse, not better.

Prescription topical medicines can result in side effects, the skin may look worse for a while before hopefully improving. Other side effects include stinging, burning, redness, peeling, scaling or discoloration of the skin. Similarly some prescription oral medicines can have side effects such as increased tendency to sunburn, upset stomach, dizziness or light-headedness & changes in skin color. Also some drugs decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills making it necessary to use a backup birth control method.

Acne isn't really helped by the sun, either. Although a suntan can temporarily make acne look less severe, it won't help it go away permanently. So don't soak up those rays - either under the sun or from a tanning bed - in an effort to help your skin.

Although there are some topical skin care products and medications that can improve mild scarring and acne problems, almost all of them are artificial and invasive methods. For example, acne scars usually are treated with a combination of surgical procedures and skin resurfacing. On the other hand, natural products only have natural ingredients and biological substances. Such is the case with tea tree oil, green tea extract, Vitamin E, rapeseed oil, Aloe vera, and some of the essential oils, which had long been proven to act upon blemishes on the skin.


About the Author
The author, Sarah Rhodes, suffered from acne for many years before finally discovering a cure that works. You can read about her and learn the secret home acne treatment that is guaranteed to work without doctors, prescriptions, or over-the-counter products. Please visit Sarah's blog: natural-acne-cure.info

An Udderly Ridiculous Home Remedy

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?
That’s what I recently asked myself. Myths and legends often have their basis in a grain of truth. So I wondered if home remedies, alternative treatments, and folklore cures might also be based on truth. A little research provided these astounding results!

Itching For A Cure
Edward Jenner is widely credited as the father of the smallpox vaccination. However, twenty years earlier in 1774, a quick-thinking English farmer named Benjamin Jesty saved his family from smallpox using some pretty unorthodox methods.

Waiting Until The Cows Come Home
In 1774 the highly infectious and deadly smallpox disease was epidemic. Farmer Jesty, immune to the disease because he had survived it in childhood, feared for the lives of his pregnant wife and children. Many country folk knew that people who had previously caught the milder disease of cowpox from an infected cow did not catch the normally-fatal smallpox disease.

A Desperate Plan
Frantic to find a solution before his family caught the disease, Jesty took his family to a nearby farm where cows were infected with cowpox. He injected his family with diseased cowpox cells from the cows. Because vacca is Latin for cow, this procedure later became known as vaccination.

This Isn’t Bull
A mild cowpox disease came and went in the children. His pregnant wife had complications and required the aid of the local doctor. His family did not catch the deadly smallpox disease, but word leaked out. Poor Jesty was ridiculed by his neighbors, who expected his family to turn into cows, or at least grow horns!

Edward Jenner was a tireless crusader in promoting the benefits of smallpox vaccination. However, it was a desperate farmer who used his quick wit and country folklore to save his family 20 years earlier.

Regardless of whom history credits, this home remedy definitely rates as a fact rather than a quack!

What do you think? Maybe you have a tried and tested remedies that you would like to share with us? Come and write it here..

10 Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips

10 Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips



Grocery shopping is something we all have to do, even though choosing the right foods can be very hard indeed. To assist you with your healthy grocery shopping, the tips below can indeed help make things easier than ever before:

1. Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.

2. Select canned fruits and tuna that are packed in water, not oil or syrup.

3. Look at the labels for the words "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated". The earlier you see them appear on the list, the higher the amount of unhealthy trans fatty acids the food will contain.

4. Don't buy chicken with the skin on it, and if you plan to buy chicken - buy a chicken breast meal.

5. When you select frozen dinners, select those that are not only low in fat, but low in sodium and cholesterol as well.

6. If you aren't consuming enough dairy products, go with calcium fortified orange juice instead.

7. Go for whole grain breads, cereals, and rolls.

8. Give cantaloupe a try. With just 95 calories, half of the melon will provide more than a day's supply of Vitamin C and beta carotene.

9. Don't be tricked into buying yogurt covered by nuts or raisins, as the coating is normally made of sugar and partially hydrogenated oils.

10. Get some of the low fat treats, such as pretzels, ginger snaps, and angel food cake.

By following the above tips when grocery shopping, you'll avoid the bad foods and get those that you need. There are many different healthy foods at the grocery store, all it takes is the will power to go past the bad foods and on to the good ones.

Why Are Antioxidant Supplements So Important?

You've probably heard a lot about antioxidants lately: in the newspaper, in magazines, and on T.V. While many supplements and nutrients have been talked about for as long as you can probably remember, antioxidant supplements are a more recent topic. Don't let this fool you into thinking they're any less important. Antioxidants are a vital part of staying young and healthy. But why are they so important?

