Karma Yoga The Art of Healthy Living

The ancient book of Gita, which is the treatise on the living has led a great stress on the karma. Karma is defined as the action and its fruits. Ancient Hindu saints have believed that a man’s life is the direct result of his karma. Good thoughts, words and deeds lead to good and happy life while bad thoughts, words and deeds lead a person to disaster. This has been postulated in the 18th century by Isaac Newton, who gave his law as “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

The branch of yoga that deals with karma is called as the karma yoga. Usually you are bound by the cravings and desires associated with your act but you can free yourself by doing the act but dissociating yourself from its consequences. This is the basic concept behind karma yoga and the person who follows this path is known as karma yogi. His behaviour is of indifference and while the world may think he is not interested, in reality he has mastered his desires and has developed awareness of the real significance of the events that occur around him.

This yoga involves doing your duty without any reservations but is free of the cravings of the results that are obtained from the act. This attitude is difficult to acquire because we are taught to hanker after the fruits of the labour and any failure to obtain the desired results leads you to frustration and negative thinking. Also, constant attachment to the results leads you to stress, competition and aggressiveness. This has led to increased incidences of stress, diabetes, depression, heart ailments and suicides and has led many youngsters to use drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Hence following the teaching of Krishna in Gita, wherein he advises Arjun: “You are entitled to an action but not its fruits” will lead you to a happy and stress free life.

A karma yogi realizes this and hence he follows the path of detachment. But this does not make him dull or inefficient. On the contrary, he channelizes his entire energy into the tasks at hand with complete vigour as his energy is not dissipated and gives it a best shot. Hence the results of his actions are the best and he gets good fruits. He does not run after pleasure but pleasure follows him. This makes him a pleasant person to be around and thus enjoys success in his life.

Living a Life of Balance An Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine

Excerpted from Dr. Aruna Bakhru's upcoming book entitled "The Guru Principle"

Ayurveda is an ancient and holistic system of medicine, which originated in India more than five thousand years ago. The word Ayu means life (span) and Veda means knowledge i.e. knowledge of life or the science of life. One of the basic tenets of Ayurveda is that life is meant to be lived in balance and in harmony with nature. Illness happens when we move away from a life of balance to excesses or deficiencies of any kind, whether it is the way we eat, sleep, work, exercise, think or feel. Ayurveda believes that one has to live in harmony with the seasons, the time of day, the place you live etc.

According to Ayurveda, people are divided into different body types and if you follow the diet, purification routines, exercises, etc. specific for your body type you can correct many of the problems you may be suffering from.
Ayurveda places a great deal of emphasis on the mind. According to Ayurveda many of our physical problems and imbalances are first created in the mind. Unlike western medicine, which has divorced the mind from the body, Ayurveda says they are seamlessly connected and each affects the other. The place where the mind and the body connect is the place where matter interfaces with energy.

The three Doshas of Ayurveda:
According to Ayurveda, the doshas lie at the place where the mind connects with the body. If the mind and the body are not coordinated, an imbalance is created in the Doshas.
There are three Doshas and they are as follows:
1. Vata corresponds to Air.
2. Pitta corresponds to fire.
3. Kapha corresponds to water.

Each and every person has all the three doshas or principles to varying degrees, but usually one or other is dominant. i.e. if you are a Vata type then the Vata principle is dominant. This is important because your body type governs how you should live and what you should eat to maintain a life of balance.

Vata Dosha:
Corresponds to air, ether.
Function is movement, breathing, and circulation.
Emotions are fear, anxiety, and pain.
Seat of Vata is in the colon, pelvis etc.
The Vata constitution is thin, tall or too short, bony joints, thin eyelashes, sunken eyes, bent nose, variable appetite, tends to constipation, poor sleep, creative, restless, alert, poor willpower and tolerance. Cold hands and feet.

Pitta Dosha
Corresponds to fire and water.
Function is metabolism, digestion, absorption and assimilation.
Emotions are anger, hatred and jealousy.
Seat of Pitta is stomach, small intestine and blood.
Pitta Constitution is medium build, premature graying, medium sleep, warm hands and feet, short tempered, intelligent and ambitious.

Kapha Dosha
Corresponds to water and the earth.
Function is that of cementing material of the body, connective tissue, joint lubrication, and memory retention.
Emotions are greed, attachment, envy, forgiveness, calmness and maternal emotions.
Seat of Kapha is chest, sinuses, ears, nose, throat area, joints etc.
Kapha constitution is solid build, slow, deliberate, good strength and endurance, prolonged sleep, obese, calm, forgiving, loving, greedy and possessive. They are slow to grasp information but once they do they retain it i.e. good memory retention.

According to Ayurveda, the imbalance or disease may originate in the mind in the form of some negative emotion, which affects the doshas, and in turn the body or, it may originate in the body and then affect the mind. Diet and environment are the key causes here affecting the doshas, which in turn can affect the mind. We saw earlier that Vata is connected to fear and anxiety, Pitta to hate and jealousy and Kapha to greed and possessiveness.

Western medical science has not recognized the importance of the relationship between the immune system and the gut. Only now are some people beginning to recognize and label the "leaky gut syndrome" as being the cause of many diseases. Ayurveda recognized this connection five thousand years ago when it talked about disease being caused by accumulation of toxins or "ama" as a result of impairment of the "Agni" (the process of digestion and assimilation). If the agni does not function properly, then the ama accumulates in the intestines and leaks into the circulation and subsequently accumulates in other parts of the body clogging them, impairing their resistance and immunity and causing disease of that organ.

Imbalanced emotions also cause disease by impairing the agni and therefore the immune system. In the Bhagwad Gita, the Lord tells Arjuna that He Himself has become the digestive fire or Agni in the human body, serving to illustrate the importance of agni. I.e. it is the Lord's energy, which is powering the digestive system and thus all the metabolic processes and also strengthening the immune system. Disrespect of your digestive fire by eating the wrong foods or an imbalanced lifestyle is disrespecting the Lord within you and inviting disease.

The Ayurvedic physician usually performs a detailed history and physical examination. The examination includes but is not limited to pulse diagnosis, examination of the tongue, facial diagnosis including the lines and wrinkles of your face, your lips, eyes. Examination of the nails and hair, examination of the urine, feces, sweat etc. examination of the mind and emotions. He may also check your astrological chart as this may predict disease proneness. Modern medicine treats the body as though it is a machine with various parts and each part is treated by a different specialist. The problem with a machine is that you can repair it with spare parts. The human body on the other hand functions as a whole. An Ayurvedic physician tries to assist the body in its attempt to repair itself.

Treatment in Ayurveda consists of: Panchakarma (purification or cleansing of the body), herbs, yoga, mantras, gemstones, color therapy, sound therapy using classical ragas, dietary manipulation to balance the doshas, fasting, meditation etc. Treatment is individualized to the person and not the disease. Whereas in allopathic medicine, two patients with arthritis will usually get the same treatment, its not so in Ayurveda.

