Simple Health Cures

    Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States and many people are trying to lose weight. With the busy lifestyle of people all over the country with work, school, and families, people want to know ow to lose weight quickly. Although losing extreme amounts of weight will not stay off long, you can still in a healthy manner lose weight quickly. There are two main things to keep in mind for losing weight and that is proper dieting and losing calories through working out.

As far as dieting goes, you should cut out all junk foods and processed foods such as chips, soda, candy, etc. Foods should all be whole and natural. The best foods for losing weight are chicken, eggs, milk, lean beef, and oats. These are filling and high in protein which is great for women diets. The reason that women that are dieting need more protein is because most do not weight life and they require additional protein. A moderately high protein, medium carbs, and low fat diet is the most common and proven to be the best and quickest way to easily lose weight.

Workouts can be either using weights, but to lose fat quickly, it is best to stay with doing cardio exercises only. The way to lose fat is simply having less calories eaten compared to the calories being burned. Cardio workouts increase the amount of calories burned which means more pounds of weight are lost compared to other means. Great workouts for cardio are the elliptical machine but the best fat burning workout is doing interval sprints. For example, running for 60 seconds followed by a 30 second walk. This will make the body burn extreme amounts of calories and also spike up the metabolism making the body naturally burn more calories.

There are many different ways to diet and workout, but keeping things simple will help lose the weight quickly. Starting with simple changes to diet and slowing becoming more active will build motivation and a strong foundation. After a few weeks, it all becomes a habit and almost second nature. You will feel better and excited about losing weight and in no time quickly lose all the weight that was planned to be lost. An important last tip is to always consult your general doctor on what you plan on doing and what you will eat and how your workouts will go.

    Many years ago when man was much more primitive in nature he had to make the most of what he had in order to survive. The human race has become more accustomed to look for help on how to get healthy from doctors and prescription drugs rather than from natural healing resources such as plants. God in his infinite intelligence created man’s body as the perfect healing machine. Notice that when you get a cut on your arm, within 24 hours your skin will rejuvenated itself. Better yet, clip your fingernails and toenails and check them one month later to see if they have grown again. You will find that the answer will be a resounding yes! Learning how to get healthy should never be sought in artificial external sources such as prescription medicines.

According to expert pharmacist Ben Fuchs, ” Drugs do not heal people. There is not a single drug in the world that heals people. Drugs are beneficial if you have a life threatening issue and you need to knock out one of the systems of the body, but only in a temporary fashion.” Why we look to drugs to get healthy as our first option is something that has become a part of our thinking through medical dogmas and propaganda. Hundreds of years ago people cured sicknesses with natural remedies and nutrition not with engineered formulas.

Real nutrition is the way that the creator intended for your body to heal. If you understand that statement, you should never have to wonder how to get healthy if you have an ailment. It is said that if a person eats properly and modestly take care of his or herself, the body will rejuvenate itself every seven years. Many nutrients like selenium, calcium, zinc, essential fatty acids and other nutrients can play a big part in restoring the body through nutritional healing. The body is the best medicines every created. If you are lacking any key nutrients it will search itself and find the missing nutrients in  your body and immediately replace them. So you can see that your body already knows how to get healthy on its own.

Fuchs states, “The most important nutrient that the body gets depleted of when we sleep is protein. When most people wake up they eat carbohydrates ( sugars) in the morning like bread, muffins, bagels and cereals. These thing further deplete the body of key nutrients because they require a lot of work for the body to assimilate. The top three nutrients that the body needs are proteins, fats and then carbohydrates.”

The nutritional healing that you are seeking from any sickness will not be found in any drug. You were created as a perfect being that has the capacity to heal itself given that the proper infrastructures are set in place. You already know to get healthy subconsciously. Eating a diet rich in micro nutrients will be the key to you being healthy. This will mean that you have to cut out eating fried foods, refined sugars, carbonated drinks and junk food if you truly desire to be healthy. Fruits, vegetables and proteins are the answers to how to get healthy without medicines drugs.

   There are some great doctors out there. But there are also some that are so arrogant as to be dangerous to your health and even your life. Here are 10 ways I’ve figured out over the years to get the most from your doctor and keep your doctor from being your executioner, too!

1. Find doctor who listen. It is estimated that doctors often do 80% or more of the talking in a medical appointment. This is not good medical practice. A doctor should ask questions and thoroughly listen to the answers, as well as listening to patient concerns. If your doctors doesn’t listen, it is time to walk out and get a new doctor. Immediately.

