Natural Energy Boosters

More at Health and Fitness

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!

www.LifeAdviceSite.com

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?

www.lifeadvicesite.com

Juicing Up Water

By LifeAdviceSite.com

for more articles visit: http://lifeadvicesite.com/Health_and_Fitness

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.

www.lifeadvicesite.com

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