Panchakarma is employed to eliminate toxins from the body. Massages using oil and herbs, enemas, nasal purgation and induced vomiting are some of the methods used. I remember as a child being taken by my parents for treatment to a local Ayurveda center and the doctors there would make me drink tons of water then come up from behind and press my upper abdomen and all the water would come out. Although disconcerting at first, I did feel really cleaned out afterwards. However, do not try this at home. It can only be done under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician. Oil or water enemas are used depending on the imbalance present. I would not recommend getting treatment from someone who has taken a two month crash course in Ayurveda. These people can do more harm than good. The idea behind panchakarma is to open the channels and begin getting rid of the accumulated toxins. It can be very effective in getting rid of the chemicals that we are polluting our bodies (and our planet) with, in our so-called modern society.

In Ayurveda, the underlying philosophy is a reverence for all life. Therefore herbs are grown, cultivated and harvested with respect, reverence and purity in mind with the result that the healing effects of such herbs are powerful and in tune with nature. Remember the four sheaths that cover the soul. According to Ayurveda each sheath can be healed with different methods. The physical body can be healed by a vata, pitta or kapha pacifying diet, herbal treatment and yogic exercises. The astral body by the use of herbs, pranayama, color, sound, gemstones magnets (and homeopathy works at this level also). Mantras and meditation reach the causal body.

Healthy Living Fitness and Nutrition The Role of Diet in Health and Fitness

Improving the quality of life through health and nutrition involve following a diet pattern and adequate levels of nutrition to prevent diseases and maintain physical fitness. Issues of malnutrition would be related to deficiencies of vitamins or nutrients and intake of supplements form an important part of disease prevention strategy and helps in improving energy levels (Papers4you.com, 2006). The use of supplements in disease conditions such as high cholesterol levels has been studied to understand the positive and negative impact of dietary supplements on the health of individuals.

For instance, vitamin A deficiency can be a major public health concern and many countries implement strategies to prevent such deficiency cases (Whiting et al, 2006). Vitamin C or ascorbic acid can be detrimental when deficient or in excess and recommended doses of Vitamin C have been given by various countries. Public health authorities across the world encourage individuals to change their health status by adopting new behaviors such as giving up smoking or changing dietary patterns. Apart from vitamins and minerals, fatty acids play an important role in modulation and prevention of diseases. However, maintaining a strict dietary pattern and fitness regimen could be explained with the help of social control and cultural values. Fitness levels are determined with measures on speed, strength and flexibility of athletes or even ordinary individuals and energy costs are directly related to nutrition, diet, exercise and physiology (Papers4you.com, 2006).

In this context the relevance of the gym culture may be studied as the gym going motivation may be similar to the motivation to follow a strict diet pattern and this in turn have an impact on general health and fitness levels (Bull, et al 2006). This is because any kind of rigorous physical exercise brings about thermo regulation that facilitates heat loss and regulates internal body temperature.

One of the important issues in nutrition and health studies would be prevalence of diseases and diet patterns and lifestyle have a direct impact on the health status of individuals. Smoking for instance has been related to lung cancer and heart disease by analyzing data on mortality rates, smoking habits, lung cancer and coronary heart disease and the health benefits of quitting smoking have also been established in several studies (Saijo, 2006).

An important topic of nutrition studies is life expectancy and health and disease in the elderly. The problem of malnutrition is increased during old age as the elderly may have inadequate diet and poor mobility that prevent them from following a recommended diet pattern. In certain cases, poor nutrition can lead to chronic conditions and poor physical mobility and the elderly would thus need specific interventions and effective treatment patterns. General studies on gender variations in life expectancy and illnesses have shown that women tend to live longer than men but also tend to report illnesses more than men (WHO, 2000).

Simple Living Guide An Essential Ingredient of Healthy Dieting

It happens to be quite overwhelming nowadays to choose the right diet for ourselves when we start to feel like we need one. There are so many offers out there (diets are obviously a big business) that one can easily feel confused and lost among the loads of information bombarding us via all sorts of media’s advertising.

This writing is not a dieting tip and does not recommend a new (or tested) dieting program. I am not here to persuade you how a certain dieting food works great for weight loss dieting, in case of weight-gain caused by hormonal imbalance or even explain what a healthy dieting is.

Personally, I prefer natural methods and natural foods (my ideal is to grow and eat my own home-grown fruits and veggies). But even in the area of more holistically-oriented pursuits, there are different trends, healing methods and philosophies. Luckily, the natural methods don’t differ that much and have some basic principles in common.

My gut’s feeling tells me that we should learn from the famous physicians and researchers, their studies and experiences with the patients. But at the same time, whatever diet or detox program we decide on, it’s best when customized for us and especially - is user-friendly.

Whenever we introduce some drastic changes to our eating habits that better be done under the professional’s supervision. The step-by-step changes like staying away from sugar, alcohol or cigarettes (one at the time) are safe to try on your own. However, any support you can get in breaking these kinds of addictions might greatly improve your chances for success.

So, no matter what kind of diet and nutrition you choose for yourself, there’s one essential ingredient of every healthy dieting and applies to any kind of dieting: Always listen to your body. Since there is no such thing as universal cure or universal diet, the smart choice would be to use your body as a guide. According to Deepak Chopra, M.D. the Eskimos get rotten teeth, hardening of the arteries and bad tempers if you give them fruits and vegetables (considered the healthiest foods in western societies).

Your body is your best friend, teacher and guide. It keeps "talking" to us using the variety of sensations. It keeps teaching us what’s good for us - if only we would listen… Nevertheless, there is one simple, two-step way to start listening (and act accordingly) again:

1. Simply pay attention to how you feel an hour or two after eating a certain food.

2. Observe how you feel in the morning when on a new diet.

Paying attention, listening and observing to what our body is communicating to us is the most reliable way to avoid the dangers of dieting whether you adopt the blood type diet, famous "Shore" one, "Jessica’s" or any other. The one rule to follow in decision-making is: select the diet program that is tolerable in your current situation, lifestyle and wellness.

How Fatherhood Contributes to Fitness and Healthy Living

When speaking about fitness and healthy living, most men usually think of the stereotyped image of a guy eating a balanced diet, going to the gym regularly, and engaging into sports activities. All right, if you want to be different, you'll probably choose yoga, ballroom dancing, carpentry, or even pottery as your means to exercise, relieve stress, and fight boredom. But you'll probably do a lot of sneaking when you want to do some unique stuff. Yet the truth is that male health is not only limited to diet or doing exercises or sports. For, there are other aspects of a man's life that directly or indirectly influence his health. No wonder, fitness and healthy living is a must for every man.

If you're a father, you may be wondering how that role affects your over all fitness and healthy living. Of course, expecting and having your first-born child is a mixture of excitement, happiness, and worry. Yet as the number of your kids increase and you start to face the tough challenges of parenting, you'll probably give a more serious thought on your role as a dad. You'll have to quickly master multitasking as you change diapers, feed your kids, watch them as they run around the house, or reprimand them when they get excessively naughty. Is fatherhood doing good or bad things to men's health?