2. Don’t go to an overbooked doctor. Some doctors will spend less than 5 minutes per patients. This is not sufficient time to hear patients concerns and effectively evaluate the problem. If your doctor won’t spend the necessary time to actually help you, your doctor is not good for your health.

3. Find a doctor who “sees” you. If you’re overweight, as I am, most doctors will blame everything on your weight. This is absurd! If your doctor cannot see you as an individaul, he or she is wrong for you.

4. Don’t go to a doctor you can’t see. Many medical offices have an over-dependence on nurse practitioners and medical assistance. This is great if you have a minor issues. But these folks, while trained to handle everyday issues, are not the appropriate person to be assigned to if you have something complex going on. If you can’t actually see the docotr in a reasonsable amount of time, that person is the wrong docotr for you.

5. A pill is not the solution to everything. If your doctor gets out the prescription pad too soon, run, do not walk, away from that office. All prescriptions are small doses of some sort of poison or another. This is why you can have “overdose.” Too many doctors see a pill as the solution for everything. Sometimes a prescription is appropriate and sometimes it isn’t. Especially beware of doctors who over-prescribes antibiotics. If you take too many and then really need them, you may be resistant to their beneficial effects.

6. Check out all prescriptions with your pharmacist and/or the internet. Your doctor is, surprisingly, not the expert on medications. Your pharmacist is. Before you fill a prescription or put one pill in your mouth, check out drug interactions, side effects, and contraindications. Be especially careful if more than one doctor prescribes you medications. Certain combinations can be deadly. Don’t just trust that, even if you’ve told the doctor everything you’re taking, that your doctor will check things out. In the end, you are responsible for assuring that you don’t take something that will be dangerous to you.

7. Stay away from arrogant doctors. A good doctor will see you as a vital partner in your health care. Too many doctors, however, think that they’re gods. If your doctors bristles at being questioned or starts to rattle off his or her education to bully you into doing what the doctor orders, leave immediately. An arrogant doctor is a bad doctor.

8. Carry copies of your medications and your lab tests with you everywhere, and keep them updated.Don’t trust the labs to get your results to all of your doctors, even if you’ve asked to have the results sent multiple places. Carry copy with you of your latest ( and 2-3 previous) lab results to show your doctors has an up-to-date list of everything you’re taking. Copy the exact information off of the prescription label. In a pinch, take all of your prescriptions with you to a medical visit. The medical assistant will copy down the information off of the prescription label. In a pinch, take all of your prescriptions with you to a medical visit. The medical assistant will copy down the information from the label.

9. Always question the reasons for tests. Some doctors practice “defense medicine.” They’ll order unnecessary tests just to cover all bases. Always ask why a test is being ordered, what the risks are, and what the doctor is expecting to find. If you don’t get good answer, the test is probably unnecessary. Keep in mind that medical tests are medical procedures. Even a simple blood draw has risks, to say nothing of more complicated testing.

10. Take a clue from office staff. No matter how great you think the doctor is, you will not be safe or happy in the long run if the office staff is incompetent, rude, or curt. Remember, the office staff is an indication of the attitudes of the doctor towards his or her patients. If the staff is wonderful, there is a good chance the doctor will be, too.

Ultimately, your health is in your own hands. Don’t give all of your power away to the medical establishment. Even if doctors try to bully you or demean you ( as they often will), remember that it’s your body, not theirs. Don’t agree to anything you don’t understand or are uncomfortable with. The life and health you save may be your own.

   Here is one of the biggest reasons to pay attention to your fitness: diabetes. For those of us that have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is crucial to have strong fitness goals. For folks who are overweight, engaging in a fitness program may slow or prevent the onset of diabetes.

There is an epidemic quickly spreading throughout the land. The disease is Type 2 Diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes. While it has a different physiology than the juvenile onset Type 1, the implications over time can be just devastating.

Type 2 Diabetes can be brought on by any number of factors, not the least of which is a sedentary lifestyle that lacks any kind of fitness regimen. As the body works to process the excess sugar in a person who is living a lifestyle high in sugar and low in exercise, the pancreas eventually surrenders and decreases the amount of insulin it is normally able to produce. This has far reaching implications for the circulatory and nervous systems. In addition to the increased chances of heart attack and stroke, the damage to nerve endings can affect the feet and legs, sometimes with dire-consequences.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that if it is caught early enough, the onset Type 2 Diabetes can be slowed or even reversed with a change in diet and a steady fitness routine. it is well documented that engaging in cardiovascular exercise combined with some weight can have profound fitness/ diabetes implications. People have been able to stop taking diabetes or blood pressure medications altogether because they chose the path of fitness. Fitness goes up and the chances of diabetes goes down. It really is that simple!

