Golf Has Health Benefits

You may think that because golfing doesn't raise your heart rate to an aerobic state that there are no benefits from it. Now just because you don't want your husband spending 4 hours, and even more money, out on the golf course, that doesn't make it an unhealthy sport. Researchers have learned, in recent years, that modestly paced exercise is very beneficial, even if it’s interrupted by periods of inactivity. So the benefit comes, not from your golf swing, but from walking. "The average course is about 6,300 yards. Even without trekking into the rough, a round of golf can count as 4 miles of walking. If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you’ll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart. If you pull your clubs or carry them, you’ll burn more calories per round and benefit even more." We used to have a group of 4 couples that would golf together throughout the year. We weren't any good, but we still had a blast! We haven't done it in a long while, not sure if it's our economy, or our schedules. Hubby still likes to go though, but usually only while on vacation. Are you a golfer whose game has been effected by the economy? There are some great deals to be had on golf trips right now. The golf community of Las Vegas is running some great "bailout plan" specials. You can find Las Vegas golf packages with 2 nights accommodations and 2 rounds of golf for as little as $379 per person. Remember, before you golf, that swinging a club over and over again can do a number on your back. Always stretch beforehand to help reduce your risk of injury and it'll also help you develop a smoother stroke. Source: http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100100458

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Are Those 100 Calorie Packs Helping You Diet?

A study in the Journal of Consumer Research reports that snack packs may actually encourage overeating in dieters. Participants received either one 200-calorie bag of M&M's or four 50-calories bags of M&M Minis. Of those who diet constantly and are continuously aware of their eating habits, scarfed more from the little packets than did the subjects with less rigid eating habits. The reason? Dieters often have an emotional relationship with food, and the perception that something is "diet food" may trigger an urge to overindulge, says lead study author Maura Scott of the university of Kentucky. What to do? Stick to regular-size bags of goodies, grab just one handful, then stash the rest. Source: December 2008, Women's Health

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Review: GreenPath Natural Supplements

I just took a look at GreenPath natural supplements at their site, and here's what I found. They contain no preservatives, coloring or other artificial ingredients, they adhere to strict quality control processes and they create their products with premium natural ingredients. Here are a few products I found the most interesting: Their Beta Glucan is a natural way to help boost your immunity and lower your cholesterol levels. With pure barley beta glucan harvested from the most potent sources in the world, it is a powerful source of soluble fiber. GreenPath Chlorella is the purest, highest grade Chlorella on the market. It's taken to remove heavy metals from your body, leaving you clean and free of contaminants, and it will also fortify your body with 19 amino acids and 20 vitamins and minerals. PureMotion is a blend of high quality glucosamine sulfate and the purest Chlorella formulated to provide arthritis pain relief and relieving inflammation and swelling. In addition, they can help keep your pets strong and healthy, naturally, with the GreenPath PuriPet Supplements for Pets. Visit www.greenpathsupplements.com for more infomation.

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I'll Just Have One

With the holidays just around the corner, you may be tempted not to just eat more, but also to drink more than usual. But here's another good reason to limit your alcohol intake. A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that woman who had more than one drink on any given day had a 60 percent higher risk, than those who stuck to one, of developing metabolic syndrome. What is metabolic syndrome? It's a group of metabolic risk factors in one person. People with the metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. The risk factors are:

• Abdominal obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen)
• Atherogenic dyslipidemia (blood fat disorders — high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol — that foster plaque buildups in artery walls)
• Elevated blood pressure
• Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (the body can’t properly use insulin or blood sugar)
• Prothrombotic state (e.g., high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor–1 in the blood)
• Proinflammatory state (e.g., elevated C-reactive protein in the blood)

Reduce your metabolic syndrome risks by only having one drink per day, exercise at least 30 minutes a day, achieve a desirable weight, and reduced your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. Sources: December 2008, Women's Health www.AmericanHeart.org

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Walkin Tubs - What A Great Invention!

