It’s often surprising to find what’s sitting at the back of the kitchen cupboard. An old tin of beans perhaps. A jar of peanut butter bought for the kids one Christmas that got ignored. Apple cider vinegar. Depending on how long they’ve been there, the beans will be fine (they’ll survive a nuclear war) and the peanut butter might need to go. The apple cider vinegar though, now why did you have that?
It’s impossible to say, obviously, I’m not you, I don’t know why you bought it. But don’t throw it out. You might have bought it in search of an interesting new salad dressing and weren’t quite convinced. What you probably didn’t know is that organic apple cider vinegar is said to have some quite remarkable health benefits.
You may not be crazy about the taste, and truth be told, apple cider vinegar is so potent it should always be diluted. But then, you probably didn’t like broccoli too much when you were a kid either, and you know how good that is. You can grow to like these things. Organic apple cider vinegar has been used as a folk remedy for an enormous range of ailments and conditions for centuries. No lesser man than Hippocrates is said to have used it as a daily tonic.
These days, proponents of the acid/alkaline blood balance theory are particularly supportive of apple cider vinegar’s use as a daily tonic as it is said to have an alkalinising effect on the blood. Their theory is that a PH level that is too acidic (as a result of a similarly acidic diet) leads to all manner of negative health effects: anxiety, insomnia, general ill-health. By alkalinising the blood, apple cider vinegar helps maintain general good health all round.
More specifically, studies have shown that organic apple cider vinegar may be helpful in a weight loss program as it can contribute to greater feelings of satiety following a meal, meaning you will be less tempted to over-eat. Perhaps most interestingly of all, it has been shown to lower glucose levels, making it particularly useful for glucose management in diabetics. Specifically, taken with a meal it can lower the post-meal glucose spike that can cause so many problems.
As with all vinegars, apple cider vinegar also benefits from a long shelf-life. It lasts for around 5 or 6 years so before you absent-mindedly throw it in the bin during your annual cupboard clear out, give it a try, and see how it makes you feel.
Bio:
David J Clark is a graduate of the University of Sussex, currently working as a freelance writer, with a particular interest in natural health and organic apple cider vinegar.
Summertime is just around the corner, which means it’s time for swimming pools, sunbathing and the occasional trip to the beach. It also means hot temperatures – sometimes bordering on unbearable. Not only is the heat uncomfortable for many people, but it can even be deadly for some.
Your body works hard every day to maintain a normal temperature. Excessive heat forces your body to work harder than normal to maintain an ideal temperature, which often is the root cause of heat-related illness. Essentially the heat forces your body to work beyond its limits. Excessive heat can also lead to poorer air quality, making it tougher for your body to get oxygen.
Some of the more common heat-related illnesses include basic sunburn and heat exhaustion. Sunburn is caused by prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun. Heat exhaustion meanwhile manifests itself through muscle pain and weakness, often as a result of overexertion in hot temperatures. Both have fairly simple treatments, usually revolving around cooling down the body or affected area. But in both cases, prolonged exposure to the sun can potentially lead to much more dangerous conditions.
Heat stroke is a life threatening condition in which the body’s temperature control system shuts down completely. Heat stroke can lead to brain damage and eventually organ shutdown. It is imperative to cool down a heat stroke victim immediately and seek professional help right away. Heat stroke is typically more common with senior citizens during the summer.
There are many different ways to combat the heat during hot summer months, many of which simple enough that anyone can do them. Here are some of the easiest ways to stay safe in the heat:
Prepare your home. Getting your home prepared for the heat is one of the most important steps in staying safe during the summer. First and foremost, make sure your home is equipped with a cooling device. Whether you have central air conditioning, an electric fan or a small portable air conditioner you take with you from room to room, make sure the unit works properly before it gets too hot. You might also want to cover windows that receive prolonged exposure to the sun.
Eat right. Just as your body has to work to maintain an even temperature, it also has to work to break food down into energy. Large meals take longer to break down. Eating smaller and lighter meals can help relieve your body of this additional work by being much easier to metabolize. Not to mention it’s also healthier for you. You also may want to limit your alcohol intake, as it too requires more work from your body. Be sure to drink plenty of water as well.
Dress for the weather. Loose fitting clothing is another key for staying comfortable and cool throughout the summer months. This is especially important if you regularly exercise outdoors. Lighter clothing provides the body more ventilation, allowing it to cool off easier, whereas tighter, heavier clothes have the opposite effect.
Protect yourself from the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun is the root cause of a variety of heat-related illnesses. Always use sunscreen when you know you’ll be outside for a prolonged period of time. Wear a hat to lessen sun exposure to your face and neck – two spots extremely vulnerable to contact with the sun.
Limit strenuous activity and exercise. Your body works hard enough during the hot days that adding strenuous exercise or labor can be detrimental. Try working out earlier or later in the day. Planning around the hottest time of the day can help to limit exposure to the heat and can be much easier on your body. Take frequent breaks when possible if you have to work outdoors.
Learn some basic first aid. Each of the different illnesses and conditions that affect people during the summer has its own recommended treatment. Learn some of the basics to treating these different conditions to ensure your safety as well as others’. Being prepared to care for someone suffering from heat exhaustion or even heat stroke can make a big difference – and may even save their life.
