Healthier Alternatives to Coffee 

Ready to kick your coffee habit? Making the decision to give up that regular morning cup of coffee can be difficult. Thankfully there are healthier alternatives that can still give you that morning pick-me-up without the negative side effects. As you might have guessed, tea is a popular alternative to coffee. The caffeine in tea does not bind to your system the way coffee does which allows it to move through your body more efficiently.

Black tea tends to have the strongest flavor and the most caffeine of all teas. This rich tea has plenty of antioxidants and flavonoids which help prevent heart disease and strokes. The flavor of black tea differs from spicy and nutty to flowery and fruity. Some of the most popular black teas are Darjeeling and English Breakfast.

Green tea comes in many varieties and is high in nutrients and minerals. Specifically this tea contains Vitamin C and fluoride which helps strengthen our immune system and bones. This tea has a subtle bitter flavor that has slight grassy hints of the fresh plant.

Yerba Mate is widely consumed by South Americans as a healthy alternative to coffee. This non-caffeinated tea has plenty of vitamins and minerals along with saponins which are phytochemicals that are known to boost the immune system. Yerba Mate has a refreshing sweet and spicy flavor.

Rooibos is a non-caffeinated red tea that energizes and is a great thirst quencher. The flavor is often described as sweet and nutty. It is popular in South Africa because of its high levels of anti-oxidants and its ability to aid in hypertension, headaches and irritability.

Ginseng tea both relaxes and energizes and can be consumed at any time of the day. It is know to enhance stamina and mental alertness. Several vitamins and minerals are found in this tea such as folic acid, niacin, copper and manganese. Adding sugar or honey is recommended as it has a bitter taste.

Kicking your coffee habit might take some time due to the effects of caffeine withdrawal. Slowly cutting back on your coffee dependence by alternating with substitute beverages can help alleviate the symptoms of headaches, irritability and fatigue. Experimenting and evaluating different alternatives will assist your search in a healthier replacement.

About The Author:  Vanessa Lujan is a holistic health educator and massage therapist. She helps others start home based businesses and currently owns and operates, www.glowtopia.com which sells vegetable/soy based candles and all natural bath products.

 

 Natural Vitamin Sources at Home

Foodies and farmers both know it. However, not enough other people are aware that though it is simple to purchase vitamin supplements, for most people it is far better to get our recommended dose of vitamins from natural sources.

Today, many folks do not get enough natural vitamins through their diet, and often those people suffer a vitamin deficiency as a result. Surely you have heard the refrain: eating a balanced, healthy diet is the key to getting the right amount of vitamins into your body.

Some people who adopt special diets may find that it is more difficult to get all of their body’s needs from natural sources. In those special cases, perhaps a vitamin supplement in pill form is a good choice. It can be a bit complicated and time consuming for those people to prepare meals that incorporate all their needs. However, for the vast majority, regular food can easily provide all the nutrition we need.

A key to success in doing so, is to learn about the different types of vitamins, and where they can be naturally sourced. With that knowledge, it will be much easier to incorporate the vitamins you need into your daily diet. Some vitamins are water soluble, and cannot be stored by the body, so they must be replenished every day. Learning about the various vitamins doesn’t take long, and once you do, you will find it easier to find natural sources in many of the foods you already have in your household. Ready? Here are some of the most widely available sources for vitamins:

* Natural vitamin B4 sources can include egg yolks, legumes, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish.

* Natural vitamin B1 sources can include brewer’s yeast, brown rice, whole grains, organ meats, egg yolk, blackstrap molasses

* Natural vitamin B17 sources include whole kernels of apricots, peaches, apples, cherries, plums

* Natural vitamin B15 sources include brewer’s yeast, brown rice, rare steaks, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

* Natural vitamin B13 sources include root vegetables, whey in liquid form

* Natural vitamin B2 sources include brewer’s yeast, organ meats, whole grains, nuts, legumes, blackstrap molasses

* Natural vitamin B6 sources can be found in brewer’s yeast, meats, whole grains, wheat germ, blackstrap molasses, organ meats

* Natural vitamin B12 sources can include bananas, fish, eggs, pork, milk, cheese, kelp, organ meats, lamb, peanuts

* Natural vitamin B7 sources include liver, unpolished rice, brewer’s yeast, legumes, sardines, whole grains, egg yolks