My friend told me this story about her grandmother. She is in her 90s and she asked her daughter, who is in her 70s, to help her get a bath. She had been wanting to sit in a bath for a while, but wouldn't while she was alone. So she took her bath, but when she was done she couldn't lift herself out. Her daughter (the 70 yo) came in and tried to help her out, but she couldn't get her out either. Finally, they called the daughter-in-law and she came over and between the two of them they got the older woman out. I felt so bad for the older woman. How embarrasing for her. What if they would have had to call emergency help, she would have been even more devastated. But I know how enjoyable a bath can be! I love to soak in a warm tub! Then I saw a commercial for walkin tubs! What a great invention! You walk in, close the water-tight door and run your water. There's a built-in 17” contoured seat to reduce the struggling of getting up and down, then you drain the water and walk back out. You or your loved one can get a bath, without any safety worries! I'll be making my hubby get me one of these in a few years!

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Don't Gain It Back!

95 percent of dieters regain what they lost within 3 years. What can you do to reverse that trend? The Kansas City Medical Center found these tips helped 137 out of 179 subjects in a three-year study.

• Those who kept the weight off were twice as likely to eat a total of five or more servings of fruit and veggies daily.
• Don't read diet books. Yeah, you heard me right. When regainers started to put pounds back on some were more likely to turn to diet books instead of the plans that helped them lose. Diet books can't replace healthy behavior.
• 55 percent of regainers said office culture sabotages dieting. You can outsmart overindulging by snacking on a handful of nuts before meeting with clients or coworkers.
• Keep up the exercise! 60 percent of losers continued to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day.

Another helpful tip is to burn a peppermint candle while making dinner. The aroma can stimulate the alertness region of your brain distracting you from cravings.

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Vitamin B12 - Why Do You Need It?

My mom called me the other day and said, "I'm just so tired lately, any idea what I should do?" I asked if she has been taking any supplements. She said she had ran out of what she normally took. I suggested that she take a Vitamin B formula, in particular, vitamin B12. Why? B12 is necessary for metabolism, and the proper functioning of our brain and nervous systems. A deficiency of B12 can lead to depression, confusion, memory problems, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and other health issues. Older people short on B12 have a harder time recalling certain words. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients given high doses of B-12 injections had increased energy levels and were able to sleep better. Of course, food is your best source for most nutrients. If instance, salmon, shellfish, milk and eggs are all great sources of B12. The FDA recommends just 2.4 micrograms a day, but RealAge.com suggests that more than that is necessary, perhaps up to 25 micrograms daily. You may have a hard time getting that from your diet, especially if you are a vegetarian. TriVita offers a patented Sublingual B-12 that "melts under your tongue and speeds the essential B nutrients directly into your bloodstream where they immediately begin to help your body." Try sublingual B-12 from Trivita today. Get the energy you want in an inexpensive and painless way. --Also a great alternative to B-12 injections.

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Just Received Denise Austin's 'Eat Carbs Lose Weight'

This book was actually published in 2005, but the name caught my eye, and it was inexpensive, so I ordered it. Personally, my body responds to the low carb-high protein diets. But I sooo miss carbs while on them so that's another reason I was interested in it.

Now, I haven't had much time to get into the meat of the book, but the plan seems simple enough. It's a 50-25-25 breakdown of carbohydrates to protein and fat. There's a meal plan, but you aren't tied to it. If you prefer more freedom you can design your own meals. You just apply this formula to each meal:

• 45 grams of carbohydrate
• 3 to 4 ounces of protein
• one to two servings of fat

For snacks, you should have:

• 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrate
• Approx. 60 to 80 calories
• A bit of fat and protein (nuts, avocado, etc.)

And A dessert consisting of:

• No more than 15 grams of carbohydrate
• 100 to 140 total calories

The first chapter explains why carbs got a bad reputation, why low-carb diets don't always work, and what the Glycemic index and loads are.

Chapter two explores carbs, what they are, how they promote weight loss, how you can get fewer cravings, better digestion, improved memory and health, and increased energy.

Chapter three tackles how to eat high-carb foods without going overboard.

In Chapter four you'll see how to eat the right carbs to curb your cravings for the wrong ones.

And then Denise will explain why exercise is so important and what her "excuse-proof" plan is.