Diet is also a big part of health picture. When you start a fitness routine, it’s important to give the body what it needs for energy and muscle building. Developing proper nutrition plan is key. This combination of good nutrition and regular exercise will work to greatly reduce your chances of developing diabetes.

Fitness is something that is only a worthy goal, but a necessary component of a healthy and active lifestyle. If someone told you that you could increase your lifespan by years and avoid the effects of a debilitating illness like diabetes, of course you would be interested right? Take the time right now to affirm your goal of a healthy, long, life. Doing so now will help you avoid the enemy of fitness: diabetes!!!

   The emphasis on kids fitness has almost exclusively been placed on the fitness of their bodies and ignores what it does for their minds. In order for kids brains to attain peak performance, physical activity is crucial.

Exercise affects mood, anxiety, attention, and ability to learn. If flights off depression and can generate enthusiasm for learning or the task at hand. It has a positive effect on the neurotransmitters that determines thoughts and emotions. Later in life a reduces the effects of aging in the brain.

In reality, the brain responds like muscles do, withering with inactivity, growing with use. Exercise causes the brain neurons to grow and bloom, and to improve in function at the fundamental levels. Scientists have found that muscle movement produces proteins that travel by way of the bloodstream into the brain. These protein play a major role in our thought processes. Only within the past few years that scientists have begun to describe how these factors work.

Certainly, there is much we don’t understand about what goes on in the brain, but what we are learning can help make big changes in our lives.

Why care about the brain? If for no other reason, it’s running the slow. For another, evidence shows that our brains, when stimulated by exercise, function at it’s peak and adds considerably to the learning and problem solving processes.

If we can understand just the basics of how exercise, and kids fitness and weight management routines improve brain function, we should have increased motivation to make it a priority for both ourselves and your kids. It can more readily become something you want to do, rather than something you “should” do. Something that will have us, and our kids, performing at our best whether it’s a physical or mental task.

Only a small minority of high schools offer a physical education class. Most grade schools have cut either the frequency, or time allotted for physical education, or both. At the same time, an increasing number of kids are spending five or more hours a day watching TV, playing video games, and on their computers. This suggests that at a  time when more fitness and exercise is needed, educators and administrators are prescribing less.

Kids fitness and weight management programs have gained much attention as a result of what’s been labeled a “childhood obesity epidemic”. Recent research shows that, not only the body, but the mind functions at it’s best when exercise is a part of our daily routine, for both adults, and kids alike.

    The holidays aren’t usually the first spot in people’s minds where dieting begins. Many say they eat whatever during the holiday seasons then they will work it all off when the new year comes around. It’s much harder to do than it sounds. Some opt out of the fretting during the new year and try to keep in line during the holidays. Many fail. so what happens when you blow your diet? Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to end there. You can back on track!

You wake up feeling bloated wondering why and then you remember the plate of desserts you inhaled last night at the holiday gathering. You get annoyed at yourself, buyt remember those cookies were delicious. Realize it is normal to overindulge at times, but now you must put the plan into action to make yourself feel better. The absolute first thing to do is eat some breakfast. If you get your metabolism going you won’t eat too much during the day. As you eat think about what you can do to get yourself back on track. Reduce your calorie intake by eating healthier foods. It’s as easy as that. Working out is essential to getting back on track. Even a brisk walk or lifting weights is better than nothing.

Usually we are not invited to only one holiday gathering. If you don’t want to feel like this every day after the gatherings try to set some goals for yourself. Have one cookie instead of the entire plate. Eat one helping of the casserole. Write this down if it will help solidify it for you. Keeping a food diary will help keep you feeling accountable for everything that enters your mouth. These days there are even apps on the phone to help with thisso you don’t have to carry around pen and paper.

Throughtout the day as you try to feel better you will probably find many temptations. Your body remembers how yummy the food was last night. Try not to eat the leftovers in the fridge. The goodies are just toying with your emotions. Drinks water or green tea to help quench this thought. If you still need something then eat a small snack. As night comes this hunger monster will probably strike its head out of boredom. Tell it to go away and just drink some water.

