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  • Trying to Lose Weight? Avoid These Foods

    Trying to Lose Weight? Avoid These Foods

    It’s natural to want to avoid junk food when you’re trying to lose weight. After all, the most successful weight loss is the kind you pursue because you love your body, not because you hate it. As such, today we’re going over some of the foods you need to cut out to get healthy and lose the pounds.

    Remember, you only get one body in this life. Treat it with respect, and don’t fill it full of junk food.

    Avoid These Foods if You’re Trying to Lose Weight

    Fried Foods

    Fried foods are straight-up bad for your health. They’re delicious, yes, but they’re so full of trans fats, salt and cholesterol that they’re terrible for you. Beyond simply being a factor in weight gain, fried foods can contribute significantly to heart disease and diabetes.  If you’re remotely health conscious, stay far away from fried foods.

    Sugary Drinks

    Sugary drinks like sodas, energy drinks, sport drinks and some fruit juices can be incredibly impactful when it comes to weight gain. The average can of soda contains 90 calories per serving, while energy drinks can contain up to 210 calories per serving. And you’d best believe there’s more than a single serving in those cans.

    That’s not to mention that your brain doesn’t register these drinks as actual calories. You just add these calories on top of your normal daily intake. Instead of relying on sugary drinks to quench your thirst, opt for water! It’s good for you, you need tons of it and it’s got zero calories.

    Potato Chips

    These fall under fried foods, sure, but potato chips in particular bear repeating. Some studies suggest that potato chips could cause more weight gain per serving than any other food. That means a few bags of chips during the week could be worse for you than having fried chicken for lunch a comparable number of times.

    White Bread

    Unsurprisingly, white bread is a terrible addition to any diet. It’s heavily processed and very high in sugar, offering little to no nutritional value. Instead of eating white bread, consider opting for a healthier choice like Ezekiel bread.

  • Do You Get Enough Vitamins? Try These Vitamin Subscription Services

    Do You Get Enough Vitamins? Try These Vitamin Subscription Services

    Everything has a subscription these days. You subscribe to a video streaming service like Netflix. You could have a shave club subscription, or maybe a makeup subscription. Maybe you get meal boxes in the mail, or something more fun like a Loot Crate-style grab bag. But do you get your vitamins delivered to your door?

    Most people don’t get nearly enough vitamins, and it shows in their overall health. After all, it’s hard getting enough vitamins in a normal diet. Don’t worry: today we’re going over the best vitamin subscriptions for those trying to get healthy.

    Vitamin Subscription Services

    Why Get a Subscription?

    Personalized vitamin subscriptions are an important service when you compare them with a normal multivitamin. Mass-market vitamins have to appeal to the widest number of people, but that means that they could be full of stuff you’re already getting enough of.

    Subscription services are wonderful because they’re personalized. You get exactly the vitamins that your diet is missing, so you’re that much healthier! Not to mention, it’s nice to get them delivered right to your door. You don’t need to remember to go out and get them, or be bothered with a trip to the supermarket.

    The Best Subscription Services

    Generally speaking, you want to go with a service that fits your budget and offers you the best value. Some of the more well-regarded vitamin subscription services are HUM Nutrition and Persona Nutrition, both of which offer you access to professional nutritionists. These two services are a bit on the pricier side, however.

    If you don’t care about having contact with a dietician or nutritionist, Rootine offers a subscription service of personalized vitamins for $60 per month. Similarly, Vitafive offers less expensive prices for vitamins in gummy form, and even offers support for Amazon Prime users.

    Other services that get good reviews and offer personalized services are Care/of and Ritual. Care/of sends you multiple pills or powders for your vitamin regiment, whereas Ritual just sends you one pill that has all the stuff you need in it.

  • You Won’t Believe How Easy it is to Lose Weight Eating These Foods

    You Won’t Believe How Easy it is to Lose Weight Eating These Foods

    Are you trying to lose weight? It’s not very easy to shed the pounds. Whether you’re active or more sedentary, it’s difficult to lose weight. One of the best ways to lose, other than exercise and portion control, is by eating foods that encourage weight loss.