Generally, fatherhood creates positive changes to the entire male health. This is true compared to men who aren't married or who don't have kids yet. Of course, this does not mean that single men aren't as equally healthy as married men. However, being a father gives you a certain edge in terms of fitness and healthy living. In fact, fathers who spend quality time with their kids are more likely to experience greater happiness and fulfillment. The responsibility of being a father always changes the lifestyle of men. They no longer work nor live for their wife, but for their entire family. In this case, they may start to drop unhealthy practices such as smoking and drinking in order to set a good example for their kids. Moreover, their desire to watch and be with their children as they grow will inspire them to maintain their health and live longer. Hence, they'll find more reasons to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, drive carefully, and visit their physician regularly. Of course, the joy of men is even doubled or tripled when they start to have grandchildren. Things keep on getting better as their family grows. It goes without saying that fitness and healthy living is still maintained when a man becomes a father.

Easy Tips for Healthy Cooking

We all know we should be eating healthier. But it's not just changing our eating habits in restaurants that needs to be done. We can also change how we cook our food at home. Healthy cooking at home doesn't need to be bland or boring! In fact, you may find some of these tips will add more flavor to your dishes!

The first thing to do is choose leaner cuts of meat. The obvious choices for low fat cooking are chicken and fish, but other meats can be lower in fat as well. When shopping for red meat, the words 'sirloin' and 'round' are cuts which are naturally lower in fat. Check the meat and choose the one with the least amount of marbling and trim off any excess fat before cooking. Look for ground beef that is 95% lean. Pork is also another great lean meat.

The problem most people have with lean meats is that they will dry out easily when cooking. To avoid this, try a marinade. Marinades aren't just for flavor (although that is a great benefit!). Using acidic liquids will actually help break down the tougher connective tissue in the meat. Try one of the many low fat marinades available in your grocery store, or make up your own with ingredients such as balsamic or red wine vinegar, herbs and spices. Depending on the size of the meat portion, you can marinade from 20 minutes to several hours. A great marinade for chicken is yogurt. Mix fat free yogurt with some lemon juice, salt, pepper and any other spices you like and coat your chicken breasts. Yogurt marinades are best after 8 hours or overnight.

Tired of bland vegetables? Try sautéing your vegetables in a little chicken broth (or vegetable broth) instead of oil. Then sprinkle on herbs. Even just a sprinkling of chopped chives can add a zesty new taste to your vegetables. Another great option is roasting vegetables. This works wonderfully with root vegetables or other very firm ones such as cauliflower and squashes. Simply cut the vegetables into large chunks, spray with cooking spray and toss on seasoning. Curry powders, cajun blends or Italian seasonings are great. Roast in a 450 degree oven until the vegetables are tender. You can also place the vegetable pieces on a skewer and roast on your grill!

You don't have to give up dessert when eating healthily, either! Fruit makes a wonderful dessert, or even a side dish with your regular meal. Try a bowl of mixed berries topped with a low fat or fat free vanilla yogurt. Or sauté bananas in a non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle on cinnamon and a touch of vanilla extract. Serve with frozen yogurt. Even kids will think they are getting an indulgent treat!

Have a favorite recipe that isn't so healthy? You can try modifying it. Remove any skin from meats, use half the amount of oil asked for in cooking. For baked goods, substitute applesauce for oil - your cakes will still be moist and flavorful! In recipes asking for cream, try using evaporated skim milk. With these substitutions, many times you won't even notice the difference.

Healthy living is important and it is easy. Just a few quick changes and your home cooking will be better and healthier for your family!

BP Medication Plus Healthy Lifestyle Lead To Stable Blood Pressure

The word 'blood' has plenty of significance! Among all the parts of the body, the status of blood is the most eminent! It touches and is ever in contact with all the parts of the body, at all times! In other words, it is omnipresent.

We call our close relations, 'blood relations'! Why not nose relations or ear relations? Any damage to any part of the body, and the first thing that comes out is blood!

Blood can be compared to a super power! Super power influences the political activity anywhere in the world! Similarly, blood can influence physical activity anywhere in the body. Therefore, any severe damage to the quality and quantity of blood becomes fatal!

One such damage to the blood is change in blood pressure, which could either be high or low.

For lowering high blood pressure, many 'antihypertensive' medications are available in the market. A sub-category of antihypertensives, known as 'beta blockers' are used to reduce the heart rate. The intention of this medication is to reduce the output of blood from the heart.

One more category of antihypertensives is 'nerve inhibitors'. The sympathetic nerves, the respective duty-allotted nerves go from the brain to all parts of the body, arteries included. They can cause the arteries to constrict, raising the blood pressure levels. This type of drug reduces the blood pressure by prohibiting these nerves from constricting the arteries.

Some more drugs are: vasodilators, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers and calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers).

Medication is not the be all and end all of blood pressure treatment. Certain lifestyle changes could also help you maintain a stable blood pressure. Diet and exercise also play an important role in controlling both high and low blood pressures. While treating blood pressure, self-medication can be dangerous. These drugs sometimes cause side-effects such as strokes or heart attacks. Keeping your weight under control is one of the sure-shot methods of controlling blood pressure.

Apples are considered invaluable in the treatment of high blood pressure. The apple diet has a rapid and considerable diuretic effect which causes increased urination, thus bringing the blood pressure down to normal. It also relieves the kidneys by reducing the supply of sodium chloride to a minimum. In addition, the high level of potassium in apples lowers the sodium level in the tissues.

And last but not the least, try to live a tension-free life, as it has a lot of advantages. This would help you to control your blood pressure levels. Now, you may ask, how to start living such a life?

Well, you can start by starting!

Simple Living Guide Healthy Priorities and Healthy Finances

I’ve never been a financial expert and I have serious doubts that I’ll ever have time to become one (with all the things that interest me). But this morning I all of a sudden realized how the foundation of healthy personal finances starts with setting the healthy priorities.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a person entering the second half of your life, younger or older, the quality of life and priorities are something we should all be thinking about. Quality doesn’t necessarily mean luxury or expensive things. Little things that make us happy every time we see them or use them and things that make us feel better add to the quality of our life so much more than the shiniest car, a fur coat, or a piece of jewelry. Wait, I’m not saying that we should give up the material possessions to become happy... No, we deserve all the best! But we should cover the basics first.

Maybe you’re upset about how much it costs you to take your kid to school (and back home) every week. Maybe you’re complaining how expensive the schools are. For our own good we should not classify the cost of the education under the expense category. Because learning is always an investment into everybody’s better future: your kid’s, yours and better future of this whole planet.

Maybe you’re fine with the school cost but you’re paying a lot (to rent or own) a big screen TV when at the same time you’re short on money when you need an herb remedy from the health food store which would really make you feel better. In my personal opinion, TV is something that we all have but we could leave just as happily without it and small screen is big enough to see the shows we really enjoy.

