Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

All It Takes Is One Boiled Egg To Control Sugar In The Blood

People’s health in general is considerably influenced by the food they consume and their lifestyle. However, the fact that we live in a polluted environment makes it clear that we are surrounded by different chemicals and toxins all the time.

Not only these chemicals and toxins endanger our health, but they also contribute to numerous diseases.

Frequently, people take routine medical tests and examinations in order to discover imbalances or increased/reduces values of the blood sugar or blood pressure, which can significantly impact the health of the entire body. Disorders of this kind are in fact silent killers which slowly lead to changes beyond repair.

One of the most devious diseases is diabetes, as this disease impact the way the body handles the blood glucose. Most patients suffer from diabetes of the type 2, meaning that their body is not able to properly use insulin.


The number of diabetes patients is constantly and rapidly increasing and thus you should see your family doctor and check the levels of sugar in your blood. In case that the level of sugar in your blood exceeds 126 mg/dl for fasting blood test, or 200 mg/dl at any time during the day, it means you have diabetes.

Luckily, when it comes to the levels of sugar in the blood, there is a natural remedy that acts quickly and can be very beneficial. For preparation of this homemade remedy you will only need vinegar, water, and a boiled egg.

Preparation
Take an egg and boil in the afternoon. Peel it, and using a fork, pierce it a couple of times. Then, place the egg in a big bowl, and then add vinegar, leaving it like this to stand overnight.

The following morning, consume the egg combining it with a glass of warm water.

Do this every day, and your blood sugar levels will be considerably reduced.

No need to hesitate, act now and start improving your health condition and reducing the high blood sugar levels.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

A Holistic Nutritionist Shares Her Top Health Tips—and We're Listening

You've probably heard rumblings about the term holistic nutrition before, but we're guessing you might not really know what it means. We didn't either, and our curiosity led us to a pro on the subject matter, and holistic nutritionist herself, Tara Curran. Curran, who is also the wellness director of Montauk's ever-popular hot spot The Surf Lodge, was kind enough to give us the lowdown on this highly popular approach to health and wellness. And if her demeanor and beauty, inside and out, have anything to say for it, we're listening.

The key to the holistic approach is not about focusing on just a diet, rather it's about overall heath encompassing the mind, body, and soul. Curran, like many of us, was drawn to the holistic aspect after seeing positive results and finding balance through the total body approach. Below she has shared her top 10 tips pertaining to holistic nutrition and how to get on board with the lifestyle, one step at a time. 

It's All About Tuning in to Your Body
Curran explains that your body can tell you everything you need to know, specifically what you are lacking and what you need more of. All you have to do is listen. A great tool for achieving this is through journaling. Writing down how you feel after meals, or jotting down a stream of consciousness (whatever comes to mind first thing in the morning), is how you can truly understand and appreciate what your body is trying to tell you.

Heal From the Inside Out
It's really important to heal yourself from the inside out. When you're beginning to feel run down or sick, rather than reaching for conventional medicine (like antibiotics, which can sometimes do more harm than good), try adding foods into your diet that can help re-energize you and boost your immunity naturally. Curran turns to a shot of apple cider vinegar to fix almost any ailment or a few drops of oil of oregano (a natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal) at the first sign of a sniffle. It can even be as simple as slowing down your daily pace or allowing yourself some extra sleep when you feel as though you need it. 

Think Whole When It Comes to Foods
Holistic nutrition takes the approach of nurturing your body with foods foraged from nature. This entails filling your day with real fruits and veggies found at the farmer's market, or in the produce aisle if that's not an option. Curran encourages all of her clients to add leafy greens into their diet—something most of us are missing on a daily basis—and to turn to fruits and berries or seeds and nuts for snacking (i.e. anything pre-packaged is a no-no). Before eliminating anything from your diet, which can force you to fixate on the idea of depriving yourself, first focus on adding these healthy, natural foods to see how you feel. You might not miss the not-so-good for you staples you were once relying on if you've replaced them with healthy yet satisfying swaps.

Give Your Gut a Boost
Your health begins in your gut. In order for everything to fall into place (and for your overall bodily system to function properly), a lot of focus needs to be placed on your digestive organs. Curran suggests taking a daily probiotic, which is the number one supplement most people need to help boost and improve digestive health. Essentially, probiotics help build good bacteria in the stomach. Adding fermented foods and tons of leafy greens into your daily diet can also naturally help the body regulate and absorb nutrients, as well as eliminate toxins.


Make No Excuses, Exercise
Whether it's taking daily walks, adding a yoga practice to your routine, or trying out a high-intensity fitness class, moving your body is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Not only is it essential for maintaining a healthy weight, but regular exercise boosts your endorphins, helps you rid your body of toxins (it's called sweat), and helps eliminate anxiety and stress by clearing your mind. It's also an allotted amount of time you can dedicate to yourself.

Be Mindful
Mindfulness is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to overall wellness. Though it sounds like an intimidating term, the meaning is simple: Start by paying closer attention to ingredients in your food and by familiarizing yourself with food and product labels. This is how you'll know what you're putting into your body, and you'll begin to identify what you should avoid. Another key element of practicing mindfulness in terms of holistic nutrition is slowing down to listen to the body. What you're feeling, seeing, hearing, or sensing will also help you reflect on what you can change or continue to do for the benefit of your own health and wellness.