Each day will bring new challenge, but be able to fight them. If you begin your short walk one day it will eventually change into a longer walk. Exercising will help you feel better and help your body get in shape. As you attend other holiday gatherings remember a few things to help you get through it. Don’t eat because you are nervous or bored. Get away from the table of food! If you drink alcohol make sure to drink water as well. The best thing to do above anything is to engage with others. Instead of eating just enjoy the company around you. Don’t wait until the new year hits to beat the crowd at the gym. Make a choice to change your destiny now!

   When it comes to our daily diet and nutrition, we all have what we can consider to be our “nutrition comfort zone.” Today, I want to give you some tips you can use the next time you find yourself outside your comfort zone.

Whether you’re on a business trip, away visiting friends or family or just on vacation, being well prepared and staying on track with your nutrition is very important because when you return home, moving ahead with your goals is going to be a lot easier.

So let’s look at three places where you can go to find some decent nutrition when you’re away from home…

The local grocery store- This, of course, should be a no-brainer for all of you because you already have a set routine for shopping for your groceries at home. The difference here is that in most cases, if you’re staying in a hotel, you don’t have the luxury of a full size refrigerator or a stove. Therefore, the bulk of your time should be spent in the fresh fruit and vegetables section of the store. Get yourself some “ready-to-eat” fruits, and vegetables. Just buy as much as you’re going to eat that day. That way you don’t have to worry about storing it or having it good bad. In many cases, you’ll probably find that better stores will have pre-prepared fresh vegetables in little plastic containers you can take with you and eat whenever you get hungry. Your other main stopping point in the store will be for some good sources of protein. Some ideas might be some raw nuts, seeds or even some natural Greek Yogurt and hummus to dip your fresh veggies into.

The corner store or hotel gift shop- While it’s not the most ideal place to shop and get yourself back into your nutrition comfort zone, it may be your only option in many cases, so you’ll just have to make the best of it, at least until you can get another store which has wiser choices. Always remember your macro nutrients. Try to make choices that are as healthy as possible from each of these groups. ( Proteins, carbohydrates and fats).

Food concessions at the airport- Finally, let’s look at the seemingly endless layovers and delays at airports when on your way to or from a trip. My first bit of advice would be that you try to bring your own food with you for your time at the airport. This will keep you satisfied, and closer to your comfort zone than buying something there. If you must choose from the airport’s selection, try to go to a restaurant, if available, and order something that’s somewhat healthy. if you’re traveling with a group, make sure you order first so that you’re not tempted by what everyone else orders, and most important, if you are full, stop eating!

    You have enough on this holiday season to have to put anything else on your plate so then why do you keep putting more stuff on your plate literally? It’s so easy to get stressed out and over whelmed this time of year. The holidays are supposed to be all about cheer, and giving and love so then why do they feel like stress, and anxiety, and…

Let me make this easy on you. You know that you should be eating healthy, and you know that healthy eating will make you feel better. You just don’t know how to do it especially this time of year when there aren’t a lot of healthy options to choose from.

Well, here are 10 simple food substitutions that you can make this Holidays season, to help you feel better about the food you are eating and the way you are treating your body. After all, why wait until January 1st to start your annual ” get healthy” kick?

1. Almond milk ( rice or soy milk can work too): Almond milk has a creamy texture and a very neutral taste ( just make sure you buy the Unsweetened). Ift has less calories than fat-free milk and is much easier on your digestive system. Plus, it had additional nutrients that you just won’t find in cow’s milk.

2. Yogurt ( Organic): Use yogurt instead of cream in recipes. It will thicken them up without adding all the fat and calories. Greek yogurt works great as it is a bit thicker than regular yogurt, but either can work.

3. Stevia: This is the greatest substitute for sugar. A little goes a very long way. It is calories free and is 100% natural ( unlike all the other sugar substitutes out there). Just make sure you adjust the wet-ingredients in a recipe if you are replacing it with sugar because the ratio will be off.

4. Whole-wheat flour: Substitute for white-flour in recipes, or ask for whole-wheat pastas, breads etc, when ordering out.White flour is white because they bleach it and you now that can’t be good for you!

5. Brown rice: Just like white-flour, white-rice is refined to get it down to the white color, stripping away most of the nutrients. Brown rice has a better texture anyway, so eat up.