On the other hand, something like natural progesterone lotion, tea tree oil, black cohosh root pills, herbal tea that you find beneficial or healthier fruits and veggies from the local farmer’s market. will definitely improve the essential quality or your life.

To satisfy this kind of basic needs of your body and everyday living means a big improvement in excellence of your life, healthy priorities and in the aftermath - healthier finances.

Vacation Getaways and Healthy Living Tips

Going away on a vacation brings numerous benefits. It refreshes our enthusiasm, helps us to know ourselves a little better, and makes us, upon our return home, happier, healthier, and much more effective in coping with stress. The key to reaping the benefits of traveling is in the going away. Hardly anyone reaps a benefit from spending a vacation time at home to work around the house.

Want a reason or two to go away on vacation? Here are fifteen:

1. Relaxation: Vacations break our day-to-day routine.

2. Stimulation of new sights: New sights give us new insights.

3. Meeting new people: Seeing how other people live broadens our perspective on our own live.

4. Fellowship and camaraderie: Shared hardships and good times form long-lasting bonds of love and friendship.

5. Education: We learn new skills and activities. Remember when you picked your first farm-fresh fruit or vegetable, climbed a mountain, learned a new language?

6. Adventure: Travel returns a sense of adventure to our life and improves our self-esteem when we accept and conquer challenges that don't exist in our routine life.

7. Surprise: It is the unexpected surprises in life that give us some of our fondest memories.

8. Beauty: When we open our eyes and take in new sights, we begin to tune into the majesty of nature.

9. Anticipation: The planning and preparation give us some of the most pleasurable experiences we can recall. 10. Memories: We'll always have the joy of reflecting on our pleasant memories.

11. Freedom: A vacation gives us the freedom to do what we want to do. Even if we are generally satisfied, we may yearn for something more.

12. Self-discovery: In letting our soul talk to us, we develop our inner peace, creativity, and harmony.

13. Appreciation of things taken for granted: When we get home, we will get more out of life. We will notice the miracles where we live.

14. Time stands still: The best part is when we get completely lost in the moment.

15. Happiness: Constructive use of leisure time makes us happier people. The major goal of a vacation is happiness.

After all the above, your vacation or getaway experience will be one of the most relaxing and refreshing times away. We wish you all the best. Happy Travels!

Living a Healthy Life

You want the best life for yourself and your family. To live your healthiest life, you must make certain changes in your diet and lifestyle. Those changes can make the difference between good health and poor health.

All of the changes you should make are easily within your grasp. The main challenge for you will be to make the commitment to stay with those changes. The tips listed below will help you and your family make those changes and live longer and healthier lives.

*EAT A HEALTHY DIET. Eating the right diet can reduce your risk of many diseases and conditions including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. A healthy diet should include a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, legumes, and low-fat dairy products.

1. Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Highly nutritious vegetables are those with dark green (leafy vegetables), deep yellow (carrots, peppers, squash, sweet potatoes), and red (peppers, tomatoes) colors.

2. The best fruits are melons, citrus, and berries. Do not drink fruit drinks that you purchase at the grocery. They are full of sugar. If you like fruit drinks, make your own in a juicer or make a smoothie in your blender.

3. Lean proteins should include lean beef, poultry, fish, eggs and dried beans. Prepare meat without the skin. Bake, broil or grill. Do not fry.

4. Whole grains and legumes are high in fiber and include whole grain breads, pasta, rice, and cereals. Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber can help reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

5. Dairy products like low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheeses can reduce your risk of osteoporosis and diabetes.

6. Drink water, lots and lots of water. Water helps flush the toxins out of your body and increases your metabolism

*EXERCISE EVERY DAY. Regular exercise can help prevent heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mental health problems. Any kind of physical activity will benefit your body. Try to add 30 minutes a day of some kind of physical movement.

1. Aerobic exercises are the best to burn fat and rev up your metabolism. Walking, jogging, skating, and bicycling are good examples.

2. Incorporate movement into your everyday activities. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car at the farthest end of the parking lot. Rake leaves, mow the lawn, clean house with vigor or go outside and play with your kids.

3. Any movement is better than none. If you cannot start a regular exercise regimen, do whatever works best for you.

*DO NOT SMOKE. If you do, stop. It is the single most important thing you can do to help your body.

*DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL. If you must drink, try to limit your intake to one glass a day. Alcohol has been linked to many diseases including certain types of cancer.

*AVOID STRESS. Stress has been linked to many illnesses and no wonder. Today’s lifestyles are full of deadlines and a balancing act of trying to do everything as quickly as possible. If you lead a stressful life, find ways to de-stress every day. Take a hot bath, go for a long, leisurely walk with a friend, read a good book, listen to relaxing music, or whatever works for you.

*SEE YOUR DOCTOR every year for preventive care.

Following the tips listed above will put you and your family on the right track to good health. Once you are comfortable with the changes, you will wonder why you did not make them sooner, as you will feel better, look better, and have more energy to do the things you love to do.

Healthy living information

Welcome to healthyliving

Here you’ll find out about healthy eating and physical activity, and how small changes can lead to big benefits. A poor diet and inactivity can lead to health problems, but by taking on board our healthy eating advice and physical activity tips you’ll soon see yourself on the way to a healthier lifestyle.

This website is a joint collaboration between NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Executive to promote Scotland’s healthyliving programme. It is designed to help you attain a healthier diet and a more active lifestyle by providing resources, advice and support on healthy eating and physical activity.

Find out what healthy eating and physical activity are all about and discover the healthy eating and physical activity-related activities going on in your local area.

There are physical activity and healthy eating quizzes to help you assess how active you really are and how healthy your diet is. These will help you understand how to create a healthier lifestyle.

You’ll also find top tips on both healthy eating and physical activity. You’ll find recipes and meal ideas, as well as suggestions for overcoming some of the typical physical activity barriers.

If you have a question about healthy living, email our experts or browse the Frequently Asked Questions area on healthy eating and physical activity.

For further information on healthy living, order a healthy eating pack, weight management pack or physical activity pack. To find out what information is available in print or online, visit our healthy living publications section.

You can also call the healthy living line on 0845 2 78 88 78 to speak to someone about your healthy eating plans, starting physical activity, or even about making a healthy meal for the kids tonight. Feel free to enquire about any healthy living issue you’ve seen on this site, or to ask any healthy eating or physical activity questions you may have.

For more information on the Scottish Executive’s national food and health programme, and the policy behind this, please visit the national programme’s policy website. For more information on the Scottish Executive’s national physical activity strategy, please visit their web site national physical activity strategy.

CHOOSE CHANGE. CHOOSE HEALTHYLIVING.

Mediterranean Diet Plan

Healthy living is a treasured wealth that does not come on its own. It has to be planned. Food plays a vital role in providing essential nutrients for growth and development of the body. While some foods are considered healthy and are required in large quantities, others may be exempt from a daily diet. This is how a Mediterranean diet plan works.

