Green Tea Extract

Green tea has been traced as far back as over 4000 years ago in China. The medicinal properties of tea have been given serious scientific support. Studies have shown that drinking four cups of green tea a day can reduce the risk of developing stomach and lung cancer as well as heart disease. Green tea contains the cancer-fighting flavonoid ECGC, which is unique in that it seems to fight cancer at all stages, from chemical carcinogens, to suppressing the spread of tumors. Flavonoids are most commonly known for their antioxidant activity. The chemical components in green tea are 100 times more powerful an antioxidant as Vitamin C, and 25 times more powerful than Vitamin E.


Did you know that green tea can even help prevent tooth decay? Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria, which causes dental plaque. Green tea antioxidants have been shown to have a direct effect on lowering cholesterol levels as well. Green tea also causes carbohydrates to be released slowly, preventing sharp increases in blood-insulin levels. This promotes the burning of fat. Many scientists believe there is a connection between all of the components of green tea; and these combined properties account for its health-enhancing properties. Unfermented green tea leaves, by the way, are the most natural way to gain these benefits.


Green tea extract can be purchased in any health food store, supermarket or pharmacy. It is available in several forms including: tablets, powder, capsules, liquid, and as a tea. Capsule forms are known to contain the most antioxidants. Consumers interested in green tea extract benefits, should look for tea products that are the freshest possible, as well as sealed in an airtight container, as green tea does not have a long shelf life.


Green tea extract contains caffeine, which has been known to contribute to problems sleeping when taken before bedtime, as well as irritability, dizziness, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and possible irregular heartbeat in rare cases.

Tips on Reducing Tummy Bloating

For many women, abdominal bloating can be painful, uncomfortable, or just annoying. Bloating is when your tummy feels tight or full, and is usually caused by excess gas. Often bloating is caused by overeating, but if you’re exercising portion control and still feeling tight; here are some other causes and how to treat them.

• Food Intolerance. If you’re not overeating, but feel bloated shortly after you eat; you may have food intolerance. Unlike food allergies, food intolerances are when your body can’t properly digest a certain kind of food. While the most common of these is lactose intolerance, it isn’t the only one. Observe your eating habits. If a specific food makes you feel bloated, try to avoid it.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is when you feel bloated on a regular basis. This occurs when your colon doesn’t work properly. Other symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. If you suspect you have IBS, you should check with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment options. If you have this syndrome; it can be controlled by diet, medicines, fiber supplements, or herbal remedies.
• Period Time. Many women feel bloated during their period. Most attribute this to water weight gain, but studies have shown that most women don’t actually gain weight during their period. Most women simply feel boated as opposed to actually being bloated. These symptoms can be caused by fluctuating hormones, irritability, and depression. The best cure for this is to eat a good diet and exercise. If you still feel bloated, you can try using natural diuretics to get rid of water weight.
• Rare, more serious conditions. If you start to bloat in the abdominal area and it doesn’t go away; don’t just assume you’ve put on weight. Prolonged abdominal bloating can be a symptom of ovarian cancer, liver disease, or tumors in the abdominal cavities. If you exercise and eat right and the bloating just doesn’t go away; see a doctor as soon as possible.

Hopefully these suggestions will lead you down the road to recovery. And as always: if in doubt, talk to your doctor.

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Many of you may have already read this book when it first came out. It is still one of the top selling books today. Chicken Soup for the Soul is a collection of 101 stories based on the belief that true testimonies of goodness and loving transformations can nourish us to the bone and heal the cynicism in our hearts. Indeed, most every story seeps in deeply. It's hard not to shed a tear of gratitude, feeling thrilled to have been touched and soothed so easily.

Written by Jack Canfield, this is one book you will keep re-reading year after year. Here are what other readers of this wonderful book had to say.

“I liked the book, mainly because it cheers me up. This book not only makes your heart smile, but also your soul smile, with quotes such as: "Don't bug me! Hug me!" and even made the people who are the most crippled smile.”

Highlighting the strength and beauty of the human spirit, this book will take you on a journey wherein you meet people from all walks of life who suffer, yet whose incredible spirituality leads the way to enlightenment.

Check out this book, if you have not already done so, and allow it to envelop your mind, soul and spirit.

