Natural Energy Boosters

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By Sara Melone

On certain days, we all fall victim to the inevitable drag. Sometimes we just can't help yawning and feel absolutely no energy whatsoever. So what do we do to overcome those sleepy, low energy days? Instead of always running for a cup of coffee, energy drink or heaven forbid - sugary snacks, try some of the following natural energy boosters to get your "get up and go" back.

L-Glutamine Powder
Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in muscles. This amino acid supplement is already found in many protein mixes and energy bars. Body-builders have been using it for years to help replenish after a work-out. L-Glutamine is believed to help the body in metabolizing protein and is thought to reduce carbohydrate and sugar cravings.

Apples

We already know apples are amazing. They provide fiber and more specifically, a type called pectin that helps lower cholesterol levels and moderate blood sugar. Apples also contain a mineral called boron which is believed to boost alertness and concentration. Apples have even been linked in studies to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's.

Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is an herb that has been used for thousands of years in conjunction with supporting healthy liver function. Many people do not realize decreased liver functionality can be a major factor in fatigue and low energy. In fact, one of the liver's main functions is breaking down stored fat to produce energy.

Pumpkin

That's right, they're good for more than just Thanksgiving pie and Halloween carving. Pumpkin is high in fiber and low in calories, and it has been shown to help stabilize energy. Pumpkins are high in potassium and contain Vitamin C as well as other nutrients such as Niacin, Vitamin E, Calcium and Iron.

Peppers
If you can stand the heat, eat up! The capsaicin found in hot peppers has been show to boost metabolism and energy. Cayenne pepper is often used by those seeking to increase metabolism and shed pounds because some studies suggest cayenne pepper can raise metabolic rate by up to 25% for a period of several hours after ingestion. Anyone who has ever eaten a hot pepper can testify to the fact that hot peppers can increase circulation immediately. Increased blood flow can translate to better energy levels.

Next time you're feeling a little low on energy, reach for one of these all natural alternatives and get back to feeling great in record time!

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Turkey Hill Duetto

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I love ice cream. Who doesn't? My favorite kind of frozen treat is the light and creamy soft serve. All Hail to the Dairy Queen! It's airy, low in fat and calories and the flavor is so smooth and dreamy - like sweet clouds on the end of my spoon. It's delightful in every possible way.

Living in a place where the winters are long and cold, it can be very depressing when the local ice cream shops board up their windows for the season. We make do with ice cream from the grocer's freezer, but there's just nothing quite like that creamy goodness fresh from the ice cream machine.

Imagine my delight when Turkey Hill introduced their Duetto flavors with creamy vanilla soft serve and various flavors of Venice Ice. Could it be true? It was!

I tried every flavor I could get my hands on, and I was not disappointed. The root beer duetto tastes like a delicious root beer float in a box. The cherry is akin to a cherry dipped soft serve cone at the local ice cream stand. The ice cream is soft and creamy as promised and although a few stabilizers and preservatives might be at work in that department, in the dead of winter I just have to have a scoop (or two).

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Manifest Through Nutrition

By LifeAdviceSite.com

Have you ever considered the importance of nutrition in the proper application of the law of attraction? If we are living in an attraction-based universe and everything is energy, then even our food and drink have their own unique vibrational signature which can either interfere with or work in harmony with our own.

The law of attraction is all about our brain waves and the power of our thoughts. The idea is that our thoughts radiate a certain frequency which attracts and delivers more of that particular frequency to us. If we're depressed and thinking depressing thoughts, we'll attract more depressing thoughts which beget more and so on. Sometimes this process goes on without our conscious knowledge, but the study of the law of attraction teaches us how to harness that energy and appropriate it into the correct channels. It teaches that our thoughts become things, but we have the power within our minds to change our thoughts to whatever we want and thereby achieve anything and become anything we want.

Everyone knows the power of the mind, but what happens when that mind is not working properly or it is not entirely focused? Extensive studies have been done on the effects of certain foods on the body, the mood and the mind. Certain people respond differently to certain foods. You may already know chamomile tea can make you sleepy for bed and bananas give you energy for a run, but what about the other effects some foods may have on you? What about when your blood sugar crashes after a sugary snack caused it to spike, or your third cup of coffee has worn off? What about those junk food meals that make you sleepy and lethargic so you can barely make it through those emails at work?

If your brain isn't functioning at optimum level and you can't think straight, then how can you properly decipher, attract and manifest whatever you want for your life? The mind is a part of the body, and it requires certain nutrients to get going and to keep going. In addition, if your body serves as the transmission tower, then you have to keep it in good condition to broadcast clearly at all times. No static allowed!