First of all, we need to know what an antioxidant is. During normal processes, molecules called free radicals are produced in the body. These are basically unstable atoms or molecules that desperately want to become stable. They do this by stealing electrons from healthy cells, making them unstable and less healthy. Antioxidants reverse this reaction, helping to keep the cells of our body healthy and functioning properly.

One of the most talked about effects of antioxidants is their anti aging properties. As we age, we constantly copy our cells to replace them when they die. Errors in copying occur and build up to form the aging process. Free radicals can also interfere and have been shown to promote wrinkles, memory problems, weakness of the immune system, and reduced elasticity of tissue; all of which are associated with the aging process. We can't completely stop aging, but proper amounts of antioxidants and/or antioxidant supplements can slow the process considerably.

Damage caused by these free radicals is also considered to be a cause of certain cancers. Getting more antioxidants can reduce our risk for certain types of cancer, including cancer of the: stomach, prostate, colon, breast, bladder esophagus, pancreas, and possibly many more. Besides cancer, antioxidants have been shown to help prevent other serious problems, such as: cardiovascular diseases, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and vision problems. It is likely that antioxidants can help prevent other diseases and disorders, but their full effects simply haven't been studied yet.

Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol. When this type of cholesterol oxidizes, it can attach to the walls of blood vessels causing heart disease. This increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. Oxidized cholesterol also contributes to the hardening of blood vessel walls increasing the risk of high blood pressure. Antioxidants can help keep your heart and the rest of your circulatory system healthy.

Another great benefit of antioxidants is that they help boost the immune system. If you get sufficient levels of antioxidants, you're not only less likely to get sick; it's also easier for you to fight off diseases you may get. Along these lines, antioxidants can also help you heal faster when you have an injury; large or small.

So what are you waiting for? Today is the best day to start eating right or taking antioxidant supplements to get more of these wonderfully healthy antioxidants.

8 Healthy Breakfast Tips

A lot of studies and research has shown that kids who eat breakfast perform better in school and have a healthier diet. Eating breakfast will help promote the proper growth and maximize school performance as well. Breakfast is often times a victim of the morning time crunch. Even though you may be tempted to skip breakfast, you can simplify your morning routine by following these 8 tips:

1. Finish homework and pack school bags at night.

2. Decide on what your children will wear to school before you go to bed and locate lost shoes for the following day.

3. In the morning, get up 15 minutes earlier.

4. Give up computer games and morning television.

5. Have healthy foods on hand. You should also shop for breakfast foods with your kids and take into account their personal preferences.

6. Set the cereal out the night before. For younger children, fill a zippered plastic bag with her portion, then add the milk in the morning.

7. Allow your children to use the microwave often, as most breakfast foods can be prepared in under 5 minutes.

8. Allow your kids to eat in the car or on the way to school.

There are several foods that you can eat for breakfast, even leftovers from supper if they are sufficient. You can eat bagels, pizza with fruit juice, pretzels, or the normal bacon and eggs that breakfast is known for. Most foods are a snap to prepare, and won't take you but a few minutes.The next time you are in a hurry in the morning, remember that you are probably about to skip the most important meal of the day. If you follow the tips above, you'll find that you have plenty of time for breakfast

Tips To Help Keep Your Kids Eating Healthy

Fast food is a big part of modern life these days, making it very hard to teach a child how he or she should eat healthy. The cheapest and easiest foods are those that are normally the least healthy. If you give your child the choice between healthy food and junk food, you normally won't like the results.Even though it isn't possible to get a child to like all healthy foods, there are some ways to get your child to try and hopefully like at least a few of them. You can be as creative as you like, as getting kids to eat healthy foods can be a little harder than you may think.
- Sneak the healthy food in.
Even though it would be great if your kid understood the importance of fruits and vegetables, this isn't always possible. If you can't get them to eat good food willingly, there are ways to sneak them in, such as making muffins out of bananas or apples, or pizza with spinach on it.
- Call fruits and vegetables by funny names.
You can refer to broccoli as "trees", making them more fun to eat. There are many different names you can call fruits and vegetables, even making up your own if you prefer. Most kids prefer to eat foods that sound fun.
- Make the foods taste better.
Ranch dressing is great for broccoli, while peanut butter is a great topping for celery. There are several combinations for vegetables that can make them taste much better. You can let your child pick a topping for a vegetable, even if it's something you wouldn't normally like yourself.
- Dress the vegetables up.
Just as much as calling them names help kids eat healthy foods, making them look funny also helps. You can do this by making funny designs on the plate, or setting them up to look like people.
Although some parents don't like their kids playing with their food, sometimes it helps to get them to eat healthier.There are several ways to make your kids eat healthier, but to make them enjoy it also has to be fun as well. This isn't always an easy task, because kids normally don't like foods that are good for them. It can however, be done with a bit of creativity. Hopefully, doing this will help your child develop a love of healthy foods for the rest of their lives.