The Mediterranean diet is considered to be the most suitable form of healthy diet. Researchers have proved that the secret of healthy living of people in the Mediterranean region can be attributed to their balanced diet and active life style. Studies have also shown that this diet not only lowers chronic heart diseases but also improves life expectancy.

The Mediterranean diet is considered to be the most suitable form of healthy dieting. Researchers have proved that the secret of healthy living of people in the Mediterranean region can be attributed to their balanced diet and active life style. Studies have also shown that this diet not only lowers chronic heart diseases but also improves life expectancy.

The Mediterranean diet is a health plan that helps to maintain optimal weight per the height of an individual and reduce the possibilities of heart diseases, diabetes and gallstones.

Today's lifestyles show that most people prefer to eat foods that are processed, canned or tinned containing saturated fats and sugar. Lifestyles also show that most people do not take time out to exercise. As a result, many people are obese and unhealthy with an increased chance for heart diseases, diabetes and cancers.

The Mediterranean diet plan does not eliminate the types of food one consumes. The diet recommends wise food choices. For instance, one should eat fresh fruit and vegetables in place of tinned and frozen products.

The diet plan is founded on the Mediterranean diet pyramid. According to it, food products to be included in a daily diet are cereals, grains, bread, vegetables, legumes, beans, fruit and nuts. These products are nutritious and a rich source of carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins, minerals and proteins. The suggested low to moderate intake of milk, yogurt and cheese eliminates an excessive intake of saturated fats. Animal meat like chicken and eggs are to be eaten on a weekly basis and red meat, a few times a month. Fish is identified as a better option, as it is high in nutritional value. Good fat is provided by olive oil, known to control blood cholesterol level and maintaining a healthy heart. All these suggested in the Mediterranean diet plan matches with a standard diet guideline. The food intake is balanced by an active physical life. This is not to say that people in the Mediterranean region did not find time to rest. In fact, they utilized the time after every meal to relax and socialize, unconsciously giving time for proper digestion and good health.

The Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Diet, Your Health and Your Life

Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm often frustrated with the recommendations I receive. Nutrition and natural health ideas are often so negative (don't eat this, watch out for that) or so rigorous (be sure to eat some raw, natural, organically grown vegetable I've never heard of) or so complicated, I end up ignoring them. And yet, I know diet is critical to my health and well-being, so I made up my own rules. My objective was simplicity, so all of you with greater will-power and more discipline, cut me some slack, OK? For the rest of us, I hope you find them useful.

1. Eat less. I used to eat until I was full, and then snack as a hobby. And, sometimes I still do. But, more and more, I decide when I've eaten enough, leave room for a treat later, and simply choose to eat a little less. I think it helps.

2. Drink more water. I used to try to drink 8 glasses a day, but I usually ended up either losing count…or just going to the bathroom a lot. Now, on my way to the table I stop by the sink and grab a glass of water. I figure that's more water than most people drink, it probably helps me eat less (see Rule #1), and sometimes it reminds me to drink even more. Close enough.

3. Eat more fruit. Benjamin Franklin said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." I just know apples, a banana, some grapes or something "exotic" like a mango or a kiwi tastes good, and it's the fastest, most portable and convenient food I've found. A handful of those little baby carrots beats a sandwich by a good 90 seconds!

4. Eat your vegetables. Yeah, still listening to my mother. But on the positive side, they're so easy! No sauces, no mixing or blending or nothing! Raw, steamed or microwaved, they're great for adding color to a meal (greens, yellows, and beans in all sorts of colors). I know fresh and organically grown is best, and sometimes I buy them that way….

5. Eat more rice and baked potatoes. I score points with my doctor, my "significant other" and again, it's about the easiest cooking I've figured out.

6. Stretch when you feel like it. I used to follow a routine that recommended stretching and yoga for about 30 minutes every morning. Wonderful stuff! Very healthy. And someday I'm going to give it another try! For now, every morning, and several times during the day, I stand up and try to reach the ceiling. I bend, twist, shake my shoulders, breath deep, whatever seems to feel good at the moment. Then I get back to work.

7. Avoid exercise and elevators. OK, I believe jogging and sweating and lifting weights are good for me. And I do some of it. But I also find it useful to walk around the block to get the mail (the box is across the street) or take the stairs instead of the elevator. I walk the dog, push the lawnmower and play tennis and golf with my friends. That way I figure I'm exercising and leaving the gyms open for the rest of you.

8. Spend time with friends. Talking, sharing dreams, giving and receiving support, solving life's great mysteries and debating politics or religion with a friend does wonders for the soul. And, hugs are good. And if you have a life-partner, I find talking regularly seems to avoid a number of other problems, as well!

9. Laugh every day. Tell a joke, wrestle with your dog or play with the kids next door, but have some fun! Life's short.

10. Plan for dessert! At the end of the day, I really like something special to top it all off. So, I plan for a bite of chocolate or a cup of low-fat pudding or yogurt or a handful of fresh grapes. It sure seems to beat restlessly searching the cupboards and refrigerator for "something" and ending up with a big bowl of ice cream!

Finally, a few words of experience. It's OK to "slip" once in a while. At least it better be OK...I seem to do it periodically. Just get up again tomorrow, make the rules simpler, more fun or more appropriate for your situation and get right back on! I don't think the objective is perfection -- there's no point in having a heart attack getting all stressed out about the rules! Just go have some fun!

Body and Water

If the last time you entered your house feeling tired and stressed you immediately decided to take a shower or enjoy a long relaxing bath, you are familiar with the positive outcomes of using water in order to increase the well-being of your body and mind. Indulging yourself in simple pleasures associated with the use of water is known as hydrotherapy. Health resorts, like medical and sports centers or hotel and city spas, offer to today's stressed working individuals the opportunity to get rid of fatigue and anxiety by performing a variety of treatments based on water.

Whether or not you are able to afford such specialized services, you should know that water is the cheapest and probably the safest way, apart from sleeping, to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind. Known from the ancient years for its amazing results, water use has progressed tremendously and its various applications are considered today the focal points of experiencing a healthy lifestyle.

But apart from it being an extremely effective refreshing mechanism, water is used to alleviate or reduce medical problems that need special care. Problems like dry skin, constipation, urinary tract infections, headaches, fever, bad blood circulation, sprained ankles, foot infections, body swelling, hemorrhoids, and muscle strains, can be treated with the appropriate use of water.

The water's temperature and its different application methods can produce the desired results and reduce the severity and the duration of negative symptoms one might suffer because of exhaustion, accidents or chronic health problems. Specifically, hot water can arouse the human immune system and increase circulation levels. From athletes to working individuals, using hot water is considered essential to get rid of body malfunctions and increase energy. On the other hand, instances of swelled feet or constipation problems can be dealt with the right use of cold water, which acts as a natural treatment for a variety of body irritations.