Your body deserves the best nutrition so you can perform at your best all the time. Healthy natural foods from the earth will work in harmony with your chemistry and physical make-up to help you be the best you can be. How do you pick the right foods for yourself? Do some research, experiment with different food combinations and find out what natural foods makes you feel wonderful so you can be focused on becoming your best.

And just think - as you're focusing on better nutrition, you'll be attracting better nutrition! Before long you won't even have to think about it as it will become second nature!

(If that didn't make sense to you, your blood sugar is probably low. Have a cookie. ;o)

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Great Go-Snacks for People on the Go!

Health and Fitness

By LifeAdviceSite.com

Sometimes you want a snack with you during the day to satisfy your hunger and your need to munch. Need some ideas for the most convenient and "on the go" friendly snacks? Consider these:


Apples are a great go-snack. They fit easily in a bag. Give them a rinse and a quick wipe with a clean paper towel, and they'll fill you up with fiber, provide antioxidant protection, and keep the doctor away!



Bananas are great since they come in their own packaging. Full of natural sugars to keep you energized, they are also packed with fiber to fill you up and stave off that gnawing hunger in your belly so you won't go running for something more questionable....


Bell peppers are an amazing snack. All you need is a knife and a zip-lock bag. Wash the pepper, slice it in half, remove the seeds, and slice the halves into strips or bite-sized chunks. Throw them in the zip-lock bag and you're ready to go with a sweet, colorful, crispy and crunchy snack you can munch on all day. You can annoy others with your incessant crunching, and you won't even miss the chips!


Cucumbers are great. Slice them into thin circles or long strips you can whittle away between your teeth, and throw them in a bag with the bell peppers or by themselves. They make a "munchable" snack. To dress them up and add some protein and calcium, bring along cheese slices and top the cukes just like a cracker! YUM! Edible plates!

Berries are a beautiful bite-sized snack. Give them a rinse, throw them in a bag or a plastic container and you're good to go. Not only are they easy to snack on, but they'll be providing you with tons of antioxidants and a boost to your immune system.

You like peanut M&Ms? Almond joy? Me too. For a change, though, try getting used to snacking on the nuts without the candy coating wrapped around them. Peanuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans...pop a handful in a bag and have them with you. If you have to, toss in a couple peanut M&Ms to help ease the transition. Nuts are full of protein and healthy fats that will not only make your hair shiny and make your eyes sparkle with the glow of good health, but they will help you not feel hungry while you're busy reviewing spreadsheets or picking the kids up from soccer.

Cottage cheese comes in terrific snack-sized portions that are great when you're on the go. Toss one in your bag with your keys and your apple, and you'll have a protein and calcium-rich snack that will go straight to your bones instead of your hips. It will also keep you feeling satisfied. Don't forget to bring a spoon!

String cheese. It's chewy! It's stringy! It's fun to eat! Plus it provides about 15% of the daily recommendation of calcium. Not only that, but they come in individually wrapped portions that will stay clean and protected until you're ready to eat them. Just don't leave them in a hot car....eeww....

Grapes are a wonderful snack. Although they tend to take up more room on the vine, and plucking each one off for packing can be time consuming, their high water content will not only help cleanse your system, but it will keep you hydrated and, along with the fiber content, will help keep you from feeling hungry. Grape, anyone?

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Mmm, Pizza Hut

By LifeAdviceSite.com

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Pizza Hut, to me and my family, is something of a staple. They've been in operation over 50 years now, and I've been a patron for 30 of those years. Forget Zwieback Teething Toast, I cut my teeth on Pizza Hut pizza crust. For about 10 years straight, Friday nights in my house were Pizza Hut night, complete with a large pepperoni and extra cheese crust.

For a while, I'll admit - I strayed. My body's needs changed and I desired a lighter, thinner crust. For those times, another famous pizza chain fit the bill. For a long while, I cleaned up my eating habits and saw pizza as the enemy and accordingly, I stayed away. Since having met and married, however, I have been drawn back in by a husband who is as married to Pizza Hut pizza as I once was.

Pizza Hut is probably best well-known for their pan pizza - named so because it is baked in a deep-dish pan. Its crust is thick, golden brown, crispy, and glazed with a light coating of oil, which, although perhaps not the best choice for healthy cholesterol, is irresistible in its crispy, crackly texture.

Recently, I've reignited a love affair I once had with the salad bar that is available in most full-service Pizza Hut restaurants. I've always been a healthy consumer of vegetables thanks to constant offerings at the dinner table while I was growing up, but in recent years, as I've uncovered all the health benefits of consuming fresh foods from nature, I've become somewhat obsessed, and I now crave vegetables as much as I sometimes crave chocolate.