    Not all calories are created equal. Different foods go through different metabolic pathways in your body. They can have vastly different effects on your hunger, hormones and the number of calories you burn. Here are some of the most weight-loss-friendly foods on earth that are supported by science.
    Remember, the only person for whom you should lose weight is yourself. Don’t try to live up to someone else’s expectations of what you should look like. If you feel like losing weight and eating healthy is right for you, great! However, if you’re on the heavier side but eat healthy and feel good, don’t stress. Everyone’s body is different.

    Foods to Help you Lose Weight

    Avocados

    Avocados are a unique fruit. While most fruits are high in carbs, avocados are loaded with healthy fats. They’re particularly high in monounsaturated oleic acid, the same type of fat found in olive oil. Despite being mostly fat, avocados also contain a lot of water and fiber, making them less energy-dense than you may think.

    What’s more, they’re a perfect addition to vegetable salads, as studies show that their fat content can increase carotenoid antioxidant absorption from the vegetables 2.6- to 15-fold. They also contain many important nutrients, including fiber and potassium. Avocadoes also taste fantastic and go well with tons of types of food, from sushi to avocado toast. There’s a reason they’ve become so popular recently!

    Salmon

    Fatty fish like salmon is incredibly healthy and very satisfying, keeping you full for many hours with relatively few calories. Salmon is loaded with high-quality protein, healthy fats and various important nutrients. Fish — and seafood in general — may also supply a significant amount of iodine.
    This nutrient is necessary for proper thyroid function, which is important to keep your metabolism running optimally. Studies show that a significant number of people don’t fill their iodine needs. Salmon is also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation, which is known to play a major role in obesity and metabolic disease. Mackerel, trout, sardines, herring and other types of fatty fish are also excellent.
    Fish, in general, can be a great replacement in most meals for steak or pork. By substituting in a nice fish steak, you leave a lot of the fat and negative contents of other types of meat off of your plate. This is great for people looking to eat healthier and lose weight.

    Greens

    Leafy greens include kale, spinach, collards, swiss chards and a few others. They have several properties that make them perfect for a weight loss diet, such as being low in calories and carbohydrates and loaded with fiber. Essentially, you need to be eating more greens than you already are, even if you’re a habitual greens-eater. They’re just that good for you.

    Eating leafy greens is a great way to increase the volume of your meals, without increasing the calories. Numerous studies show that meals and diets with a low energy density make people eat fewer calories overall. Leafy greens are also incredibly nutritious and very high in many vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, including calcium, which has been shown to aid fat burning in some studies.

    Fibrous Vegetables

    Fibrous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts. Like other vegetables, they’re high in fiber and tend to be incredibly filling. What’s more, these types of veggies generally contain decent amounts of protein. A common misconception about plant-based diets is that they’re low in protein, though this is entirely unfounded. Many plant-based diets can include as much protein as meat-based ones.

    They’re not nearly as high in protein as animal foods or legumes but still high compared to most vegetables. A combination of protein, fiber and low energy density makes cruciferous vegetables the perfect foods to include in your meals if you need to lose weight. They’re also highly nutritious and contain cancer-fighting substances.
    Whole Eggs

    Once feared for being high in cholesterol, whole eggs have been making a comeback. New studies show that they neither adversely affect blood cholesterol nor cause heart attacks. What’s more, they’re one of the best foods to eat if you need to lose weight, as they’re high in protein, healthy fats and can make you feel full with a very low amount of calories.

    One study in 30 overweight women showed that eating eggs for breakfast, instead of bagels, increased feelings of fullness (satiety) and made participants eat less for the next 36 hours. Another eight-week study found that eggs for breakfast increased weight loss on a calorie restricted diet, compared to bagels. Eggs are also incredibly nutrient dense and can help you get all the nutrients you need on a calorie-restricted diet. Interestingly, almost all the nutrients are found in the yolks.


  • Beat Your Arthritis Pain with These Top Remedies

    Beat Your Arthritis Pain with These Top Remedies

    Think you know everything about arthritis? More than 50 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, and up to 67 million are expected to be diagnosed by the year 2030. Arthritis pain can be downright incapacitating if it gets intense enough.

