Three Things To Look For In A Weight Loss Plan

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

If you have been trying to lose weight, you understand just how much of a struggle this can be. After all, lots of people spend years trying and failing to lose weight - going through weight loss program after weight loss program. If all this sounds familiar, however, you first need to realize is that everyone has the ability to lose weight - and the second thing you need to realize is that this includes you, as long as you are able to find the right program for you!

The first thing you need to keep your eyes open for in a weight loss program is that it is safe; a lot of weight loss programs capitalize on the desire people have to lose weight fast, but a steady, safe approach to weight loss is far better in the long run.

The second thing you need to make sure of is that the weight loss program you are looking at is actually effective; there are a lot of weight loss programs out there that truly do bring miraculous results in an incredibly short amount of time - but the reason these programs are able to accomplish this is that they are making you lose muscle weight or water weight. And in this way, you will actually be making yourself less healthy than before, and will be setting yourself up for weight gain later on!

And lastly, you are going to need to find a weight loss program that is easy; of course, most people who read that will say, "Well, of course, but that's impossible" - but the truth is, there are plenty of weight loss programs out there that work, and some will be far easier for you than others!

Safe, effective, easy weight loss will not occur all at once - but this is not to say that it cannot occur at all; every person has the ability to lose weight in a safe, effective manner - and this includes you - so start looking for the program that is right for you, and soon you can experience the results you desire!

How To Stay In Great Shape Without "Working Out"

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

The idea of being in shape and having a body that one can feel good about is something that appeals to most people, but many of these same people cannot quite bring their body to put in the work it needs to put in for them to reach this point; at the same time, however - if you have ever felt this way yourself - one thing you should realize is that there are actually a number of ways to work out your body without actually doing a "workout"!

One of the best ways to work out your arms, your lats, and your legs is by rock climbing; whether it is by joining a rock climbing gym or by going rock climbing outdoors, this is an activity that can be done simply for fun - but as you do it, you will be seriously strengthening a number of areas in your body, moving you closer to that body you hope to have!

Hiking is a great way to work out your legs more directly, and in a different manner; of course, "walking" is a workout some people choose, but others find walking to be too bland (or to feel too much like they are doing it just to "workout," which turns them off the idea altogether!), but hiking can be done simply for the joy of getting out into nature and exploring - all while giving your legs a great workout over varied terrain.

And if you want to give your body a good cardiovascular workout, but do not especially feel like going for runs or playing sports, consider jumping rope; to some people, jumping rope certainly feels like a workout, but to others, it feels like nothing more than a throwback to their childhood - something that is fun and enjoyable, while also giving their body an inarguably high-quality cardiovascular workout!

By keeping these ideas in mind, you should be able to move yourself closer to reaching the goal of that body you want to reach, all without having to "workout," but instead by being able to simply engage in activities that are a lot of fun!

How To Keep Your Mouth Healthy

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Most people do a fairly good job of making sure they are staying healthy, but one thing they forget to think about as often as they should is the fact that keeping their mouth healthy is as important as keeping any other part of their body healthy - and on top of that, keeping a mouth healthy is even easier than keeping a body healthy, as long as you know what to do, and as long as you stick to what you should do!

Brushing your teeth after every meal (not just at the beginning and end of each day!) will be the foundation of keeping your mouth healthy; when food sits on your teeth for long periods of time, it does damage to your teeth, but by brushing after each meal, you will be able to get rid of this food long before it has a chance to hurt your teeth in any way.

Some people feel that flossing is a habit that is extremely difficult to take up, as it seems like an uncomfortable and - quite frankly - unnecessary thing to do, but you should also realize how important flossing is if you want to keep your mouth as healthy as it should be; in the same way that you will want to brush your teeth frequently to keep food from sitting on your teeth, you will want to floss at least twice each day, as this will keep the food that lodges itself between your teeth from sitting there against your gums and between your teeth for long periods of time.

And of course, if you want to keep a healthy mouth, you will want to do all the "extra" things as well, making sure you are using mouthwash to kill the germs that can damage your mouth, and using a tongue scraper to get rid of all the excess stuff that sits on your tongue.

When you take the time to do all these things - and when you also watch what you are eating, and avoid putting too much sugar an other harmful foods into your mouth - you will be able to ensure that you have fresh breath and (more importantly!) a healthy mouth, one that will remain healthy for years and years to come.