Practice Balance
Figuring out what works best for your body, mind, and soul is a never-ending journey. Even if you think you've got it all figured out, your routine and diet should not be regimented to eating or doing the same thing every day. It's extremely important to allow yourself to indulge or treat yourself in certain situations, make time for rest days between exercise or get an extra hour of sleep, which can rejuvenate and re-energize your body in the best way possible.

Get Serious About Self-Care
Self-care can be defined as something you do for you and only you. Oftentimes when you're stressed or overwhelmed, it's because you have forgotten to take time for yourself and your own well-being. Self-care can take the form of many manifestations including exercise, journaling, meditation, or simply just taking time out of a hectic day to be alone in your thoughts. Do what feels best for you, and do it often.

Watch What You're Putting Into/Onto Your Body
Skin is the largest organ of the body and it absorbs everything. Just as you should start paying attention to which ingredients and products you put into your body (via food, supplements, and more), it's just as important to know what your skin is being subjected to. Ingredients in your skincare, toothpaste, deodorant, and other bodily products can affect more than just your exterior—your skin. Especially for women, many products are classified as endocrine disrupters, which affect hormone levels and other natural bodily functions that undoubtedly impact your overall health.

Stick With the Season
Eating seasonally is so important when it comes to holistic nutrition. Shopping at your local farmer's markets or looking for the seasonal signage in your grocery store will help you know that what you're eating is fresh and in-season. Just as the weather changes, different types of foods are more plentiful and provide the appropriate nutrients, which naturally helps our bodies transition from warmer to colder months. It's like clockwork.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

6 Ways To Finally Become A Morning Person

Pop quiz: How do you react when your alarm goes off? A) Hit the snooze button a half dozen times. B) Begrudgingly slide out of bed. C) Toss the covers off with glee and start your day.

You may need to let your genes answer. While our lifestyle habits and personality traits contribute to our preferred sleep routines, it’s the genes of early birds and night owls that determine what time of day they are most alert.

Does it matter if you’re a morning person or a night owl? “The world is oriented toward rewarding morning people,” said Laura Vanderkamp who is the author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: “Research has shown that students who are alert in their morning classes get better grades. And in the workforce, if you’re on top of your game at an 8 a.m. meeting, everyone notices.” In other words, no one sees how much energy you have or how hard you’re working at 11 p.m.

But here’s the good news: It’s possible to seize the day and develop morning-person habits, even if your genes say otherwise. We partnered with Tropicana and talked to experts about the best tips and tricks to follow to help you make the most of your mornings.

1. Calculate Your Ideal Bedtime
The easiest way to wake up earlier in the morning is to get enough sleep. But that number can be drastically different for everyone. Here’s how to figure out your sleep needs: For a week, track the number of hours you sleep, including weekends. Divide that number by seven to calculate your nightly need. In reality, babies, work projects or a “Sherlock” marathon can make this exercise laughable. If that’s the case, think about a time you’ve been on vacation or of a night you felt particularly rested — how much sleep did you get? Once you have that number, count backwards from the time you want to get up and plan to go to bed at that new hour.

2. Identify Your Stay-Awake Triggers
Nighttime can slip away fast, especially when you have a lot to accomplish. To be successful in sticking with an earlier bedtime, you may need to set an alarm to start winding down. And contrary to popular advice, you don’t have to turn off screens right before bed. “It’s really an individual thing,” said Vanderkamp. “Think about what gets you going and has your mind racing and avoid it.” Reading is a great way to unwind and relax, but reading a thriller may not be the best idea. Paying bills or checking your child’s schoolwork could induce more stress than watching a comedy that sends you off to bed with a smile.


3. Create A Morning To-Do List
Another good habit is to think about what you want to accomplish in the morning. “Having a morning goal is the best motivation,” said McKey. She recommends writing three tasks you have to do the next day. “This way you’ll feel like you’re on a mission when you wake up, you’ll get closer to your morning goal and you’ll have a clear schedule to follow.” Seeing the benefits of your earlier wake-up time (like feeling less overwhelmed when you arrive at work) will make it feel less like a chore.

4. Reward Yourself
Similarly, have a reward in mind for why you want to wake up early. “Every kid is a morning person on Christmas day,” said Vanderkamp. Find a little bit of that magical motivation: Think of something you want to do, but can never find the time to do, whether it’s playing with your cat, catching up with a friend or enjoying a home-cooked breakfast. McKey’s own reward is to see the sunrise, which is why she jogs early in the morning.

5. Exercise
“People who exercise tend to sleep better than those who don’t,” said Vanderkamp. Indeed, studies have shown a strong correlation to a better quality of sleep for people who work out at least 10 minutes a day. One reason: exercise reduces your stress levels, which in turn helps combat insomnia. By working out, your body releases serotonin and endorphins. “Both of these hormones are responsible for happiness, will help you feel more energized during the day and you’ll be able to think more clearly,” said McKey.

6. Ask Yourself, ‘Why Do You Want To Do This?’
It can be difficult to develop new habits on demand, even if you know the habit is positive and useful. Think about New Year’s resolutions. Even when it’s something you should be doing, success rates are incredibly low. “If someone chooses to develop morning-person habits by their own will — not because a spouse or friend said so — it will be easier to do,” said McKey. Think about how becoming a morning person can make your life better. For most people, just knowing that they’re most productive in the morning is a big incentive. As Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am.”