    Wrists and joints ache and you feel as though nothing can make you feel normal. When not properly treated, arthritis can be damaging to many aspects of people’s lives, causing all kinds of physical and emotional issues stemming from chronic pain and the loss of mobility. There has been much research into arthritis remedies for those suffering with aching joints. Here are a few you can try.

    Top Arthritis Remedies

    Hot and Cold Therapy

    Hot and cold therapy can do wonders for aching joints from arthritis. Taking a nice, long and hot bath or shower in the morning can do aching joints wonders. Alternatively, using electric blankets or heating pads can help to relax stiff joints.

    On the other hand ice therapy can be used to alleviate intense pain rapidly. Ice packs wrapped in towels and applied to sore joints can provide fast relief. Follow this cold treatment with a bit of heat treatment for relief from joint pain!

    Turmeric
    Consider adding turmeric to your diet in higher quantities. This root plant is a known anti-inflammatory and has been used as a natural remedy for hundreds of years. You can add it to dishes easily, as it is a common spice. It tastes really good, too! While it’s not a cure-all, you might find it helps to alleviate symptoms of joint pain.

    The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric could result in your joints and tendons feeling some relief from your arthritis symptoms. This is a great way to attempt to tackle your symptoms from several angles.

    Because, at the very worst, it’ll just add some spice to your dishes!

    Cocoa/Chocolate
    Did you know that cocoa provides an abundant source of phytochemicals? You might not know much about phytochemicals, but this odd ingredient means cocoa is an antioxidant – and antioxidants are known to help with cardiovascular health, brain function, and cancer prevention. If you have RA, consuming cocoa (yes, even in the form of chocolate) can also benefit your immune system.

    Chocolate, specifically dark chocolate, can significantly reduce inflammation throughout the body. Cocoa properties are known to decrease COX-2 enzymes that cause inflammation, meaning every bite of dark chocolate helps decrease what’s causing your aches and pains.

    When you consume chocolate, it triggers the release of serotonin in the brain – or what many people call “the happiness chemical.” Serotonin literally changes your mindset, releasing happiness and lifting your mood.

    Suffering from the symptoms of RA can have a devastating impact on your well-being. However, treating yourself with dark chocolate can help combat both a bad mood and a little of your pain. Enjoying dark chocolate (in moderation, of course) is enough to lift up your spirits, even if just for a moment.

    Acupuncture
    The use of acupuncture for treating pain is a bit contentious. However, many patients claim that their chronic pain symptoms are greatly alleviated by acupuncture. Consider visiting a specialist for a consultation and a quote! They might be able to help you.

    In short, acupuncture is a practice that uses select placement of needles to attempt to manipulate the body’s pain receptors. Some practitioners ascribe the benefits of acupuncture to the manipulation of chi flow in the patient. Chi is an energy force that many Eastern traditions believe flows through all living things, though scientific examination has shown no evidence of such a force.

    Those patients who have had acupuncture treatments have had varying responses, though many claim that the procedures have helped them manage their arthritis pain.

    Massage
    Along those same lines, you could consider visiting a massage therapist. They could use massage techniques to help relax your muscles and loosen stiff joints. Alternatively, you could work with a physical therapist to learn techniques of self-massage if it would be difficult to see a professional regularly.

    Exercise
    Make sure you get lots of exercise! Simply staying active can work wonders on aching or stiff joints. Make sure you walk often and don’t spend all day indoors. If you find walking to be too high-impact, consider hitting the pool. Getting some light swimming in is a great way to work your joints, tendons and muscles without putting a lot of stress on them. Staying limber and exercising often is a great way to directly tackle arthritis symptoms.

    Try a combination of these arthritis remedies and hopefully they will alleviate your symptoms!


  • Best Home Security Systems

    Best Home Security Systems

    Everyone wants their own home to feel like a safe haven. The big wide world can be a scary, chaotic place. You want home to be your sanctuary, and that’s totally fine. As such, you’re looking for the best in home security systems. Today we’re helping you find just that by breaking down the best of the best.