Ten Tips For Boosting Your Child's Self Esteem

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Every child needs regular self esteem boosts, especially from parents. The following are ten suggestions for boosting your child's self esteem.

Provide supportive praise that acknowledges choices and is specific in nature. While it's great to say, "You're sweet," it's even more effectvie if you say, "I'm proud of you for wiping your baby brother's chin; that's very caring of you," which rewards the child for the specific behavior.

Compliment your child on unique characteristics. Try to catch your child doing something good.

Spend time with your child. When you spend time with your child, you're saying your child is important to you.

Give your child your full attention when he or she is speaking. Show you are listening by nodding and asking questions.

Get behind your child's interests. Pay for lessons, go to practices, listen to your child’s enthusiasm, and get excited about the things that make your child happy.

When you must discipline your child, do so assuming your child will listen and obey. You need to remain optimistic that this time your child will finally get it, even if it’s a tough issue.

Think about your facial expressions, being sure to smile. Many adults don’t realize how serious their expressions are, and how frightening a serious face can be to a child.

Shower your child with affection. Your touch means so very much to your child.

Take note when your child overcomes an obstacle. This is even more powerful if your child has repeatedly failed in one area. Your affirmation will help your child believe his or her efforts matter.

Post evidence of your child’s success somewhere it can be seen.

Bonus Tip: Stock up on parenting books that will give you more strategies for improving your child's self esteem. If you have a preteen daughter, read Reviving Ophelia; if you have kids who can't get along, read Siblings Without Rivalry. If raising boys, consider reading Raising Cain, and if your child is overly energetic, read Raising Your Spirited Child.

How To Deal With An Addiction

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Dealing with an addiction of any sort can be a frustrating and even demeaning experience, as you will often go through times when the only thing you want is to not be affected by this addiction, but when you cannot seem to get away from it in spite of this fact; some people (usually people who have never dealt with the addiction you are fighting) will tell you that it is simply a matter of will power, but in truth, addictions are much more complex and complicated than this.

Simply admitting that you have a problem is the first step to overcoming an addiction; this seems simple on the surface, but the truth is, a lot of people who struggle with an addiction will spend plenty of time justifying this addiction and claiming that it is not really that big of a problem, and this only causes the addiction to become stronger and stronger in their life!

Once you have admitted that you have a problem, the next step you need to take is telling someone else about the struggle you are dealing with; this can be an extremely difficult step to take, but realize that it is nearly impossible to fight an addiction on your own - but when you admit to someone else that you are fighting this addiction, they will be able to add their strength to yours in helping you to combat it.

And finally, you will want to understand that it can be easy to get overwhelmed when you are fighting an addiction, especially if you try to look at the big picture of it, but if you narrow your focus and learn to take things one day - and one decision - at a time, it will make it a lot easier for you to come out triumphant in the end!

There is no "perfect way" to fight an addiction, as an addiction can be a messy and frustrating thing to deal with in the first place, but when you take this approach, you will at least be on the right road, and will be able to take this road step by step to your recovery.

Exercising In A Healthy Manner

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

A lot of people have a desire to stay in shape, and to keep their body healthy, through regular exercise, but one thing a lot of people are not quite aware of is the fact that - while working out in a healthy manner is certainly beneficial for your body - it can be bad for your body if you work out incorrectly, and for this reason it is important to make sure you know how to exercise in a healthy manner.

Doing cardio work is one of the core components of working out, as this will help to keep your body in shape and will go a long way in helping you lose that weight you are hoping to lose; when it comes to cardio workouts, however, you will want to make sure you are taking them lightly, as doing too much cardio - in too intense a manner - can be bad for both your heart and your joints!

Lifting weights is another area where you will need to be careful, as it is very easy to hurt your back when you are lifting free weights; before you start lifting, make sure you gain a thorough understanding of all the things you need to know in order to lift properly - building strength while protecting your back in the process.

And finally, if you are doing your lifting on a weight machine, realize that these machines can put you in a position where it is easy for you to strain muscles if you are not careful; familiarize yourself with any weight machine before using it, and this will help you to avoid the injuries that could so easily ruin your weight lifting experience.

When you make sure to keep each of these things in mind, you will be able to work out to get your body in shape and to sculpt it until it looks the way you want it to look - without being stuck dealing with all the awful side effects so many others deal with when it comes to exercise!