* Natural vitamin B13 sources can include root vegetables, and liquid whey

* Natural vitamin B1 sources include brown rice, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, organ meats, blackstrap molasses, egg yolk

* Natural vitamin B9 sources can include root vegetables, dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, oysters, salmon, milk

* Natural vitamin B5 sources include salmon, organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, whole grains

* Natural vitamin B7 sources can include liver, legumes, unpolished rice, whole grains, sardines, brewer’s yeast, egg yolks

So you can see there are a variety of ways to get what your body needs. Pill form supplements are not bad; it is simply that natural source vitamins are so much better. You can explore new foods and ways of cooking, and your body will love you for it.

 

 About The Author:  Mary Smith is a writer for various online magazines, and specializes in family health and bath and body themes.

 Seven Myths About Good Eating Habits

Your body can be thought of as a precision machine. It comes with thousands of intricate parts that combine to make an amazingly functional team. Like any machine, your body needs regular maintenance and fuel.

Your body needs to be fueled with the right nutrients in order to run at its maximum capacity. Following good eating habits is important to your overall health, but you also need to be able to sift through the layers of poor information.

Here are seven myths — busted — about good eating habits:

1. “You should work out on an empty stomach.” This is definitely a myth. The rumbling in your stomach is trying to tell you something, and it’s not that you need to dash to the gym. Ignore those tummy rumbles and you’re forcing your body’s engine to run on empty. Always be sure that you have a light snack, such as a piece of fruit, before any physical activity.

2. “Meal replacement bars and drinks are good for you.” Sorry, another myth. Meal replacement bars and drinks can offer a small benefit if you are traveling or in a real pinch, but they are nowhere near the same as eating real food. Vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and plenty more is available in fruit and vegetables, and is much better than bars.

3. “Breakfast isn’t important.” Of course, your mother was right about this one. Breakfast is and will always be the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast gives your body the supercharge it needs to meet the challenges of the day. Skipping breakfast robs your body of precious fuel, and will leave you feeling tired and hungry all day long.

4. “Low-carb diets provide all the nutrients we need.” Another myth. For temporary weight loss, low-carb diets may work, but in terms of overall good health, they come up short. We need carbohydrates for our very survival, and they start by developing muscle tissue, and storing energy for later use.

5. “Eat what you want, when you want.” If only life were that easy. Just because you’re making some good food choices and exercising regularly, doesn’t necessarily give you license to eat everything you want. Balance is the key. You can’t eat only cheese and no fruit or vegetables and expect to lead a healthy life.

6. “Chop as many calories as you can.” Cutting calories is part of losing weight, but running too low on fuel can harm you, too. Trim those calories gently, aiming for a weight loss of about 1-2 pounds per week. Much more loss than that means you should add some more food to your diet.

7. “Forget soda pop and alcohol.” This one’s true! Good drinking is a big part of good overall eating. Why add to the profits of companies selling sugar water with artificial flavor and color added? Tap water is healthy, and juice and milk are also great choices. Drink small amounts all day and evening long, as much as you can comfortably ingest. (But note that the “rule” of 8 glasses a day is not really based on scientific research, but is another myth that has been repeated millions of times.) Avoid dehydration by sipping frequently.

Good eating habits begin with a solid understanding of proper diet. When you change what you eat, you’ll be taking an important step toward improving your overall wellness. Fuel up and keep your motor running for optimum performance today, and down the road.

About The Author:  Author Sheila Ffloyd writes for several well-known web sites, on health and wellness and health product subjects.

 

Apricots Are Loading With Nutritional Goodies 

Alexander the Great fell in love with this surprisingly sweet fruit in Asia, where he found them growing wild. When he returned to Europe from his military expeditions, he brought some with him.

The ancient Romans gave the apricot its name - from the Latin word for “precocious” - because the apricot is the first fruit of the season to ripen. The name stuck, and the apricot spread all over, from Europe, to America, and all the way to Australia.

The apricot is a fantastic fruit - loaded with beta carotene, iron, fiber, vitamin C, and several B vitamins. If you dry an apricot, its nutrients get more concentrated, making dried apricots a great snack.

Whether fresh or dried, eating apricots will help you fight the effects of aging, protect your eyesight, ward off cancer, and prevent heart disease.

4 ways apricots keep you healthy

Combats cancer.