17 Tips For Eating Healthy At Restaurants

If you go out to a restaurant to eat, you probably watch your calories very closely. To assist you with your calorie watching when dining out, these tips will help you make the most of it.

1. Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add to your meal.

2. When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either or.

3. Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based sauces. Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted as a vegetable!

4. You should always try to drink water, diet soda, or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain alcohol.

5. If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half of the dessert will equal half of the calories.

6. When you choose a soup, remember that cream based soups are higher in fat and calories than other soups. A soup can be a great appetizer, as most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty fast.

7. When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon. Salsa is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice.

8. When you are full, stop eating. Listen to your body and what it tells you.

9. If you get full, take half of your meal home. The second portion of your meal can serve as a second meal later. This way, you get two meals for the price of one.

10. If you're looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.

11. If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of french fries.

12. Always look for food on the menu that's baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These types of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories.

13. Plain bread or rolls are low in both fat and calories. When you add the butter and oil, you increase the fat and calorie intake.

14. As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals.

15. Choose foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice.

16. If you crave dessert, look for something with low fat, such as berries or fruit.

17. Always remember not to deprive yourself of the foods you truly love. All types of foods can fit into a well balanced diet.

5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Supplement With Extra Vitamin A

Did you know that vitamin A has incredible anti-infective powers, as well as immune-boosting benefits? And if that is not enough to get you up and eating my foods rich in vitamin A, here is more good news:

1. Studies have shown that children who ingest extra vitamin A can get over the measles by as much as 50% faster. These children also show fewer complications as a result of having measles. Vitamin A supplements can also help babies heal faster that are suffering from respiratory infections.

2. Vitamin A can aid in preventing complications that result from certain cancer treatments. When you have cancer and are going through chemotherapy or other radiation treatment, it can dramatically lower your immune system. When this happens, your body is prone to pick up infections and other viruses that are floating around.

When cancer patient treatments are given large doses of vitamin A, their immune system has been reported to raise back to incredibly higher levels. However, sometimes with the good comes the bad. And the “bad” that we are referring to here is that too much vitamin A can also become very toxic. So while these studies are showing very promising results, researchers are still working to find a way to reduce toxic levels of vitamin A while increasing the immune system at the same time with this vitamin.

3. Vitamin A can also be used to treat viral infections. When the body does not have a sufficient amount of vitamin A, it becomes susceptible to different illnesses, especially that of viral infections. If you are suffering from a virus then your best defense is to supplement with extra vitamin A. Be sure that it is in the form of beta-carotene which help reduces possible vitamin A toxic levels.

4. Vitamin A boosts immune cells. Vitamin A taken in large doses of beta-carotene can help increase the amount of infection fighting cells within your immune system. These results are especially beneficial to people that are suffering from dramatically reduced immune system levels, such as AIDS patients and cancer patients.

5. Vitamin A can be found in a variety of healthy foods. While it is acceptable to supplement your diet with vitamin A., your goal should be to try to eat as many foods that are rich in beta-carotene is possible. Such foods include any fruits that are in the color of red, orange, and yellow. Vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene include tomatoes, carrots, and cantaloupe. And do not forget your dark green leafy vegetables. They are very potent and beta-carotene, as well as other nutrients.
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The Healing Power of Cranberry

The cranberry has long been associated with the holiday season, and no Thanksgiving feast would be complete without at least a few cranberry dishes. In addition to the delicious taste of the cranberry, however, this wholesome fruit has many important health benefits as well.

How nutritious is the cranberry?

The cranberry is very high in a number of important nutrients, in particular many important antioxidant vitamins. Nutritionists and other experts all talk about the many benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and cranberries are an excellent way to fit five servings a day of fruits and vegetables into even the busiest lifestyle.

One of the reasons that fruits like the cranberry are so much more effective than packaged vitamin pills is that fruits and vegetables contain a wide variety of nutrients, including the important phytonutrients which have been shown in study after study to lead to increased levels of health and fitness.