How To Prevent Ticks While Hiking

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

There are lots of bugs out there, and there are very few of them that many of us want crawling over our body; but out of all these bugs, ticks are definitely some of the worst! After all, ticks to more than just crawl on your body; they try to make your body their new home! Ticks live off your blood; and if you have one that has made its home on you, it can be nearly impossible to get rid of! After all, a tick continues to damage your body even if you pull it out - and you have to burn or drown them to kill them! Because of all these things, the best way to keep ticks from making your body their home is to keep them off your body altogether.

Of course, you will have no real problem staying away from ticks if you do not have pets and if you are not the "outdoorsy" type. If, on the other hand, you enjoy hiking and camping, you should follow these tips, and it will not be as difficult to keep them off as it normally would be.

Firstly, know that there are two places where you are likely to get ticks: from trees, and from tall grass. You will not exactly be able to avoid trees altogether if you are hiking or camping, but you will be able to cut in half your exposure to ticks if you avoid tall grass as best you can.

Wearing pants and long sleeves is also important, and even though you might think this will make you too hot in the summer, there are actually plenty of "performance apparel" items in which you can still stay cool. At worst, you should wear pants, as this will at least keep the lower half of your body protected.

And by using such bug sprays as Sawyer Maxi Deet Insect Repellent, you can not only keep ticks away, but can also keep away gnats, chiggers, fleas, and mosquitos.

By spraying this onto any of your exposed skin before you go into the great outdoors, you will be in much better shape.

Of course, you should be fine as long as you have followed these tips - but all the same, you should always give your body a thorough check whenever you return home.

Tips For Sleeping Through The Night

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Life can become very taxing indeed when you are always going to work without a full night of sleep; after all, this cycle seems to perpetuate itself until you are always feeling tired, and are never seeming to be able to get enough sleep. While some people deal with sleep losss for extremely complicated reasons, the first thing you should do – if you are experiencing trouble sleeping – is explore the easiest solutions, seeing if any of them work for you, before visiting a doctor or taking other, more drastic measures.

Check your mattress: Sleeping on a mattress that is no good for them is one of the biggest things that will cause a person to lose sleep; each person has slightly different needs when it comes to a mattress, and if you go to most mattress specialists, they will be able to assess exactly what it is you need.

Sleep when you are tired: Another reason people find themselves tossing and turning throughout the night is that they actually go to bed long before they are tired – going to bed simply because “it is time to go to bed”; instead of doing this, you should begin to wait until you are tired before you go to sleep, and as you wake up at the same time each day, your body will start to regulate itself so that you are tired at exactly the time you need to be tired.

Unwind: A lot of people are in the habit of dropping into bed after going nonstop all day long; get in the habit of unwinding and relaxing for about thirty minutes before bedtime, and you will likely find that you sleep much better throughout the night.

If you are sleeping no better than before after trying all these things, it might be time to seek the help of your doctor; but try these three things first, and find out whether any of these things help you get a better night of sleep!

An Exploration Of Great Ways To "Replenish" Yourself

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

When it comes to your day-to-day life, one thing that will be extremely important will be that you find ways to replenish yourself from all the difficulties that come with your job, your interactions, and your other responsibilities; of course, you can replenish yourself in lots of different ways, and the "best way" will be different for every different person, but if you are in need of some ideas for replenishing yourself, here are a few worth keeping in mind.

Finding a hobby that you particularly enjoy is one of the best ways to enjoy an evening, and to replenish yourself in the process; when you have one such hobby - something that enables you to relax and pass the time with a smile on your face as you do it - you will have no problem getting the most out of your time in the evening!

Another thing that will go a long way in helping you to replenish yourself will be simply taking a bit of time to enjoy some peace and quiet; until you think about it, you may not realize it, but most people never spend any time with true silence - but silence is an important element in your quest to be able to get the most out of life!

And you do not have to be on your own for all forms of replenishment, as another one of the best ways to replenish yourself is to simply spend time with someone you love; when you do this, you will be able to create memories together, and will be able to help each other relax - which will help each of you continue to get the most out of your days.

At times, life can get pretty hectic, and as a result, you can end up losing a lot of your passion and zest for it, but when you take the time to regularly replenish and take care of yourself, you will be able to continually feel great, and will be able to continually maximize your enjoyment of life as a result.