6. Coconut oil ( organic, un-refined): Use this in place of butter. It has the same consistency as butter does ( hard when cold, liquid when warm), and can be substituted ounce in recipes. And while it is still a saturated fat, your body processes it differently than butter, and it can actually help speed up your metabolism. I will warn you that it does have a slight taste to it ( which I happen to love, especially on fish and in baked goods).

7. Raw cocoas: Unlike “chocolate” which is full of added sugars and fats, raw cocoa is truly good for you. It is full of antioxidants and has a very deep, rich flavor. A little goes a long way.

8 Sweet potatoes: Known as a Holiday treat already ( because of the loads of sugar and butter that is usually added to them), sweet potatoes have a surprising amount of good for you qualities. Substitute them for white potatoes ( baked, in casseroles stc,) and enjoy the added vitamins. Please, forego the butter and sugar though.

9. Home-made Spiced Nuts: Who doesn’t love spices Nuts over the Holidays? But why but them with all the extra sugar and oil, when you can just as easily throw some raw nuts on a cookie sheet, coat them with a little bit of Grade B maple syrup, a pinch of salt, and toss them in the oven on 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes?

10. Tarts vs. Pies: The Holidays are all about sweet indulgences, so I don’t want to take those away from you. However, eating a tart will usually save you a vast amount of calories, sugar, and often belly-ache. Moreover, if you skip the crust altogether, you will be doing yourself even more of a favor.

See, not too bad, right? Just making a few simple substitutions will make a vast difference in how you feel during, and after this holiday season.

    Blueberries owe their deep, blue color to a class of phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Like lycopene, anthocyanins have potent antioxidants power, but they are also true workhorses when it comes to fighting inflammation. Science is now telling us that excessive inflammation plays a major role in the development of a board range of diseases, including heart attacks, some cancers, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disease, and allergic conditions. When you regularly consume blueberries, along with other anthocyanins rich foods, like cherries, blackberries, and raspberries, you are infusing your body with a forceful weapon against some of the most common and deadliest illnesses known to man.

Broccoli is teaming witj sulforaphane, one of the most powerful known anti-cancer phytochemicals. Like lycopene and anthocyanins, this phytochemicals star is also a potent antioxidants. Its special anti-cancer powers, though, are largely due to its ability to boost the body’s detoxifying enzymes systems. Fortunately, our systems possess a remarkable class of chemicals called phase 2 enzymes. Phrase 2 enzymes rid the body of carcinogens and other toxic agents. This innate system is one of the body’s primary defenses against carcinogens, and it protects us from many forms of cancer to include those of the breast, lung, and colon. Eating your broccoli, along with its cruciferous cousins, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and collards all of which contains similar phytochemicals will send your detoxifying, cancer-protective enzyme systems into overdrive.

Nature’s storehouse is filled with delicious fruits and vegetables of almost every color and texture. From the deep blue- purple of blueberries, to blackberries, to the bright orange-yellow of tangerines and bell peppers, the more colorful the food, the more packed with nutrients it is. Eat from the entire spectrum to take advantage of the ten of thousands of beneficial compounds these foods offer. When it comes to phytochemicals, you want the entire army, not just a lone soldier. Have a little bit of every color, blue, red, green and yellow each day and every day. Remember, color means health: the deeper and richer the color, the more phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals present in the food.

   Although you may not have recognized them as phytochemicals, many of you are likely familiar with some of the commonly known superstars such as lycopene in tomatoes, anthocyanins in berries, and sulforaphane in broccoli. I am certain that a brief profile of just these three amazing plant chemicals will  motivate you to eat your fruits and vegetables with robust enthusiasm.

Lycopene is the phytochemicals pigment in tomatoes that gives them their vivid red color and is one of the most potent antioxidants known. Antioxidants are scavengers of rogue molecules called free radicals, which run around in our bodies initiating a cascade of damaging oxidation. Free radicals are by products of the body’s normal metabolic processes, although they can also enter our bodies from environmental sources like tobacco smoke, chemicals, smog, prescription drugs, ultraviolet radiation, and even the foods we eat.  Unfortunately, the oxidation induced by free radicals damages vital ceeular structures and ultimately contributes to the development of cancer, heart disease, cataracts, arthritis, skin wrinkling, and even the aging process itself. Because cancer can result from a deficiency of antioxidants, and lycopene is such a powerful antioxidant, it is not surprising that studies from around the word have revealed general cancer protection from diets rich in tomatoes.