Because human cells are made in average by 80% of water, the human organism needs hydration to survive and function normally. Thus, apart from taking care of your body externally by applying different water-based treatments, it is of vital importance to consume water frequently and help your body rejuvenate from the inside out. As part of our healthy living standards, we should always remember to provide the necessary water quantities to our bodies by drinking six to eight glasses of water per day. Water, whether used as an internal or external hydration, is the best thing one can enjoy everyday.

Healthy Body Healthy Mind

More than two thousand years ago, Hippocrates, the Greek physician and father of medicine, said, "A wise man ought to realize that health is the most valuable possession."

We are obliged to Hippocrates' and others from the past for reminding us that fitness and health is not just a new and passing phenomenon and neither are the ways to achieve and maintain good health.

The fundamentals of good health, known and proven for so long, are available to anyone who decides they want to fully enjoy the enormous benefits of healthy living.

The reality of this lesson is brought home in the compelling story from over a century ago of an American boy, sickly and weakened by childhood diseases, who sought a refuge from his physical handicaps in a love of books and reading. As time went on, just as his mind grew strong from his studies, his body continued to fail.

His concerned father at last told his 12-year old son, "You have the mind but not the body, and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. You must make your body know you will do it!" And the wise father then gave the boy weights and other gymnastic equipment and worked with him to strengthen his frail young body.

Well, this story has a remarkably happy ending. The boy heeded his father's encouragement, and not only worked hard to rebuild his health, but became a superior athlete, graduated from Harvard University and went on to lead a vigorously active life of eminent achievement. This once-sickly boy eventually became the 26th president of the United States. He was Theodore Roosevelt, who at age 42, was and is the youngest man ever to become president.

Throughout his life, Roosevelt practiced what he called, "the strenuous life." His energetic commitment to physical activities included boxing, horseback riding, swimming and hiking among others. Teddy Roosevelt discovered that an important foundation for good health is movement and activity. He demonstrated that our bodies are designed to get stronger as they are constantly used and challenged with purposeful physical activities.

Teddy Roosevelt, incidentally, was a great outdoorsman and probably knew more about natural science than any other President who has ever been in office, and some of his most notable achievements were in the area of conservation. He added about 150 million acres to the national forests, set up five new national parks, created the first 51 federal bird reservations and established the first four national game preserves. He loved nature and worked to preserve the environment for future generations.

Roosevelt undoubtedly agreed with Hippocrates view that, "The first wealth is health." And with the old proverb that takes Hippocrates idea one step further by saying, "Health is better than wealth."

Because Teddy Roosevelt's life dramatically exemplifies the life-changing power of achieving and maintaining good health. The simple moral to his story is that nothing is more essential to building a successful life than good health.

As Teddy Roosevelt showed us, the secrets to good health are not complicated. They are known and waiting for you to discover them and, most important, to put them into practice. The blessings and joys of good health and fitness can be yours when you choose to make them priorities in your life.

Good health, you know, means having the capacity to live life fully and being able to experience the best that life has to offer. It means having vigor and energy. It is having the ability to pursue your dreams with the confidence that you will be able to accomplish them.

It's doubtful that Teddy Roosevelt would have accomplished much in his life had it not been for the words of advice from his father about developing his body in addition to his mind. It's worth thinking about, especially these days when so many of us live sedentary existences. We can only go where our bodies can take us, and our bodies need exercise to stay healthy and strong. So remember: build both your body and your mind. They're a powerful combination. Teddy Roosevelt proved it.

Action to be taken: Commit to a firm set of health related goals and get yourself in the best physical shape starting today.

Everything Counts!

Living Healthy With Exercise Bikes

The popularity of the exercise bike among many exercise machines is that exercise bikes moves almost all the back and leg muscles of the user while riding.

Resistance on the exercise bike can be adjusted to intensities that will suit individual’s aerobic needs from the gentle to the more rigorous. The versatility of the exercise bike makes it adjustable to different requirements of the exerciser. Some prefer the slow pedaling at higher resistance levels; others need spinning the wheel at lower resistance levels while some would want to use different resistance alternately. It can also suit the exerciser requirements that would need a more forward leaning position, an upright position and the recumbent position.

When doing the exercise for the first time, a health professional should always be around to provide a safe program for the patient. Knowing the patient’s optimal heart rate is crucial in determining the program and to prevent injuries. Aside from the exercise programs the health professional will also determine the correct posture and resistance that are needed. They are also trained to spot potential difficulties that could cause more problems that someone not trained will not.

Normally, these kinds of programs should be done three times a week for at least 20 minutes each. The patient is always required to start slowly especially for those who are not used to the rigors of exercising. One of the main objectives here is to raise the patient’s heart rate from 60 to 85% of the patient’s maximum heart rate.

For people who would prefer to have the exercise at home instead of going regularly to the gym, an exercise bike is a convenient machine, as it requires very little space. Some exercise bikes are collapsible so that it does not continue to occupy spaces when no longer in use and be tucked away under a bed or a closet.

Exercise bikes can be as inexpensive as a few hundreds of dollars to a few thousand depending on the features and other benefit that it offers.

In lieu of the exercise bike, an ordinary bicycle can also be used. The bike is mounted on a trainer (which is very cheap and is very easy to install), where the rear wheel of the bicycle is raised and the exerciser uses this as a stationary bike. Trainers can be bought at most bicycle retailers.

There are many benefits that the exercise bike can provide but it is especially effective for people who have back ailments.

Riding a bike on the roads, running and jogging is good at strengthening the back conditions of patients but it can also injure the spine, this is why a stationary bike is a popular alternative. Some ailments that could benefit best from an exercise bike are the Spinal Stenopsis and the Osteoarthritis.

Exercise bike are good at strengthening back muscle groups, the leg, calf, the hamstrings at the back of the thigh and can also work the abdominal muscles.

Exercise bicycles can also improve the flexibility of muscles and ligaments. It can also aid to a very large extent the range of movements of the muscles that otherwise can develop spasms and stiffness. Exercise bikes can help reduce the stresses of the muscles at the lower back, and with regularity of use can promote circulation and cardiovascular health.

Living a Healthy Life

Living a healthy life is important as it can not only extend your life span, but it can also improve the quality of your life. Feeling physically better and having control over your own life can also greatly increase your mental health. There are some aspects of physical and mental health that are beyond an individual's control. However, there are many things that people can do to improve their quality of life and lead a satisfied life.

You can adopt many ways to improve the quality of your life. They may range from eating a healthy diet to following a routine of daily exercise and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

The information from this article will provide you with some basic guidelines for developing your own healthy living plan.

Taking a healthy diet
The first thing you need to do is to take a healthy diet. Everyone needs to eat right to stay healthy. It is not about losing weight, but eating the appropriate foods for your body. Drinking plenty of water, eating vegetables and fruits is one of the ways to correct your diet. Excess of red meat is harmful in the long run and may cause heart and other disorders. Thus, it is important that you include all kinds of food stuffs in your diet which make up a healthy portion.