Other advantages of the cranberry

In addition to its role in optimizing overall health and fitness, the cranberry is thought to play a role in reducing the occurrence of urinary tract infection. The reason for this effect is thought to be the proanthocyanidins (PACs) contained in cranberries. These PACs have been shown to prevent certain types of bacteria, including dangerous E. coli, from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.

In addition to helping to prevent urinary tract infections, the PACs contained in the cranberry are thought to help prevent gum disease and stomach ulcers, using the same anti-adhesion mechanism.

In addition to these important roles in good health, there is growing evidence that the phytonutrients and antioxidants contained in the cranberry and other fruits may help to protect against a variety of diseases, including such major killers as cancer and heart disease.

Antioxidants gain their healing power through their ability to fight the harmful effects of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are part of the normal processes of the cells of the body, but they can be quite damaging to health. Antioxidants work to mitigate the damage caused by free radicals, and therefore they are thought to play an important role in preventing degenerative diseases and even retarding the aging process.

Fortunately for those who want to include more cranberry products in their diet, these products are plentiful, inexpensive and available all year long. Fresh cranberries are available in many major grocery stores and supermarkets for much of the year, and when they are not available there are plenty of canned and frozen cranberry products to take their place.

In addition to fresh, canned and frozen cranberry, there are a number of excellent cranberry based products on the market. In addition to the cranberry sauce that is part of every traditional Thanksgiving celebration, there is cranberry juice and even cranberry pudding. With all these choices, it is easy to fit more cranberry into just about any diet. And with all the health benefits cranberries contain there is no reason not to enjoy more of this tasty treat.

How To Help Fight Stress With Healthy Eating

Whenever we get too busy or stressed, we all tend to make poor food choices that will actually increase stress and cause other problems. To get the most of your healthy eating and avoid stress, follow these simple tips.

Always eat breakfast -
Even though you may think you aren't hungry, you need to eat something. Skipping breakfast makes it harder to maintain the proper blood and sugar levels during the day, so you should always eat something.

Carry a snack
Keeping some protein rich snacks in your car, office, or pocket book will help you avoid blood sugar level dips, the accompanying mood swings, and the fatigue. Trail mix, granola bars, and energy bars all have the nutrients you need.

Healthy munchies
If you like to munch when you're stressed out, you can replace chips or other non healthy foods with carrot sticks, celery sticks, or even sunflower seeds.

Bring your lunch
Although a lot of people prefer to eat fast food for lunch, you can save a lot of money and actually eat healthier if you take a few minutes and pack a lunch at home. Even if you only do this a few times a week, you'll see a much better improvement over eating out.

Stock your home -
As important as it is to get the bad food out of your house, it's even more important to get the good food in! The best way to do this is to plan a menu of healthy meals at snacks at the beginning of the week, list the ingedients you need, then go shop for it. This way, you'll know what you want when you need it and you won't have to stress over what to eat.

Healthy Eating

People who eat in unhealthy ways have many bad habits in common, but number one on this list is eating when they are not really hungry. Hunger is something that happens when your body needs fuel, and it is the pang we feel in our stomachs when we haven't eaten all day, often accompanied by noises. However, even when your stomach is growling, it is important to remember that most of us have enough body fat to survive for many days.

Hunger is something that is as mental as it is physical, and because of this, dieters must learn to overcome it. Many things occur to make you think that you are hungry. Food is most often prepared in a very appetizing way, especially in restaurants or on television commercials. Food that smells or looks good does not make you hungry, it simply makes you desire food. This goes a long way when you are already eating. If you are dieting, try to stop eating when you feel satisfied, instead of continuing to eat just because the food tastes good.A number of people also "feel hungry" when they are stressed or worried about things in life. The term "comfort food" refers to the foods we eat that make us feel better. This is usually something from our childhood or something that reminds us of a parent. When you eat because you are stressed, you are not eating because you are hungry. Therefore, stress can be a very detrimental thing to your diet. If you are trying to start a healthier lifestyle, try to reduce the stress from your life as well.

People eat when they are not hungry for a variety of other reasons as well. Often times, food is a way to relieve boredom. If you find yourself wondering to the kitchen many times a day for little snacks, this is probably the case. Simply try to stay out of the kitchen. You may also eat when you're not hungry because certain foods are associated with certain events. Popcorn, for instance, is associated with watching a movie, so you may be tempted to buy the jumbo bucket at the theatre even though you may have just eaten a satisfying dinner. There is no easy fix to bad habits that make you eat when you're not hungry-it is simply imperative that you see food as something that can be good for your body at the right times and a harmful drug at other times. The first step in any addictive process is realizing these habits and attempting to stop.