Now, one of my favorite things to do with my husband is have dinner at our local Pizza Hut. He fills up on pizza and bread sticks. I gorge myself on lettuce, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, cheese and a drizzle of dressing. Then I enjoy a slice or two of pepperoni pizza. That way I get the best of everything - fresh vegetable great for my health, cheesy, irresistible pizza, and a fully satisfied belly.


Pizza Hut's most recent transformation has been a highly publicized offering of pastas. Am I crazy, or does anyone else remember that Pizza Hut has always had spaghetti and ziti on the menu? OK, I understand - they're offering NEW pastas, and they want to make sure we know about it. Point taken.

Among the new pasta offerings are a rotini in a marina meat sauce, a chicken alfredo, and a mac and cheese with bacon.

In my humble opinion, I will say that they are all delicious, although I have to say the alfredo chicken, with its smooth, subtle cheese flavor is probably my favorite. The meaty marina has a somewhat spicy kick which is exciting on the tastebuds, and the mac and cheese is creamy with a rich mouth-feel.

All of the pastas are baked, and come to the table with a lovely crust of golden baked cheesy deliciousness.

When delivered, an aluminum tin nestled inside a cardboard box keeps them hot and tasty until they reach your door. If you're a regular consumer of take-out, pasta delivered to your door is a great alternative to having pizza delivered.

Pizza Hut has come a long way from the dark wood paneling of 20 years ago. They are emerging with a new image to meet the demands of a new generation, and if they keep turning out great pizza, fresh salad, and terrific pasta, I pledge that future generations of my family will also get the chance to cut their teeth on a nice, thick pizza crust (and maybe a peice of broccoli for a well-balanced knosh).

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The Pizza Hut name, logo and images are registered trademarks of the Pizza Hut Corporation.

Restaurant Review Legal Seafoods

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By LifeAdviceSite.com

Legal Seafoods got its humble beginnings back in 1950 when George Berkowitz opened a fish market next to his father's grocery store in Cambridge, MA. In 1968, the fish market gave birth to a seafood restaurant serving broiled and fried fish served on paper plates. These days, Legal Seafood has come a long way from paper plates and picnic tables, and has asserted itself as a restaurant trend-setter.

Legal has always considered themselves to be a fish market, first and foremost, and that strict philosophy has resulted in an absolute commitment to quality and freshness that is consistently reflected in their food, time after time. When you visit any one of the Legal Seafoods Restaurants from Boston to Boca Raton, you will be met with an atmosphere that is sophisticated, warm, and inviting. With a promise of exemplary service, you will be well taken care of by everyone you come in contact with. The architecture and design of the interior restaurant space features rich woods, dramatic lighting fixtures, cool glass and hints of blue reminiscent of the sea.

Legal Sea Foods cares about being ecologically responsible and serves only fish that are seasonable and sustainable. They also care about health and pledge to never use products containing trans-fat. Some locations even offer a gluten-free menu. The main menu is extensive, and offers all the usual suspects like lobster, clams, chowder and haddock. You'll also find wild salmon, tuna, bluefish, scallops, rainbow trout, and scrod. Flavors range from the tame all the way to Cajun Lemon Chive Butter, Thai Red Coconut Curry, and Indian spices. Sides include mashed potato and rice pilaf, seaweed salad, cole slaw, or jalapeno cheddar polenta. You can also tempt your taste buds at the seafood bar.

If you're looking for delicious, fresh seafood, Legal is the place to go. If you're not into seafood, however, you probably won't be too thrilled about dining in a Legal Seafoods restaurant, as the majority of their menu comes from the sea with only a few exceptions. Most locations offer a Filet Mignon, an Oven Roasted Herbed Chicken, a Burger, and several salads including Mixed Field Greens, Chopped Greek, Classic Caesar, Cobb, and the Tortilla, Apple and Goat Cheese salad, which features avocado, roasted red peppers and chipotle dressing. Most salads can be topped with chicken, shrimp, or scallops if you want to add some protein.

Perhaps one of the best things about Legal Seafoods is their shop online service. If you don't have a Legal Seafoods near you, you can still enjoy their award-winning food from anywhere in the country. You can even join their catch of the month club, or give membership and giftcards to family, friends, and business associates. Legal Seafoods' online store has even more choices than their restaurants, and you can order entire meals like Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Marsala Wine Sauce, Roasted Duck Confit, Steak, or even an entire Clam Bake.

Prices will be moderate to high depending on what items you order and the current market price.