How To Stretch Properly Before Playing Sports

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Pulling a muscle while playing sports is one of the most frustrating things that can happen, as it can not only take you out of the game itself, but can also put you in a lot of pain for several weeks to come; especially as you get older and the sports you participate in are more “recreational,” it can be easy to forget about stretching, and stretching for a sport that you do not take all that seriously can seem a bit silly. But even though stretching before you play a sport that is not all that competitive might seem a bit silly, it is much worse to pull a muscle while playing a sport that is not all that competitive – so take the time to understand how to stretch properly so that you will not have to deal with this issue!

You should start out by stretching your lower legs – that is, your calves and your ankles; a few great stretches for these muscles are to stand on the back of your foot with the front of the other foot, pushing down until you feel the tendons at the back of your ankle stretching out, and also, to lean forward and push against the wall with your legs stretched out behind you, so that you feel your calf muscles stretching.

When you are stretching, it will also be very important that you pay attention to your hamstrings, as these are some of the muscles that are most likely to get injured; a couple great ways to stretch out your hamstrings are to hang down with your upper body and try to touch your toes, and to sit on the ground with your legs spread out as you lean down and try to touch your toes this way.

And people often forget about the importance of stretching their upper body as well when they are preparing for sports; make sure you do a few simple upper body stretches before you engage in any sport – even a sport where you will not be using your upper body – as this will help you to limber up and to avoid the risk of injury.

One Week Do-It-Yourself Detox Program

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

You've decided to detox, but you want to use all natural products and do it yourself, at home. That’s fine; this easy-to-follow natural detox plan will get you where you want to go. You'll want to follow this plan over a course of a week, easing your way into it.

You'll start off the week by cutting fats and sugars from your diet on Monday and Tuesday. Promise yourself you will not drink alcohol for the next seven days. Replace caffeine with non-caffeinated drinks for the next seven days.

Next you'll take your diet to another level, removing meat, dairy, and processed foods, committing to a strictly vegan diet from Wednesday on through the rest of the week. Try to drink at least 50% more water than you usually do.

For the last three days of your cleanse, you'll want to go hard-core, committing to an organic, raw veggie and fruit meal plan.

Your weekend detox plan should entail all of the following: Drink water, senna tea, fasting support tea, and Master Cleanse lemonade (lemon juice, water, cayenne pepper, and pure maple syrup, to taste) throughout all three days.

Be sure to eat something every couple of hours. Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables. Be sure to wash the produce well to remove pesticides.

Faciliate bowel movements. Follow your body's urges, which may mean you spend a significant amount of time in the restroom.

When detoxing, you'll want to plan for enough downtime to catch up on sleep. Take time for regular sleep and naps.

Get a massage. Massage promotes the excretion of waste products. If you get a full-body Swedish or deep-tissue massage, your body will process waste much better, leaving you feeling all the more refreshed. At your appointment, let the massage therapist know you are in the process of detoxing, and be sure to drink extra water.

Exercise gently. You may want to walk, hike, or practice yoga, all of which will work up a cleansing sweat.

Take the time to care for your skin, which is your biggest organ. Shower or bath, using all natural products, and follow up with a body brush. Use the body brush on dry skin, exfoliating and stimulating your pores to release even more toxins.

Once your week of detoxing is over, you'll need to return to your regular ways with caution. You may feel inspired to eliminate some of the habits you now realize were hurting you.

Taking Apart Health Myths

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Most people want to be healthy, but what they often don't realize is that there are a number of "health myths" they may be holding onto - things that they believe will keep them healthy, when in fact these things may have no positive effect whatsoever on health, and may even have a negative effect; if you are looking to make sure you are staying as healthy as possible, it will be important that you make sure you are aware of (and are avoiding!) the health myths that plague so many others.

One of the greatest health myths is the idea that you should be sure to get a minimum of six servings of grains per day in order to remain healthy; while there are certainly health benefits to eating grains, there are also detriments to consuming grains - especially in such large quantities as some people do - and if you are wanting to remain healthy, you should make yourself aware of the potential health risks associated with processed grains (and with other processed foods) so that you can avoid these risks yourself.

Many people also think that fats are bad for them, but actually, there are certain fats that are not only "not bad" for you, but that are good for you, as they encourage your body to burn the fat it is holding onto; if you have a few pounds that you are hoping to lose, one of the best things you can do is make sure you understand the difference between good fats and bad fats so that you can put the right things into your body.