Give your body the energy it needs from foods to stay strong and healthy. Eat proportional serving of breads or grains, vegetables, fruits or fruit juices, meats like fish, eggs or nuts and dairy products like yogurt, cheese or milk.

Try to cut down on fatty foods such as butter, grease or oil and ‘junk food’ and chips or candy.

Regular physical activity
Staying physically active on regular basis is equally necessary in order to stay healthy. Physical activity helps people:

• live longer and feel better throughout their lives
• become stronger and more flexible
• build strong bones and fight osteoporosis
• prevent depression
• strengthens your ability to fight off illness
• maintain a healthy body weight

It is best to get at least one half hour of exercise thrice a week, but any amount of exercise is better than none at all. Exercise may be in form of a brisk walk, working vigorously in the yard or riding your bike.

Keep yourself away from harmful drugs and alcohol
Drugs and alcohol can destroy a perfectly healthy and fit person. It is advised that you avoid drugs and limit alcohol intake to minimal. Even tobacco causes more health problems than any other drug and is the most addictive and widely used. Cutting down or stopping the use of cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco can save your health and money.

Too much alcohol is definitely dangerous causing liver damage, fetal alcohol syndrome and accidents. Other harmful drugs include marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin or pain pills that are not prescribed for you.

A healthy mind is part of a healthy body
When you are in a good state of mind, you make better decisions for yourself, about your job, your lifestyle and your health. Thus, to have a healthy body, a healthy mind is very necessary.

Try to avoid too much stress and make time in your life for things that are relaxing. Make sure you take little time each day for doing something you enjoy. Get help if you feel depressed or anxious for more than several days at a time.

Also, get enough sleep. People who sleep less are bound to be less healthy as being sleepy reduces concentration, increases mood swings and causes accidents.

Making a change towards a healthy life is not easy nor is it possible in a matter of days. It may take weeks or even months. However, you can be sure that the outcome will be satisfactory.

Eating and Living Healthy

Eating healthy food and exercising regularly are a big part of the way to maintain your health. It's a simple formula designed to keep your body working in optimal condition.

Food is fuel. Consider the gasoline that you put in your car. The best gasoline treats your engine better than the cut rate version at the same station.

In the same way, good foods like fruits and vegetables, proteins in the form of lean meat and nuts will serve your body much better than a diet of highly processed, chemically treated foods that are loaded with sugar.

Benefits

The benefits of choosing an apple and cheese for a snack over a package of donuts are more than just inner maintenance and health.

Your skin looks better. Your weight is manageable. You can concentrate better, sleep more soundly, and in general, have more energy and maintain a happier mood.

Children, teenagers, and pregnant women who are in the processing of growing need to focus their attentions on getting at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and eliminating white, processed breads in favor of whole grain breads.

In general, sugar snacks should be avoided. Fat, on the other hand, should not. If you focus on eating well, a normal amount of fat in your diet is necessary for joint maintenance and skin health.

Have Breakfast

Your body has gone without food or nutrients for at least eight hours while you slept and most of the nutrients have moved out of your system. In order to have the energy and right amount of nutrients to begin your day, breakfast can help with giving the extra boost that you need.

Start the day with a complete and nitrous meal. Fruits and vegetables, as well as grains, can add an extra boost of nutritious value and energy to the beginning of your day. Dairy products and protein can also help to increase your energy levels.

This doesn't mean that you have to have an extra large meal in the morning, however it does mean that you should find foods that will settle with your stomach and provide a beginning of nutrition for the day.

Eating healthy and watching your weight are not the only things you need to consider in having a healthy lifestyle.

• Exercise. This should be done at least four or five times a week. This helps your body to build muscle in several different areas, helps you to lose weight and can prevent illnesses and disease.

• Take vitamins and supplements. Paying attention to where your body doesn't feel balanced is important as well. Once you have determined this, you can balance it out through vitamins and supplements.

• Sleep. If you are sleep deprived, it causes your body to begin to shut down. Make sure that you feel rested and are getting the right amount of sleep. This will allow your body to work at a consistent and full speed every day.

Make a Plan

Healthy living starts with recognizing how you are living currently.

If it helps you, keep a journal to track how often you eat and how much time and exertion you expend on tasks that raise your heart rate.

From there, you can see more clearly where you need to cut, add, or alter your current living patterns.

Healthy Living Through Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, there are four crucial components to healthy and balanced living: eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and daily meditation.

For Ayurvedic healers, it is not just what you eat, but it's also how your body reacts to what you eat that is important. However, many people have become overweight because they have become "imbalanced" when it comes to their approach to food. Eating the right kind and the appropriate quantity of food is so important in Ayurvedic healing. One proverb states that "food is divine". How divine? Food even enjoys a higher status in Ayurveda than all other herbs and medicines!

As long as we continue to eat inappropriate and unhealthy foods or continue to have unpredictable eating routines and habits, our bodies will suffer serious consequences. We damage our energy level, mental well-being and emotional state by eating junk and chemical-laden food. These all seriously damage our general health and well-being and even cause irreversible damage to our organs, thereby shortening our life-span tremendously.

Ayurvedic practitioners, unlike many Western diet gurus, do not have a "one-size-fits-all" approach to eating and nutrition. We all have unique dietary needs and we all have to create a diet that fits us over time. However, Ayurveda suggests some general guidelines for healthy food choices and you can use the guidelines that work best for you. Remember to listen to your body carefully because it will guide you to the foods that can enhance your physical, mental and emotional balance. It is highly recommended that you eat raw, fresh, natural whole foods.

It is also encouraged that you follow an eating routine and treat eating times as sacred. Try not to take short meals or eat while working. Prepare and cook food with care and look for a place where you can eat in a pleasant atmosphere. When you take the time to eat, you give food the chance to turn into ojas - the substance that Ayurveda calls the essence of life and the best product of the eating and digesting process.

Another basic for good health and longevity is enough sleep. According to Ayurveda, sleep is important so our minds and bodies get to recharge. Lack of sleep hampers digestion, clouds the mental state and burdens many organs. Sleep deprivation is linked to high blood pressure and depression, among other things. Interestingly enough, Ayurveda does not think eight hours of sleep is for everyone. Because you are unique, you need to know your own sleep quota that is adequate and makes you function well. The quality of sleep is also important. Ayurveda says the best kind of sleep happens then when the mind is completely separate from all other senses. It is suggested that early sleep is more productive, try to go to bed early (before 10 pm). It is important to wake up early too, preferably before 6 am. Aromatherapy, a cup of herbal tea, deep breathing exercises and a bedtime massage can all help you enjoy a deeper slumber.