If you get indigestion from eating tomato products - the prime source of lycopene - here’s great news for you. Apricots, especially dried ones, are another source of lycopene, the amazing carotenoid that can help prevent prostate, breast, and several other cancers. Though apricots aren’t nearly as good a source of lycopene - about 30 dried ones have the same amount as one tomato - munching on them throughout the day can boost your lycopene quicker than you think.

Apricots are also a good source of the most famous carotenoid of them all - beta carotene. This powerful antioxidant reduces your risk of some types of stomach and intestinal cancers. To get these benefits, experts suggest getting at least 5 milligrams of beta carotene each day. That’s equal to about six fresh apricots.

Halts heart disease.

Eating dried apricots as a snack can punch up your levels of iron, potassium, beta carotene, magnesium, and copper. These important nutrients help control your blood pressure and prevent heart disease. Plus, as few as five dried apricots can give you up to 3 grams of fiber, which sweeps cholesterol out of your system before it has a chance to clog your arteries.

Chases away cataracts.

What you eat can affect your vision. Dr. Robert G. Cumming, the lead researcher for the Blue Mountains Eye Study, says, “Our study confirms the importance of vitamin A for cataract prevention.” Cumming adds, “Our overall conclusion is that a well-balanced diet is needed for eye health.”

Since apricots are a good source of beta carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A, and several other nutrients, they could be just what you’re looking for.

Adds to a long life.

Believe it or not, some people claim apricots are the secret to living to age 120. They get this idea from the Hunzas, a tribe living in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia. Common health problems, like cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, do not exist in Hunza. And researchers are wondering if apricots, a main part of their diet, are partly responsible. The Hunzas eat fresh apricots in season and dry the rest to eat during their long, cold winter.

Although eating apricots can’t guarantee you’ll live a long life, recent research suggests the little fruit may help you live a better life. The B vitamins in dried apricots may protect you from Alzheimer’s and age-related mental problems, like memory loss.

Pantry pointers

From June to August, the finest fresh apricots roll into your supermarket from California and Washington state. Keep your eyes peeled for the tastiest of the bunch. They’ll wear a beautiful, bright orange skin, and they’ll look and feel plump. Avoid apricots with yellowish or greenish tinges and those that are hard, shrunken, or bruised.

Just like their cousin the peach, apricots can ripen on your kitchen counter at room temperature. When they feel and smell ripe, wrap them in a paper bag and store them in your refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for several days.

During the winter months, satisfy your apricot craving with fruits imported from South America, or enjoy canned apricots, jams, spreads, and nectars.

 

Aaron Stanlich is an accomplished freelance writer and authors on a variety of subjects. To learn more about Healthy Nutrition see the great articles at www.upublish.info

 

Make an Appointment with your Home 

If you find yourself constantly missing areas of cleaning when trying to keep up your home consider making an appointment with each room in your house.

Make a housekeeping schedule to plan when you will do your cleaning and in what room.

Putting your cleaning on a calendar can help you because…

1. A housekeeping schedule keeps you from wasting valuable time trying to figure out what needs to be done and where.

2. A housekeeping schedule should be flexible enough to allow for such pleasant interruptions as your children, spouse, or company.

What gets done depends on your individual household but here is a basic list to tweak to meet your needs.

Daily:
Dishes
Wipe down often used bathrooms
Wipe kitchen counters and sweep floor
Make beds
Tidy - Bedrooms, Dining Room, Living / Family Room

Weekly:
Dust
Vacuum
Purge fridge of leftovers
Clean bathrooms

Monthly:
Vacuum under furniture
Clean oven
Clean fridge

Seasonally:
Have rugs / carpet professionally cleaned
dry clean seasonal clothing
Turn mattresses
Have furnace / air conditioner tuned

So now you have your list, how do you keep track of it? Well it’s a good idea to have in writing when you will be cleaning. From daily to weekly to monthly jot in your planner, wall calendar, bulletin board what time is set aside for you to keep your home in order.

Think of how the professionals do it. Have you ever noticed the sheet on public restrooms that gets marked and dated when it has been cleaned? Of course you don’t need to post your list for all to see but put it in a place where you can refer to it.

Cleaning your home will take time and effort. Organizing your cleaning efforts can help to to keep from becoming a slave to your home and from abandoning the schedule altogether and letting chaos reign.