There's also nearly 100 yummy recipes, the quiz that will help you diagnose and avoid carb addiction and hopefully, if you follow the plan, you should be able to drop a dress size (or pants - for you guys) in just 4 weeks!

I'll be reading more in the next few days and trying it out! I'll let you know what I think. If you've read/tried the plan, let me know your experience on it.

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Weight Loss Online Help

You may be here because you are looking for weight loss tips, diet info, and exercise plans. I wanted to share with you a link to another site that will also help you on that path. WeightLoss-HQ.biz not only actively does weight loss reviews on the latest programs, nutrition, and exercises, but they also have a social aspect to them. You can join their forums and to get real answers to your questions, real help with any aspect of your dieting. Their many articles include helpful information such as the one entitled "7 Foods To Help You Lose Weight." Did you know that hot sauce helps to burn fat? Or that by replacing your sugar with cinnamon you could cut 200 - 500 calories in just a week? Or that you can cut down on binge eating by eating a food such as flaxseed, which is high in fiber and will stabilize your blood sugar levels? You'll have to visit the site to learn what the other 4 secret food weapons are. To Lose Weight Fast you need good information on what's tried and true and a good support group. You'll find both at Weight Loss HQ. (...Along with information on the Morning Banana Diet!)

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Are Those "Body Flaws" Actually Helping You?

The media would have us to believe that all women should be blue-eyed, blonde haired, size twos. I, personally, haven't been a 2 since middle school. But that doesn't mean I'm not healthy - and isn't that what's truly important? Instead of hoping to be someone you aren't, embrace those traits that maybe you once considered flaws. They not only make you uniquely beautiful, but in addition, there might be some real health benefits to them. For instance, do you have an hourglass figure? You may have better luck conceiving! Women with larger breasts and hips and a relatively low waist-to-hip ration have nearly 30 percent higher levels of a reproductive hormone called estradiol. That may make them up to three times more likely to get pregnant, say experts at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. Do you have a little junk in your trunk? A little extra padding on your bottom may well protect you against type 2 diabetes. The experts aren't sure why, but the type of fat that accumulates around your butt and thighs seems to produce substances that improve the body's ability to process sugar. Wishing you were taller? Women who have a short stature could have an easier time heading off heart troubles, according to a study in Medical Science Monitor. Women shorter than 5 foot 5 may have a more efficient ticker that facilitates better blood and oxygen flow throughout the body, protecting against hear disease. Wishing you were blue-eyed? Brown-eyed girls have a better chance of not getting ocular melanoma, a form of eye cancer. That';s because dark eyes have more melanin, a pigment that acts as a barrier against the sun's damaging ultraviolet radiation. Give thanks to your body - just the way it is!

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Fresh Funds Rewards Your Healthy Eating Habits

If you are like me and are trying to eat healthy you probably eat a lot of salads. For the longest time salads were what I had for lunch every single day. I eventually had to switch it up, but for a while, I was eating so many that it was a running joke at work that I might turn into a salad. Chiquita and Fresh Express, want to give something back to all us 'healthy' eaters. By joining their freshfunds program you can accumulate points that can be used to earn prizes, make charitable donations and bid on healthy lifestyle auction items. Prizes include items like an elliptical machine, an ultimate ski weekend for two, or a Nintendo Wii Fit. I signed up, and if I go back to my 'salad a day' habit,I should have enough points in no time to get free stuff! Trying to get your kids to eat healthy too? Fresh Funds has come up with something that might inspire them. The Sproutwells are a fruit and veggie family living among humans. In this webisode they discuss holding a techi-holic intervention for Sweet Baby Green. Enjoy! And don't forget to save those points. You can find them on Chiquita Fruit and Veggie Bites, Fresh Express Gourmet Café Salads, and Fresh Express Packaged Salads.