Check on your friends and family. The heat can be especially difficult on young children and the elderly, so make sure to check regularly on your family, friends and neighbors during hot spells. Often heat-related issues arise before you have a chance to ask for help.
About: Mike Tennant is a freelance writer and columnist focusing on health and lifestyle topics. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mike currently works with Air Conditioner Home as a content developer to help consumers make the right decision when looking for the best portable air conditioner.
Summer is just months away so many are looking to slim down and get that great beach body. Even if you aren’t looking to get very slim or muscular and just want to lose a few pounds, some basic weight loss tips can do wonders. Starting with a healthy diet rich in lean meats, fruits and veggies will provide your body with the energy it needs to get through your day and for your workout. Eating six small meals a day will keep your from feeling hungry. Working out at least thirty minutes a day will burn calories, release endorphins, and keep you energized.
The beginning of any weight loss regime begins with a diet change. Many diets deprive you of many foods leaving you wanting them even more. Some other diets only allow you to consume one or two types of food a day. This extreme deprivation will cause you to lose weight but as soon as you begin eating normally again, you will gain all of it back. The best diet allows you to eat a variety of foods and leaves you satisfied. Eating poorly will leave you listless and tired all day as well as causing you to crave and binge on foods you shouldn’t be eating.
Try eating lean meats,leafy green vegetables, and plenty of fruits. When grocery shopping peruse the outer rim of the store where the meats, produce, and fresh seafood are located. The foods located there are generally healthier and less processed than items located inward. Turkey, chicken breasts, and fresh fish provide excellent protein for your body. The vegetables, especially leafy green veggies, provide essential nutrients your body craves on a daily basis. Leafy green veggies are also great roughage for your digestive system and promote a healthy colon. Fruits a a wonderful sweet treat that is amazingly healthy for you as well. When you crave sweets, pick up a juicy nectarine or a handful of blackberries. This is the better choice over sticky, gooey cakes and processed sweets which will cause you to gain weight.
Eating six meals a day is a perfect way to never feel hungry during the day while giving your body the right fuel it needs. Keep the meals proportionately small and filled with good protein, healthy carbs like brown rice, and fruit or vegetables. You will see the difference it makes in your weight loss when you are shedding pounds but eating all the time. Working out is essential to lose weight and to keep weight off. A good thirty minute workout will get you going for the day and get that extra weight off. The key is to get your heart-rate up in a brisk workout full of cardio and some basic weight training. Muscle building helps burn fat longer. Muscle also weighs more than fat so no need to solely rely on the scale to monitor your weight loss. The way your clothes fit you is a good indication of how the healthy diet and working out regularly are causing you to lose weight.
About Guest Author: Chuck Edwards is a personal trainer that specializes in body recomposition. He provides weight loss tips at Dr. Kal’s Weight Loss Tips.
Did it ever occur to you that you can change your life with a hypnosis mp3 download? There are actually internet-based sites that will take down your information and send you a customized hypnosis mp3 download for you to use on your computer or on an iPod. Such downloads can include hypnosis for weight loss, smoking, cessation, relaxation, phobias or other psychiatric disorders and physical complaints. You basically lie down on a couch, the bed or the floor or relax in a lazy boy chair and turn on the download.
The hypnosis mp3 download will begin by calming you and putting you into a hypnotic trance. It can do so using a number of techniques involving visualization and/or counting techniques. Once you are in a hypnotic trance, you will allow the suggestions given to flow over you, assimilating them into your subconscious brain. You can use the download for weight loss and listen to suggestions like “You will avoid sugary or fatty foods” or “You will only eat healthy foods” or “You will exercise every day for half an hour.” These suggestions will stick in your mind even after you wake up so that you can begin to lose weight without using any special diet or using diet pills.
The hypnosis mp3 download has many advantages. If you are shy, you don’t have to meet the hypnotherapist in person, especially if you are embarrassed about being put under hypnosis. You have the option (and should) to listen to the mp3 download as many times as it takes to get the suggestions to stick firmly in your psyche and begin to change your behavior. The hypnosis mp3 downloads are relatively inexpensive when compared to having a series of hypnosis sessions. You get to keep the hypnosis mp3 download as long as you wish and can use it to relax anytime you want to. It can be a mantra for the way you want to live your life and can really be a lifesaver for you.
Getting a hypnosis mp3 download is as easy a searching for it on the Internet. Follow the directions and be specific about what your needs are. Some sites offer basic “weight loss” downloads or “quit smoking downloads” but the best sites are those that offer customizable downloads. They can be exactly directed at your problem and can be good for those with unusual phobias. For example, if you are phobic about bees, you can tell the site about your phobia and they can create a specific download with suggestions like “You are no longer afraid of bees” or “Bees no longer bother you” or “Bee are just another insect that won’t attract your attention.” After such a download, you may find yourself thinking, feeling and acting differently around bees and your life will be altered. You can listen to the download whenever you want.
A hypnosis mp3 download is a safe and easy way to change your life in a positive way without having to see a hypnotherapist in person.