    Best Home Security Systems

    ADT

    The most well-known home security system is the professionally-installed ADT. It’s not terribly easy to get pricing information from ADT without subjecting oneself to lots of salespeople, but here’s some rough numbers for a base system. For the upfront cost of around $129, and an ongoing cost of roughly $47, you get a 3-year contract with monitoring and two door contacts.

    ADT’s not for everyone, though, as the contract length and high price of monitoring can be a turn-off. However, the company is a trusted name, the monitoring is well-regarded and the system is high-quality.

    SimpliSafe

    If you don’t mind installing the system yourself, consider SimpliSafe. The started kit is only $230, which is a small price to pay for peace of mind. While the monitoring starts at $15 per month, you might want to spring for the $25 version of the monitoring for the upgraded features. Those features include app controls and Alexa integration.

    While it’s not the most robust system on the market, SimpliSafe is great for people who don’t want to deal with big companies like ADT but still want a full system for home security.

    Nest Hello

    A stylish, modern and slick doorbell camera, Nest Hello is from the same company that makes the Nest Thermostat. Ample Alexa integration and face recognition make this a very high-tech security solution. It’s around $230 for the up-front cost to get the system installed, and then it’s about $5 per month for the ongoing costs for recording.

    For an upcharge, you can get the more upscale features like facial recognition. The most impressive part about the Nest Hello is the integration, though, as it works together with Alexa or other smart home systems.

  • Foods to Avoid on Easter

    Foods to Avoid on Easter

    No one likes having gastrointestinal issues at family gatherings on Easter. If you’re going to an Easter party, there are some foods to avoid. We’re going to break down some of the foods that can be the hardest on your gut and why you should avoid them when you’re trying to enjoy time with family.

    No one wants to be bloated, gassy or in the bathroom the entire time they’re visiting family. So, if you’re hosting, consider not having any of these foods out. If you’re visiting, consider just avoiding these foods altogether. Why risk getting sick on a snack when you’re trying to enjoy the festivities?

    Foods to Avoid over Easter

    Acidic Foods

    Acidic foods, like soda pop, tomatoes and tomato sauce, citrus fruits and the like can all cause stomach problems. If you’re prone to acid reflux or heartburn, consider avoiding these foods. Whether it’s in the form of a snack or a major part of the meal, consider taking it easy on these foods. Acidic foods impact your stomach more when it’s empty, though, so maybe grab a few orange slices or a bit of grapefruit after the main course!

    The worst part is, tomatoes and citrus fruits are really quite good for you. It’s unfortunate that their high acid content makes them rough on an empty stomach. However, if you eat them in moderation and make sure you don’t have them before a meal you should be okay over the holidays.

    Dairy Products

    A lot of people have a really hard time digesting milk. If too much lactose gets into your large intestine, it can even lead to diarrhea, which is a surefire way to ruin your holiday party. If you’ve got a history of lactose intolerance, avoid ice cream, milkshakes and the like as much as you can.

    If you really, really want your dairy fix, consider hard cheeses or yogurt. Thanks to the way these are made, they actually have no lactose content. That goes for most types of frozen yogurt, too! So, if you’re really hankering for some dairy but can’t handle lactose, these are your best bets. Alternatively, you could also just carry Lactaid pills and take them before eating dairy products.

     

    Fatty Foods

    Foods that are very high in fats, like potato chips, ice cream and red meat can upset your stomach. High-fat food items have a tendency to cause serious issues with the speed at which your intestines move food along. If slowed down too much, this can result in constipation. If sped up too much, this can instead result in diarrhea. In either event, you’ll experience significant discomfort in your abdomen as your intestines deal with the high-fat foods. Just take care to eat these foods sparingly, or avoid them altogether!

     

  • How to Get Better Sleep: Conquer Your Restlessness

    How to Get Better Sleep: Conquer Your Restlessness

    Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep all night is rather common. Over half of all adults in the US report that they often have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. If this is you, maybe you’re looking for some good ways to fight restlessness that don’t involve medication. Here are some of our top tips.

    Fighting Restlessness

    Hit the Gym

    After a long day at work, you might be feeling mentally tired. If your job isn’t physical, however, this might not extend to your body. If your body is still pumped up and ready to get out energy, then you’re likely going to find it hard to sleep.

    Consider getting a gym membership or getting into jogging. When it comes to your body’s energy, you need to figure out how to get it burned down effectively. The last thing you need is to be up late with restless energy just because you didn’t hit the gym.

    Quit Caffeine

    The cup of coffee in the morning hits just right, huh? Well, quit drinking it. Caffeine can seriously disrupt your body’s circadian rhythms, which could be contributing to your sleeping problems. If you have trouble sleeping, stop ingesting a chemical that wakes you up. It’s that simple.

    Lights Out

    That TV in your bedroom has got to go. If you’re laying in bed watching TV, you’re not sleeping. “Resting your eyes” isn’t sleeping. Take the TV out of your bedroom, because all its doing is making you restless. The bedroom should be where you sleep, that’s it. Don’t make it a place where you do recreational activities.

    This goes for your phone, computer and other distractions, too. If you’re constantly checking your phone or scrolling while you’re in bed, stop it. Put a hard bed-time on yourself that you stop electronics use after.

    Bottom Line

    Take control of your own space and your own sleep. This is no one’s life but yours, so live it for no one else. It’s time to take back your space and take back your sleep. Don’t let negative behaviors spill over into your sleeping habits. You’ll feel so much better when you’re well-rested.

  • How to Manage Muscle Pain: Quick Tips to Fight Aches and Pains

    How to Manage Muscle Pain: Quick Tips to Fight Aches and Pains

    Working for a living has the unwelcome side effect of bringing on muscle pain, aches and soreness. No one likes being sore! Maybe you hit the gym to blow off steam or go on a hike to de-stress. These are fun activities, but they can also result in muscle pain.

    What are some of the best ways to fight muscle soreness or aches? Today we’re going over some quick tips to get you relief from that pain.

    Managing Muscle Pain

    Why Am I Sore?

    If you don’t normally experience sore muscles, but find yourself doing so now, there are a few reasons why this might have happened. When you overuse a muscle, or do a new activity that it’s not used to, you can cause tears in the muscle. Then, when your body repairs it, it become remade even thicker and stronger.

    The good news is, given time, most muscle soreness should go away as your body becomes more accustomed to the type of exercise that’s inflaming it. This, in turn, means that you’ll be building bigger, stronger muscles, which is never a bad thing!

    Indirect Ice

    One of the best ways to fight muscle soreness is with indirect ice. Get an ice pack and wrap it in a towel or something similar, then apply it to the affected area. The cold will reduce inflammation and cut down on your immediate pain. It’s best to start with ice, instead of heat, as the ice will help more in the long run if you start with it.

    Then Apply Heat

    After you’ve used ice to reduce the inflammation and lessen the pain, switch to a hot compress or heat pack. This will encourage blood flow to the area and could even relieve some mild joint pain you may have from exercise. Don’t start with heat, even though it feels great on a sore muscle! Start with ice, as it can help cut back on the swelling.

    NSAIDs

    Another common way to fight occasional muscle pain is with NSAIDs like Tylenol. Don’t overdo it on these, as they could contribute to causing liver problems if taken improperly. However, for infrequent muscle pain, taking an NSAID should help cut back on your general soreness. Accompany this with a cold and then hot compress to really bring on the relief!

    Make sure you consult your doctor before taking any new medicines, though. If you’re already taking medication, some NSAIDs could interact negatively with them.

  • Why Don’t Americans Take Mental Health Seriously?

    Why Don’t Americans Take Mental Health Seriously?

    Consistently, modern American society underestimates the importance of mental health. Those who struggle with anxiety, depression and numerous other mental health issues are often told to “toughen up”. “It’s all in your head, just buckle down and work hard” is a common piece of advice.

    People wouldn’t dare speak this way to someone with a bodily malady, such as a broken bone or chronic illness. Why is it that Americans don’t take mental health seriously?

    Why Don’t Americans Take Mental Health Seriously?

    Toughen Up, Buttercup

    One aspect of this is good, old-fashioned toxic work ethic at play. Americans are expected to work and be profitable for a company. If they want to eat and have somewhere to sleep, at least, they have to sell their labor. When someone gets physically hurt, they can’t exactly be compelled to work.

    However, when someone is suffering from mental health issues, these aren’t outwardly noticeable issues. A broken leg is visibly broken, but a depressed person looks otherwise normal. For someone who has never suffered with depression, they might even seem like they’re just wallowing and need to cheer up.

    Sympathy and Portrayal

    The portrayal of mental health in popular culture and mass media has down little to help in this regard, either. Oftentimes, cartoon villains are depicted as being “criminally insane” in goofy, simplified ways. The Joker is psychotic, Harvey Dent has multiple personalities, and so on.

    Even more everyday mental issues like anxiety and depression get reduced to character flaws to be overcome by strength of will. Presenting these mental issues as cartoon villains or easily-bested flaws does a disservice to the people who actually suffer with them.

    Healthcare

    Finally, the most damaging aspect of America’s lack of attention to mental health comes down to our healthcare system. When someone receives a checkup from a general physician, the doctor looks over all of their health. From their muscles to their organs, the doctor makes sure the patient is healthy.

    However, isn’t the brain an organ? Shouldn’t issues of the mind be consider alongside maladies of the body? Doctors will often make passing inquiries about mental health, such as one’s general wellness and relationship with alcohol. However, if the conversation reveals the patient may have a mental issue, often the doctor is left only able to recommend them to a therapist.

    Cost

    As many Americans know all too well, the cost of visiting a therapist can be prohibitive. Many people who could benefit greatly from the help of a mental health professional are unable to do so thanks to the exorbitant cost of healthcare. Without diagnosis, it could even be consider an elective treatment and not be covered by insurance at all.

    This has a tremendous human cost. If we don’t take care of our people, how can we claim to be a great place to live? It’s time for Americans to start taking mental health seriously.

  • Which is Better: An Electric Toothbrush, or Manual?

    Which is Better: An Electric Toothbrush, or Manual?

    Dentists advise that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. At the very least, you should brush once in the morning when you get up and then before bed. But, when it comes to brushing, what kind of toothbrush should you use? Are electric toothbrushes or manual toothbrushes the better option? Today we’re going to get into it.

    Electric Toothbrush or Manual Toothbrush?

    Are Electric Toothbrushes Better?

    Electric toothbrushes are often marketed as being able to help you more thoroughly clean your teeth. They use small, motorized mechanics to spin or move back and forth at rapid speeds to knock plaque off of your teeth. It’s generally agreed upon that electric toothbrushes are actually better, on average, than manual toothbrushes, at removing plaque.

    Another big aspect of electric toothbrushes is that they’re great for people with limited mobility. They’re able to do a lot of the work of getting plaque off of your teeth for you. As such, if you have a harder time manipulating a toothbrush, you might want to get an electric toothbrush.

    Electric Benefits

    There are a few unique benefits to electric brushes. One such benefit is that you produce less waste with an electric brush if you only need to replace the head. That way, you’re not throwing away your brush entirely, just the head.

    They could also have built-in timers, which help to make sure that you’re spending the right amount of time brushing. It’s best to keep track of your brushing time so that you’re neither sprinting through it nor taking too long and overbrushing.

    Another benefit is that some studies show you might be more focused on the task at hand when you’re using an electric brush.

    Manual Toothbrush Benefits

    On the flip side, there’s nothing wrong with manual toothbrushes, either. In general, you’re able to get your teeth just as clean with a manual brush as you would be with an electric brush. However, manual brushes are generally less expensive and could have less upkeep required.

    Manual toothbrushes can’t run out of batteries, won’t stop working randomly, and are always able to get your teeth as clean as you need them to be. Keep in mind, however, with a manual brush, that you’ll have to use a bit more elbow grease to get your teeth as clean as you could with an electric brush.