Seafood Meals Available at Amazon: www.lifeadvicesite.com The Legal Sea Foods name, logos, and images are trademarks of Legal Sea Foods, Inc.

An Apple A Day

By LifeAdviceSite.com
I love apples.

I can't even express how much I love apples. They come in so many shapes, sizes and varieties! There are red ones, pink ones, green and yellow ones. They are crunchy, sweet and all around delicious.

I remember hearing that saying when I was young, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." As a grown-up, I could easily eat an apple a day (or more) because they're tasty, portable and widely available in so many more varieties nowadays. Their reflective skin and perfect round curves mesmerize me as if gazing at a fine ruby or green tanzanite...

I've always known they're good for me and provide important elements such as fiber for normal cholesterol, but now I find there's even more research out that apples are incredibly good for you. Apples contain both insoluble fiber, which aids in removing LDL cholesterol from the digestive tract and a soluble fiber called pectin, which can reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in the liver. Flavonoids, a type of pigment contained in apples which lend them their color, have been researched and found to help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. Certain research has linked apple consumption with reduced risk of alzheimer's disease later in life. Plus, apples have natural sunscreen protection built in! They produce it to protect their skin from the sun, and when we eat them we get it too. Very cool. That's not even to mention all the antioxidants they pack inside their crunchy flesh.

Wow!

I'm going to go grab an apple - see you later!

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Juicing Up Water

By LifeAdviceSite.com

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We all know how important it is to get plenty of water. Our bodies are made of water, and we need a good supply to promote normal metabolism, healthy hydrated skin and smooth operations within all of the body's systems.

Let's face it, though. Water can get boring. Providing it's normal, water is odorless, colorless, tasteless and although a cold bottle of water can be a wonderful satisfying thirst-quencher, water itself can be somewhat lack-luster.

Since we know how good it is for us, though...we are not deterred! We will share interesting and creative ways to make our water exciting again, and we will keep on chugging that water down!

Green Tea: Green tea is good for your health. It has antioxidants and can provide a great boost to your metabolism. Brew up a pot of tea with a couple of tea bags and then pop it in the fridge for instant ice tea. If you can drink it as is, all the better. If you need to, add a little drizzle of honey to "sweeten the pot".

Lemon: Lemon is great. It adds a kick to your water and it's a diuretic that cleanses your insides and helps alleviate water retention when you're feeling a little bloated from eating too much salt.

Seltzer: When regular, still water just doesn't seem to have that depth that people always claim about "still waters", kick it up a notch and go for the bubbly! Fizzy explosive water tickles your tongue and massages your throat. It even tastes different. Add a splash of orange juice and you have an instant Orangina!

Cranberry Juice: Just an ounce or so will do nicely to brighten your water with a pretty pink color and tempt your taste buds with a little extra flavor and "zing". Like Lemon, Cranberry also works as a diuretic and cleanser that will help keep you healthy and clean from the inside out.

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The High Cost of Health

By LifeAdviceSite.com

We all know how important it is to eat right. Despite cravings and succumbing to the occasional dietary pitfall, we all want to eat right and we all try our best to incorporate fruits, vegetables and whole grains in our diet. At least I know I always have.

There's one major problem I've often encountered which seems to be ignored by dieters, doctors and government officials alike.

It's expensive to eat healthy!

That's right, I said it. And it's about time we took notice. For years, I've been faced with a quandary. In staring up at the fast food menu in dismay, I note sadly how I could order a hamburger and small french fries for around $2.00 while opting to be healthy and ordering a garden salad will knock me out for roughly $5.00

I'm frugal; I always have been and always will be. I don't eat out much because of the high cost, but I often think of those who have little choice because of time constraints or traveling situations. I also grimace when I'm shopping for healthy foods in the grocery store and see how I could choose to buy one lonely avocado or an entire box of pasta for the same $1.25. It's easy to understand why we are faced with such an epidemic of obesity and poor health. For some, it's just not possible to eat as well.

It's just not right. In fact, it's downright tragic. We know it requires more energy and time to get fresh fruits and vegetables to grocery stores across the country before they wilt, but shouldn't there be a better way? Maybe we could shift some of those corn and grain subsidiaries to start more local farms so the food travels a shorter distance. Or maybe we could lower the price of fuel so it would cost less to move those foods. We could serve more fruits and vegetables in school, and have gardening projects instated as part of the curriculum. Perhaps we could set up funding for local community gardening space in every neighborhood, or offer government grants to everyone who wants to build their own greenhouse to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.

Any other ideas?

More information about natural foods can be found in the Food List at www.lifeadvicesite.com