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Gingivitis - What To Do To Save Your Teeth & Help Your Heart

It's estimated that nearly 80 percent of American adults have some form of gum disease. For a long time we've known that gum disease is the major reason adults lose their teeth, but evidence also shows us now that there is a link between periodontal disease and heart health. The good news is that YOU can save your teeth, and help your heart, and it doesn't cost a fortune. Here's what to do:

• Take Some Time. If you want to get rid of gingivitis, you have to take time to floss and brush correctly. You need to block out 3 to 5 minutes twice or three times a day.
• Brush At The Gumline. The plaque-catching area around the gumline is where gingivitis starts, and it is the most neglected area when we brush. Place your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth so half of your brush cleans your teeth. The shimmy your brush, don't scrape.
• Two Toothbrushes. Get two toothbrushes and alternate between them. Allow one to dry and air out while using the other.
• More Power! Studies show an electric rotary toothbrush typically removes 98.2 percent of plaque, versus 48.6 percent removed by hand brushing.
• Bolster Your Bones. Just like the bones in the rest of your skeleton can shrink and get brittle, so, too, can your jawbone. Bolster your bones with plenty of calcium, exercise, and no smoking!
• Use Listerine. Listerine mouthwash was proven, in studies, to be effective in inhibiting the development of plaque and in reducing gingivitis. When buying generic mouthwash, look for cetylpridinium chloride or domiphen bromide. These are the active ingredients that reduce dental plaque.
• Scrape Your Tongue. Remove there bacteria and toxins hiding there. Scrape from back to front 10 to 15 times with a toothbrush, popsicle stick, tongue depressor or a washed poker chip.
• Use A Gum Stimulator. A rubber or specially designed triangular gum stimulator is better than a toothpick for massaging the gums It also cleans the surfaces between the teeth. Place it so the rubber point rests between two teeth, point the tip int he direction of the biting surface until the stimulator is at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Apply a circular motion for 10 seconds, then move on to the next tooth.
• Eat Your Veggies Raw. Hard and fibrous foods clean and stimulate teeth and gums.
• Massage Your Gums. Grip your gums between your thumb and index finger (index on the outside) and rub. This increases healthy blood circulation to your gums.

You don't have to perform all these every single day, but perform something different, after you brush and floss, each day (massage one day, scrap your tongue the next, etc.) and you won't bore yourself to death. If you exhibit these signs your gingivitis may be getting more serious and you need to see a dentist:

• Bad breath that doesn't go away.
• Your teeth look longer. (Because your gums are shrinking away from your teeth.)
• Your teeth come together differently.
• Your partial fits differently.
• You find pus pockets between your teeth and gums.
• Your teeth are loose.

Also, if your gums still bleed when you brush your teeth, and continue to be sore and swollen despite your efforts at good oral hygiene, you need to see your dentist. Source: The Doctors Book of Home Remedies by Prevention Magazine

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Hangnails - What Do I Do About Them?

A hangnail is that annoying little flap of skin around your cuticle. It's nothing more than dead skin. The skin in that area, which does not contain a good supply of oil to begin with, simply dries out. Women who have their hands in water a lot or who bite their nails commonly get them, but anyone with dry hands is at risk. People who work with paper tend to get them because the paper absorbs oil from their hands. (I'm not sure why I get them, but in the winter, my cuticles tend to look awful!) So what should you do if you get one? First of all, (and this is the part I have trouble with!) don't bite hangnails. Doing so can cause cuts around your fingers which can get infected. Instead "clip it short, and clip it early," says Joseph Bark, M.D., a Lexington, KY, dermatologist. And before you clip it, soak it in a little water or a water and oil solution to soften it. Clipping it when it's hard can end up ripping the skin more. How can you avoid getting them all together? Soak in an oil-and-water solution. Mix 4 capfuls of bath oil to 1 pint of water and soak your fingertips in it for 10 to 15 minutes. Another solution is to rub an emollient cream or ointment on the affected finger(s) at bedtime, wrap it in a piece of plastic wrap and secure it with a bit of tape. The plastic keeps the moisture in overnight. (Remove in the morning.) You should also moisturize your cuticles every day. Every time you apply moisturizer to your hands, take extra time to rub some into the cuticles. Finally, cuticle-removing solutions are not a good idea. Many contain sodium hydroxide which can destroy skin tissue and cause irritation if left on too long. And, it's the cuticle, that provides the vital function of protecting your nails from harmful bacteria and fungi. Protect your cuticle - protect your nail! Source: The Doctors Book Of Home Remedies, The editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books, 1990

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