And perhaps the biggest health myth of all is the idea that it is important for you to work out all the time - or that working out all the time is beneficial for your body; when you work out too much, you will be putting undue stress on your body, which will lower your immune system and open you up to fatigue and disease. Instead of working out for a couple hours each day - running several miles, or packing in significant time in the gym - pace yourself in your workouts, giving your body a nice, steady diet of easy workouts, and watch as your health improves!

How To Know If You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome impairs the lifestlyes of roughly one million US adults.  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (commonly known as CFS) is largely described by its name, but it takes a bit more than this to diagnose CFS. You can use this handy guide to tell whether you might be suffereing from CFS if you have been unusually tired for reasons not related to lack of sleep or over-exertion.

If you are consistently feeling tired or fatigued for no specific reason, this is one of the first signs of CFS. This fatigue would be extreme enough to reduce your regular activity levels. If this is the case, you should begin to look for the additional signs of CFS.

Among these signs are the following: memory or concentration that is not what it used to be; sleep that does little to refresh you; muscle pain; new headaches, or headaches that are stronger than what you used to experience; recurring soar throat; pain in your joints. If a combination of these symptoms persist for an extended amount of time - around six months or longer - you should see a physician so they can test you for CFS. Because CFS is defined and diagnosed in a number of different ways, this diagnosis from a doctor will come by process of elimination. They are mostly likely to decide that you have CFS if they are unable to establish any other cause for your symptoms.

While CFS has a number of "cures," none of them have been proven to work across the board. Two things that come into play here are the instigating factors and the severity of the CFS. For instance, antidepressants can help to solve CFS for those who are suffering due to depression. Furthermore, such simple adjustments as dietary adjustments and regular exercise can help to combat CFS. Search for a doctor who has dealt with CFS before if you find that you have it yourself. Such a doctor will be better-equipped to help you with the nuances of this terrible affliction.

Your best bet, if you have been excessively tired lately and cannot explain why, is to simply cross your fingers and hope that this problem disappears. But if these symptoms do not just simply go away, you may be dealing with CFS; if this is the case, you should begin combatting it right away.

Which Yoga Practice is Best For You?

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Have you considered taking a yoga class, but are intimidated by the many types of yoga? The many types of yoga can be confusing, but with a little help you'll figure out which type of yoga practice will best meet your needs. The descriptions provided below should help you figure out which kind of yoga will be most enjoyable for you.

Ashtanga yoga is the root of yoga, and as such is considered trustworthy and honorable. Ashtanga is a stenuous but paced workout that consists of working your way through a set series of yoga poses, all the while breathing through the movements. An Astanga yoga practice will require you to master one set of asana before you are promoted to the next level.

Power yoga is the American version of yoga, the one you'll find at most gymnasiums and community centers. Power yoga poses are loosely interpreted from Ashtanga poses and do not follow any set order of procession. The poses may be presented in an athletically challenging order or pace, or they may be toned down to suit a gentler audience, depending on the instructor's preference.

Bikram yoga classes are heated to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, earning the nickname "hot yoga". Bikram yoga moves fast, is very physically demanding, and always follows the same routine, which includes breathing exercises.

Dahn yoga is relatively a new yoga practice, begun by Ilchi Lee in the mid-eighties. Dahn yoga combines martial arts with yoga asana. The practice is intended to free the flow of chi so you have unfettered flow of energy throughout your body.

Anasara is yet another modern yoga, begun in 1997 by John Friend. Anasara is a gentle, graceful yoga practice, centered on the pursuit of embodiment of goodness, love, and virtue.

You may wish to read more about the different types of yoga or try a few yoga DVDs to see which form you prefer before you seek out a yoga studio near you.

Eating A Healthier Breakfast

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

You have likely heard it said that the most important meal of the day is breakfast, and there are two reasons why this is true: Firstly, it is true because, when it comes time for breakfast, you have been sleeping all night and will literally be "breaking a fast"; Secondly, it is true because your breakfast foods will be the foods you are starting your day with! While many people are "too busy" to eat breakfast (which is certainly a bad thing), lots of other people decide that they are "too busy" to eat a healthy breakfast (which is almost as bad!).

Even as busy as you might be, you should never begin your day eating something like a doughnut or a pastry; because you have not eaten in a while, your body will store the fat from these foods, and furthermore, these foods provide you with nothing but empty calories!

Oats are a great food to start your day with, as oats give you energy and are also good for your body; oatmeal is, of course, a great way to get oats at the start of the day, but if you do not like oatmeal, try eating an oat bar or a bowl of cereal.