The third basic component of a healthy life is an adequate level of physical and mental activity. Along with diet and sleep, Ayurvedic healers say we need an exercise program that caters to our needs. For example, if you are trying to balance a Kapha dosha, go for more vigorous exercise like aerobics or tennis. If you are a Pitta, swimming is a good option. Walking and yoga are good for everyone because they are convenient and practical. They can also be done everyday alone or with a partner. It s recommended that you exercise early in the morning to sustain energy levels during the day and to sleep easier at night. Never exercise on an empty stomach or after a meal. Never continue the exercise if you feel pain or exhaustion. As with all other elements, moderation in exercise is crucial to physical and mental balance.

Finally, Ayurveda encourages daily meditation to recharge all the senses. Taking thirty minutes a day to meditate enhances the ability to manage stress. It also promotes mental focus and emotional equilibrium. Meditation also helps you get good sleep and reduces hypertension. Many tapes and books are available to get you started on this key Ayurvedic practice.

Green Tea for Healthy Living

For many people, tea is a daily ritual in their lives. Did you know that tea is the most consumed liquid in the word after water? There are many reasons why tea is so popular. Health reasons seems to be at the top of the list. Scientific studies have shown that tea is good for you and benefits your body in many ways. Tea is high in things like flavonoids and antioxidants like EGCG that protect your body's cells. While all tea is good for you green tea is Really good for you. Green tea has many healthy benefits and unlike coffee, contains a very low level of caffeine. Green tea is the best source of catechins and among other things, is great for your skin.

Green Tea is made a very common tea plant called Camellia Sinensis. In China, green tea is produced from un-oxidised leaves that are heated, rolled and dried. The more common way of making Green Tea is to steam fresh tea leaves then heat dry them. With all the benefits of Green Tea and Miraculous claims of it's users like "Green Tea prevents heart disease, Green Tea Cures Cancer", etc; the FDA finally issued a letter in response to a claim that consumption of green tea helps to cure variety of cancers that basically stated that while there is lack of documentation for green tea as a treatment for cancer, it has been shown that Green Tea Extract kills leukemia cells. Green Tea Extract (GTE) is a concentrated form of the agents in tea that are good for the body. This GTE is sold and used for many purposes and is helpful to the body in many ways. Some companies have also marketed GTE as the latest and fastest way to lose weight. Initial findings have shown that GTE shows real promise in obese women.

Weather you are looking for the next miracle cure for what ails you, or you just plain like to drink tea, remember that finding all the best varieties is just a click away today! So many consumers now order their tea directly from the source over the Internet. Don't believe everything you hear or read and always trust your doctor when it comes to treatments for your health issues.

Five Tips For Sticking To A Healthy Eating Plan

Eat five meals a day Five meals a day gives you more control over your eating habits. If you only eat three meals a day, then chances are you'll be hungry and reaching for snacks at some point. Five meals distributes your food consumption in a more useful way. With five meals, you don't have the opportunity to get too hungry. You also won't overeat or try to compensate for long hours without food. Five meals a day allows you to consume the items you need in a more frequent fashion. Five portions of fruits and veggies can be more easily introduced with a five meal plan. Three meals is just not as functional. You need more variety, and you need to eat with more frequency.

Make healthy living fun somehow

You have to make healthy choices in life interesting for yourself. You need to make it fun. Find creative ways to snack on fruits and veggies. Exercise in ways that make you excited and content. If you hate lifting weights, but you love playing basketball, then why join a gym? Find some people to play ball with. Meet up at the same spot every week. If you can make healthy eating and exercise fun, then you'll be that much closer to making these approaches habit forming.

Find assistance

You do not have to approach weight loss by yourself. There are plenty of research references, support groups and supplements that can aid in your weight loss efforts. UnDiet is a series of natural supplements that can help jumpstart your weight loss program. If you need some assistance with controlling your hunger or increasing your metabolism, UnDiet can help.

Physical activity is your friend

Keep in touch with exercise. It's a companion that can help you throughout your entire life. Find creative ways to enable physical activity. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Find the worst parking space in the lot, and enjoy a leisurely walk. Jog around your block. Do bicep curls while you watch television. Think outside of the box and enjoy being active.

Set goals for yourself

Don't start a weight loss plan until you're prepared to follow through. Establish reasonable weight loss goals and timeframes for yourself. Be prepared to make sacrifices, but don't plan the impossible. Take effective steps toward achieving your goals, and reward yourself when you meet your weight loss objectives. Remember that weight loss isn't a sprint or a marathon or any other running metaphor. Weight loss is an outlook on life that comes from within. You have to truly want to sustain a healthy way of living if you expect to be successful in the long term.

Healthy Eating Tips for Healthy Living

Eating healthy is fast becoming a way of life. American’s are living longer, however, the goal of many is not to simply live longer, the goal it is to live a longer and healthier life. Simple everyday fruit can help.

Recent studies have indicated that the antioxidants in fruit provide a whole host of health benefits: the anti-aging power of blueberries and the joint pain relieving properties found in cherries to name a few.

The multitudes of health components found in fruit are truly a gift from Mother Nature. Here are a few everyday fruits for healthy living in 2005:

Cherries – The Supercharged Fruit:

Are cherries truly fruit for a healthy you? Recent studies have revealed that cherries offer an assortment of health benefits including the ability to offer natural relief from joint pain caused from gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.

The wonder of the cherry is the anthocyanins. According to research from Michigan State University tart cherries contain anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which inhibit the enzymes Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, and prevent inflammation in the body. These compounds have similar activity as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen.

Further investigations revealed that daily consumption of cherries has the potential to reduce the pain associated with joint inflammation. Many are choosing to drink cherry juice, eat cherries or consume tart cherry pills for relief of gout, arthritis and joint pain.

Linda L. Patterson is a living testimony of the soothing affects of cherries on her joint pain. “I enjoy crocheting and lately my hands have been so painful, I couldn’t crochet for more than about 30 minutes.”, says Patterson. In an attempt to find relief from her pain, she located Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules, (www.fruitadvantage.com) a supplement made from red tart cherries. “Within the first week of taking the tart cherry capsules my hands felt so much better.”, says Ms. Patterson. “I am now able to crochet without the pain in my hands.”

Blueberries – Nature’s Top Antioxidant Fruit:

Blueberries emerged as the top antioxidant capacity fruit in a laboratory testing procedure called ORAC - Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity developed by the USDA*. ORAC has become the definitive measurement of antioxidant capacity.

James Joseph, Ph.D, Chief of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston, is working with blueberries to examine their potential to help improve motor skills and reverse the short-term memory loss that comes with aging.

"The blueberry has emerged as a very powerful food in the aging battle," said Joseph. "Given the possibility that blueberries may reverse short-term memory loss and forestall other effects of aging, their potential may be very great."

Terry Johnson, a resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan, munchies on dried blueberries for the convenience and taste. “I work behind a computer for eight hours a day and I like to snack. I began eating dried blueberries instead of a candy bar from the vending machine. Now I feel good when I snack because I am eating fruit instead of candy.”

Strawberries:

Studies have shown that strawberries can help promote a healthy digestive system and help lower blood cholesterol. A handful of strawberries can go a long way to a helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle.