Here are two more great yoga poses you can try at the home or office.
The Supported Seated Forward Bend stretches the hamstrings and inner thighs, and releases tension along the spine. It helps promotes focus, and stimulates the sixth chakra, which activates intuition and wisdom.
To do it, sit on a cushion on the floor with your legs extended on either side of a chair. Fold forward at the hips and rest your forehead and arms on the seat of the chair. Take deep, slow breaths through your nose and hold for 3 to 5 minutes.
The Supported Goddess pose releases tight hips, stretches the groin muscles, and connects you to the grounding energy of the root chakra, located at the base of your spine.
To do it, lie on your back with the bottoms of your feet touching and knees splayed to the sides resting on pillows or rolled blankets. Feel your spine on the floor. Place your palms on your belly or rest your arms out to the sides, palms up. Let your belly slowly rise and fall with each breath. Remain here for 3 to 5 minutes, or however long you like.
SmartToes Toe Stretchers and Straightener unique design are beneficial to stretching your hamstrings, as well as hammer toe. SmartToes also provide hammer toe treatment, bunion treatment and overall relief for stressed out feet.
SmartToes are available at Duane Reade.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Immune Boosting Foods
Stay healthy this winter with these two immune boosting foods.
Raw kale is one of the best sources of vitamin C and has the added benefit of being low in sugar and high in fiber -- an overall healthy choice. Vitamin C is very sensitive to heat, breaking down the nutrient and making it less effective, so enjoying kale raw is best. Stick to thinly cut ribbons of the veggie, which packs a bigger punch than salad greens. Each 100 gram serving of raw kale includes about 120 mg of vitamin C, well over the recommended dietary amounts for men (90 mg) and women (75 mg). Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. It's a commonly used immune-boosting nutrient, though there is little clinical research that can explain how vitamin C helps boost immunity. Studies show that vitamin C won't help curtail a cold that's already in progress, observational data shows that people who have a vitamin C-rich diet tend to have shorter, more mild colds.
Brazil nuts are the richest source of selenium, a nutrient that helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals. That means selenium may help prevent chronic diseases like some cancers and heart disease, but also plays a role in protecting the immune system by helping to form infection-fighting T-cells. One study showed that the compound also helps regulate intestinal flora -- helping gut bacteria to defeat invading pathogens. Brazil nuts are so high in selenium that a single nut has nearly twice the recommended daily dose. Adults require 55 microgams per day, a Brazil nut has 95 mcgs, and a single ounce has 544 mcgs. Too much selenium can be bad for your health, so not all the time.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and FlaxVibrance with lignans are also a delicious choice to help boost your immune system, and high in fiber. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
Raw kale is one of the best sources of vitamin C and has the added benefit of being low in sugar and high in fiber -- an overall healthy choice. Vitamin C is very sensitive to heat, breaking down the nutrient and making it less effective, so enjoying kale raw is best. Stick to thinly cut ribbons of the veggie, which packs a bigger punch than salad greens. Each 100 gram serving of raw kale includes about 120 mg of vitamin C, well over the recommended dietary amounts for men (90 mg) and women (75 mg). Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. It's a commonly used immune-boosting nutrient, though there is little clinical research that can explain how vitamin C helps boost immunity. Studies show that vitamin C won't help curtail a cold that's already in progress, observational data shows that people who have a vitamin C-rich diet tend to have shorter, more mild colds.
Brazil nuts are the richest source of selenium, a nutrient that helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals. That means selenium may help prevent chronic diseases like some cancers and heart disease, but also plays a role in protecting the immune system by helping to form infection-fighting T-cells. One study showed that the compound also helps regulate intestinal flora -- helping gut bacteria to defeat invading pathogens. Brazil nuts are so high in selenium that a single nut has nearly twice the recommended daily dose. Adults require 55 microgams per day, a Brazil nut has 95 mcgs, and a single ounce has 544 mcgs. Too much selenium can be bad for your health, so not all the time.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and FlaxVibrance with lignans are also a delicious choice to help boost your immune system, and high in fiber. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Two Great Yoga Poses
The Supported Fish pose stretches the shoulders, neck, and chest; improves posture and deepens breathing, countering a forward hunch. The Supported Fish Pose opens the chest and extends the thoracic spine, bringing muscles back to their natural position. This restorative pose is recommended for moms who lift and carry babies or toddlers, and helps repair the damage of bending and lifting.
How You Do It:
Roll up a thin blanket and lie on your back, resting your shoulder blades on the blanket. If your head doesn't comfortably reach the floor, place another blanket or small pillow underneath. Let your breath rise and fall naturally, and stay here for three to five minutes, or as long as you like.
The Seal Pose stretches the belly and aids digestion, restores the curve in the lower back, helps protect the spine from long hours of sitting.
How You Do It:
Lie on your stomach with your legs and feet relaxed. Then, reaching your arms forward along the floor, straighten them just enough to lift your torso into a gentle back bend.
Do not strain or force; this should be a very passive and subtle stretch. Hold for three to five breaths, then release. Repeat for one to five minutes.
SmartToes Toe Stretchers and Straightener unique design are beneficial to stretching your hamstrings, as well as hammer toe. SmartToes also provide hammer toe treatment, bunion treatment and overall relief for stressed out feet.
SmartToes are available at Duane Reade.
How You Do It:
Roll up a thin blanket and lie on your back, resting your shoulder blades on the blanket. If your head doesn't comfortably reach the floor, place another blanket or small pillow underneath. Let your breath rise and fall naturally, and stay here for three to five minutes, or as long as you like.
The Seal Pose stretches the belly and aids digestion, restores the curve in the lower back, helps protect the spine from long hours of sitting.
How You Do It:
Lie on your stomach with your legs and feet relaxed. Then, reaching your arms forward along the floor, straighten them just enough to lift your torso into a gentle back bend.
Do not strain or force; this should be a very passive and subtle stretch. Hold for three to five breaths, then release. Repeat for one to five minutes.
SmartToes Toe Stretchers and Straightener unique design are beneficial to stretching your hamstrings, as well as hammer toe. SmartToes also provide hammer toe treatment, bunion treatment and overall relief for stressed out feet.
SmartToes are available at Duane Reade.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Bananas
Go bananas and lower your blood pressure.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, people with hypertension may benefit from upping the amount of potassium in their diet. Adults should get at least 4,700 milligrams a day. Most don’t get enough of this important mineral. Bananas at 422 milligrams each are a great choice
Other good choices are, a baked potato with skin, 738 milligrams, orange juice, 496 milligrams per cup, and nonfat or low-fat yogurt, 531–579 milligrams per 8 ounces.
We know that eating too much salt can raise blood pressure, but most people aren’t aware of the benefits of potassium, which counters sodium’s ill effects.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and lignans is also a delicious choice to help lower blood pressure, and is a great topping on yogurt. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
Bananas is also a 1971 Woody Allen film that's extremely funny, and enjoying a good laugh is another great way to lower your blood pressure. Woody visits the fictional South American country, San Marcos attempting to show his concern for the native people to impress Louise Lasser. Saved by the revolutionaries, he is then indebted to help them. When the revolution is successful, the Castro-style leader goes mad, forcing the rebels to place Woody as their President. When traveling back to the U.S. to obtain financial aid, he reunites with his activist ex-girlfriend and is exposed. He is eventually sentenced to prison, but his sentence is suspended on the condition that he does not move into the judge's neighborhood. Louise then agrees to marry him. The consummation of their marriage was announced "play by play" by Howard Cosell.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, people with hypertension may benefit from upping the amount of potassium in their diet. Adults should get at least 4,700 milligrams a day. Most don’t get enough of this important mineral. Bananas at 422 milligrams each are a great choice
Other good choices are, a baked potato with skin, 738 milligrams, orange juice, 496 milligrams per cup, and nonfat or low-fat yogurt, 531–579 milligrams per 8 ounces.
We know that eating too much salt can raise blood pressure, but most people aren’t aware of the benefits of potassium, which counters sodium’s ill effects.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and lignans is also a delicious choice to help lower blood pressure, and is a great topping on yogurt. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
Bananas is also a 1971 Woody Allen film that's extremely funny, and enjoying a good laugh is another great way to lower your blood pressure. Woody visits the fictional South American country, San Marcos attempting to show his concern for the native people to impress Louise Lasser. Saved by the revolutionaries, he is then indebted to help them. When the revolution is successful, the Castro-style leader goes mad, forcing the rebels to place Woody as their President. When traveling back to the U.S. to obtain financial aid, he reunites with his activist ex-girlfriend and is exposed. He is eventually sentenced to prison, but his sentence is suspended on the condition that he does not move into the judge's neighborhood. Louise then agrees to marry him. The consummation of their marriage was announced "play by play" by Howard Cosell.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Don't Get Sick
Here are a couple of quick tips to help avoid getting sick this season.
Get out the house or office. It may nice and toasty, but the problem is being inside puts you in close constant contact with other people and their filthy germs. Not only does escaping into the fresh air give you a break from all those germs circulating inside, but going for a walk can actually boost your immune system.
Wash your hands. Cold and flu can spread easily through touch. Try to keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible. Soap and water are your most effective weapon. Germs can grow on bar soaps, so use the pumped kind, or better yet, a hands-free dispenser. And choose regular soap over antibacterial. Dry your hands thoroughly. Damp hands are far more likely to spread bacteria than dry ones.
Get some rest. A 2009 Carnegie Mellon study found that anything short of seven hours nearly triples your odds of catching a cold. For many of us, the only quiet time we have to think through things is when we're lying down at bedtime. Unfortunately, problem-solving in bed interferes with sleep.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and lignans is also a great source of antioxidants which boosts your immune system. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
Get out the house or office. It may nice and toasty, but the problem is being inside puts you in close constant contact with other people and their filthy germs. Not only does escaping into the fresh air give you a break from all those germs circulating inside, but going for a walk can actually boost your immune system.
Wash your hands. Cold and flu can spread easily through touch. Try to keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible. Soap and water are your most effective weapon. Germs can grow on bar soaps, so use the pumped kind, or better yet, a hands-free dispenser. And choose regular soap over antibacterial. Dry your hands thoroughly. Damp hands are far more likely to spread bacteria than dry ones.
Get some rest. A 2009 Carnegie Mellon study found that anything short of seven hours nearly triples your odds of catching a cold. For many of us, the only quiet time we have to think through things is when we're lying down at bedtime. Unfortunately, problem-solving in bed interferes with sleep.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and lignans is also a great source of antioxidants which boosts your immune system. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Stand Up For Walking
Walking boosts your mood and reduces stress. Getting out in the fresh air for a walk, either in the morning or after work, is energizing after being stuck indoors. Try somewhere with some nice scenery, or a new neighborhood you haven't explored before. Invite a friend and enjoy some quality time while you both burn off some calories.
Walking also helps keep your bones strong. When you stay active and exercise regularly, including walking, you build strength not only in your muscles, but also in your bones. Therefore, walking is a great way to help prevent osteoporosis, a disease that many women are diagnosed with each year.
In addition, walking burns more calories than you'd think. A woman weighing 150 pounds walking briskly (4mph) for about 10 minutes can burn an extra 57 calories. Burn even more by walking up inclines.
Walking strengthens your heart and lungs. Like any exercise, walking helps you build strength and stay fit.
Moderate exercise like walking boosts the immune system, your ability to fight off viruses and infections. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity like walking into each day to keep your immune system strong.
Walk whenever possible during your day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If possible, skip the car or subway and walk to your next stop. Walking is one of the best and easiest ways to exercise outside of the gym. So go.
Try SmartSole Exercise Insole to help you burn more calories with every step and turn your everyday footwear into toning shoes.
SmartToes Toe Stretchers and Straightener unique design are beneficial to stretching your hamstrings, as well as hammer toe. SmartToes also provide hammer toe treatment, bunion treatment and overall relief for stressed out feet.
SmartSole and SmartToes are available at Duane Reade.
Walking also helps keep your bones strong. When you stay active and exercise regularly, including walking, you build strength not only in your muscles, but also in your bones. Therefore, walking is a great way to help prevent osteoporosis, a disease that many women are diagnosed with each year.
In addition, walking burns more calories than you'd think. A woman weighing 150 pounds walking briskly (4mph) for about 10 minutes can burn an extra 57 calories. Burn even more by walking up inclines.
Walking strengthens your heart and lungs. Like any exercise, walking helps you build strength and stay fit.
Moderate exercise like walking boosts the immune system, your ability to fight off viruses and infections. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity like walking into each day to keep your immune system strong.
Walk whenever possible during your day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If possible, skip the car or subway and walk to your next stop. Walking is one of the best and easiest ways to exercise outside of the gym. So go.
Try SmartSole Exercise Insole to help you burn more calories with every step and turn your everyday footwear into toning shoes.
SmartToes Toe Stretchers and Straightener unique design are beneficial to stretching your hamstrings, as well as hammer toe. SmartToes also provide hammer toe treatment, bunion treatment and overall relief for stressed out feet.
SmartSole and SmartToes are available at Duane Reade.
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Sunshine Vitamin
Vitamin D is a powerful health booster. Nicknamed the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is the only vitamin our body produces on its own with 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight exposure...but since it's tough to get enough from food and sunlight, especially during non-summer months and if you wear sunscreen, take a supplement to achieve optimal levels.
People who get enough vitamin D have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in Diabetes Care. Experts speculate that the nutrient's anti-inflammatory powers might be one way that it offers protection against the disease.
A growing body of research shows that not getting enough of this nutrient can trigger a slew of health problems—and experts believe that most of us have a vitamin D deficiency. Though current guidelines call for 600 to 800 IU daily, many researchers now believe we may need up to 4,000 IU.
The sunshine vitamin may also help ward off cancer. 77% of cancer patients have low levels of vitamin D, and the lowest levels are linked to more advanced cancers.
Getting enough Vitamin D may also improve asthma. Earlier research found that having low levels may make asthma symptoms worse, and a new study finds that lacking in D could make breathing harder by increasing airway smooth muscle mass in children with treatment-resistant asthma.
Vitamin D is found in multivitamins or stand-alone supplements; it's also commonly coupled with calcium.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and lignans is also a great source of antioxidants. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
People who get enough vitamin D have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in Diabetes Care. Experts speculate that the nutrient's anti-inflammatory powers might be one way that it offers protection against the disease.
A growing body of research shows that not getting enough of this nutrient can trigger a slew of health problems—and experts believe that most of us have a vitamin D deficiency. Though current guidelines call for 600 to 800 IU daily, many researchers now believe we may need up to 4,000 IU.
The sunshine vitamin may also help ward off cancer. 77% of cancer patients have low levels of vitamin D, and the lowest levels are linked to more advanced cancers.
Getting enough Vitamin D may also improve asthma. Earlier research found that having low levels may make asthma symptoms worse, and a new study finds that lacking in D could make breathing harder by increasing airway smooth muscle mass in children with treatment-resistant asthma.
Vitamin D is found in multivitamins or stand-alone supplements; it's also commonly coupled with calcium.
FitFlax with flax seed, chia seeds and lignans is also a great source of antioxidants. Enjoy the benefit of flax seed and the benefit of chia seeds with FitFlax.
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