Yogurt is another great food to start your day with; rather than purchasing sugar-filled yogurt that is really nothing more than a dessert, however, take the time to shop for some organic yogurt that is actually healthy, as this will be a great way for you to start the morning!

Of course, fruit is a tremendous choice for breakfast, and like most of these other foods, fruit is easy to bring with you on the road - which means you can eat it even if you are "too busy" to make yourself breakfast!

Once you start getting some of these foods into your body at the start of every morning, you will feel a big difference in your energy throughout the day, and your body will start to be much healthier than it had been before!

Ins and Outs of Guided Meditation

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Have you thought about trying a guided meditation class, but are unsure? Are you unsure what the best way is to start a sitting practice? The advantage of guided meditation sessions is you just focus on the instructor as you learn the discipline of taming your mind.

When starting, you'll want to choose between a guided meditation class or an at-home session led by a guided meditation CD. Some meditation programs are focused on a specific purpose, such as smoking cessation or losing weight, where as some are general meditation guides.

Actual guided meditations classes enable you to meet others who meditate on a regular basis. Your fellow classmates can teach you how to best sit comfortably, which can take some getting used to. Many people find the group setting helps them establish discipline with their practice, especially in the beginning. You may also enjoy seeing your guide in person and listening to his or her meditiation practice history.

If you buy a guided meditation CD, make sure it's at least a half hour long (an hour is better). Find a secluded spot where you can concentrate for the entire time without interruption.

Once the CD gets going, close your eyes, settle into a position that will be comfortable but in which you can stay alert, and focus on the guide's voice.

Pay attention to your breath as you follow the breathing exercises, deepening your relaxation and meditation. Once you are sufficiently relaxed, the instructor will move on to imagery, depicting a serene environment for you to meditate upon. Then the instructor will guide you through thoughts about change or acceptance or relaxation, depending on the focus of the CD. Near the end of the CD, the instructor will talk you back out of your meditative trance, leaving you will positive thoughts that will carry you through the day.

You may find that guided meditation is just what you need--a stress relief tool and bad habit extinguisher, all in one.

Healthy Alternatives To Coffee

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Depending on where you find your information, you will hear and read that coffee is either great for you, or it is absolutely terrible. One thing is certain: caffeine does turn glucose into fat, so coffee with sugar is certainly not good for you. Also, you don't want to drink coffee with cream or half and half if you want to be healthy. And finally, no one really wants to be "dependent upon" or "addicted to" anything, not even to coffee. Here are three great options for you if you are thinking about cutting coffee out of your diet, or if you are wanting to balance your coffee intake with something else.

1) Tea: Even though tea includes caffeine, the caffeine content is much lower than in coffee, and tea is a much healthier alternative. Green tea can help with digestive disorders, and all tea contains antioxidants that are helpful in fighting diseases. Furthermore, green tea helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels for those who suffer from diabetes. You can also drink tea all day long, without fearing the adverse effects that can come from drinking coffee all day.

2) Yerba Mate: Many people think of Yerbe Mate as a form of tea, but actually it is not. Yerbe Mate is created from the yerba mate plant, which is native to South America. Yerbe Mate can be brewed in a regular coffee pot, and it can be purchased in packaged form at such stores as Whole Foods. While Yerba Mate tends to have very low caffeine levels, it also has a stimulating effect on the body. Yerbe Mate has additional health benefits compared to tea or coffee, while yeilding a similar effect. Yerbe Mate has been called an acquired taste, but it is worth a shot if you are feeling adventurous in your aims of kicking the coffee habit.

3) Fruit or vegetable juice: Drinking fruit juice or vegetable juice can be a great alternative to coffee. Most fruit and vegetable juices are packed with vitamins, and if you make it at home or buy organic, you will not be adding those nasty preservatives or piles of sugar. These drinks will leave your body feeling clean and refreshed, even if they do not provide that kick you are used to experiencing from coffee.

Kicking the coffee habit is no easy task, but by trying a number of alternatives, you will be one step closer to moving on from your coffee addiction for good.

Skin Care Advice for Teens

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Are your teenagers dealing with skin issues? Are you looking for simple skin care solutions? Use these skin care tips as guidelines for clear, clean complexions.

Establish a regular skin care program. Be sure to wash your face every morning and every night, but not more than that. If you wash too often, you'll risk dry skin problems, like flaking or cracking skin. Always use a mild cleanser, not soap.

Follow with exfoliating scrub. Make a scrub at home by combining three uncoated aspirin tablets with a bit of water in a little dish. Let it dissolve some and then use a spoon to crush it up. Add two tablespoons of honey. Mix and use as a scrub on T-zone, which is the nose, forehead, and chin. Rinse well using warm water.

Moisturize morning and night. Buy a moisturizer that has the ingredient salicylic acid in it; it'll fight breakouts. Don't fear moisturizer will clog your pores; just use an oil-free one. If you don't moisturize, you'll actually make things worse because you'll force your skin to overproduce oil to make up for it being so dry.

Don't use cream or liquid foundation on active breakouts. Use a light dusting of a mineral make up instead; it’ll soak up oil without clogging pore if you use it sparingly.

If you have persistent blackheads, pay for a professional, thorough extraction. It's best not to remove stubborn blackheads at home, but if you do, be sure to sterilize your hands and instruments, and wash your face before and after. Try not to irreparably damage skin. You'll save yourself from scarring and further irritation (and infection) if you let a professional do it.

The small time investment will help you have glowing skin. Daily attention is essential for good skin.

Lose Weight By Changing What You Drink

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

Are you frustrated with your weight loss efforts? You can probably eliminate a good 100-250 calories from your diet just by changing what you drink. By making these little changes, you can lose that extra weight.

Discover how good water can be. A simple Brita Filter can make tap water taste much better. Try different brands of bottled waters (they really do vary in taste), and consider alkalized water, which has a unique taste. If you cut up limes, lemons, or cucumbers and put the slices in your water, you'll find the taste to be more palatable.

Cut sweeteners out of your hot beverages such as coffee or tea. Remember, sugar, honey, and agave nectar all deliver empty calories. Start out by reducing how much sweetener you allow yourself in each beverage. Don't substitute artificial sweetenters for sugar; studies have recently linked artificial sweeteners to weight gain. Focus on the end goal: enjoying your hot beverages without sweetener at all.

You can also try different teas and coffees. Check out Good Earth Original Blend for a tea that is sweet and spicy without sweeteners, and try flavored coffees that are naturally sweet. You may find yourself prefering nonsweetened beverages after experimenting.

Cut out soft drinks altogether. Every 12-ounce sugar soda you drink puts about 140 calories of sugar into your body. Diet sodas are not the solution, since recent studies have linked diet soda consumption with weight problems. It's been theorized that artificial sweeteners either disrupt your body's metabolism or increase cravings for more sugar. Replace soda with seltzer water instead.

Phase out juice. While the sugars in juice are natural, they are still sugars. Even juice supplemented with artificial sweeteners is still high in calories, and you already know the artificial sweeteners are questionable in value. If you must have some juice, drink no more than four ounces (usually about 60 calories) at a time.

By changing what you drink, you can cut calories and increase your overall wellness.

Don't Get Discouraged By Weight Loss; Get More Information!

Expert demonstrates how you can loose weight fast with some, simple yet powerful nutrition strategies!

One of the big things that people tend to think about - especially given the current state of health of most Americans - is wanting to lose weight; at the same time, however, most people who have tried to lose weight end up finding that they have a hard time achieving success in their efforts - and in fact, these people often even reach a point where they feel like giving up altogether, assuming that something must just be wrong with their body and must be keeping them from getting down to the weight where they want to be.

If this is a way you have ever felt yourself, the first thing you need to realize is that weight loss is one of the most lucrative industries in the world - and what this means is that there are actually a lot of "miracle programs" that are marketed well, but that do not really help anyone lose weight, and are instead simply a means for businesses and entrepreneurs to make a quick buck.

Once you have realized that the fault does not lie with you, but that it instead lies with the programs you have been using, you will also need to realize that every person has the ability to reprogram their genes and lose weight - as long as they are able to find the approach or system that works best for them.

And finally, you will want to make the effort to begin doing a bit of research - looking into the different weight loss programs that are out there; once you are able to find a program that has genuine, good reviews, and that you feel comfortable using yourself, you will be able to start losing weight at last - and will be able to start moving toward the body you want to have.

And as you make your way through this process, be sure to keep in mind: every person has the ability to lose weight - and once you get this in your head and find the system that will work for you, you will finally be able to achieve these goals yourself!