Where can I buy it? Amazon.com

7 Reasons Why You Should Drink Water

We know water is good for us, but with soda, juice, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other drinks so readily available, it’s hard to make the decision to choose water.

Here are 7 great reasons to drink more water.

1. Keeps skin looking great. If your skin looks tired and unhealthy, so do you. Staying properly hydrated removes all the toxins that build up in you skin, and helps prevent it from drying out. If you have the opposite problem; puffy bloated skin, lack of water is likely your problem too. When skin doesn’t get water, it retains what it already had, leaving your skin cells full, puffy, and not too attractive. If you want to look beautiful, you should keep yourself hydrated.


2. It’s cheaper. Sure, if you buy bottled water, it’s about as expensive as soda, juice, and coffee. However, studies have shown that tap water is usually as clean and safe as bottled water, and costs a whole lot less. If you have a problem with the taste of your tap water, buy a filter pitcher or one that attaches to the faucet. It still costs a lot less.


3. A healthy heart. When you’re properly hydrated, your blood is thinner and easier to pump. This means your heart has to do less work and ultimately lasts longer. Studies have shown that people who drink plenty of water have fewer heart problems.


4. Toxic build-up. Sure, it sounds like something from a bathroom cleaner commercial, but you have toxins in your cells too. Some of them come from the environment and others you produce yourself. Either way, they’re in your body and you need to get rid of them. Just like you use water to flush your toilet; your body uses water to flush out toxins. Getting rid of this waste helps you function more effectively and feel better.


5. No sugar added. While fruit juices may contain many nutrients, they also contain a whole lot of sugar. This is especially true for many bottled juices from the grocery store. This sudden burst of sugar triggers your insulin response and makes you tired and sluggish. It also helps to convert that sugar to fats faster. Sugary sodas will produce the same reaction and they usually contain no nutrients at all.


6. Caffeine is a diuretic. So why water? Why not drink diet soda or coffee all day? These drinks contain caffeine, which actually causes you to lose water throughout the day. You retain some of the water content of the beverages, but not as much as when you drink pure water. You can try decaffeinated beverages, but the best way to use the water you drink is to get it pure and clean, with no chemicals added.


7. Gives you an energy boost. Think you can’t get through the day without your morning caffeine boost? Well water can give you energy as well. Your body is made up mostly of water. It loses it throughout the day, so you have to replace it for your body to work efficiently; particularly the heart and digestive tract. As mentioned earlier, water helps your body work better by getting rid of excess waste. The more efficiently your whole body is working, the better you’ll feel and the more energy you’ll have. You may even have enough energy to skip that cup of coffee.

So go ahead, skip the vending machine, go to the faucet, and get yourself a nice, refreshing glass of ice water.

Green Olive Spread

Ingredients:
2 cups Spanish green olives
2 Tablespoons capers
7 fresh Spanish marinated anchovy fillets
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley
1/2 cup olive oil

Directions:
Combine green olives, capers, anchovy fillets, lemon zest and parsley together in a blender and puree thoroughly. Once puréed, add olive oil and blend until mixed well.

Tip:
Use this spread as a cracker or bread topper or add to dressings to create a unique and tasty flavor.

Benefits of Riding a Bike

Everybody rode their bike as a kid. It was a means of transportation and just a good way to get from here to there. As we age, we realize that we need some steady form of exercise and bike riding can be just the ticket! Read on to see just how great riding a bike is for your health.

It's Great for the Heart!
Riding a bike is great cardiovascular exercise and increases the health of your heart. Everybody needs a minimum of thirty minutes of aerobic exercise at least three days a week. Purchasing a bike with several speeds will allow you to increase you fitness level as your cardiovascular function improves. Begin by riding at an easy speed over even ground. If a challenge is what you desire, change your terrain.

Bicycling is Kind to the Joints!
Women often experience joint pain especially in the knees as they get older. Osteoporosis causes joint problems to worsen because of the lack of proper calcium levels in the bones. Bike riding offers exercise without pain. The aerobic benefit is comparable to jogging or running without the strain. Make sure that the seat height on your bike is adjusted to allow your legs full range of motion with each revolution. Full range of motion also promotes better circulation to the lower extremities which do the majority of the work in moving the bicycle.

You Get Great Looking Legs!
Bicycling whips those leg muscles into shape. For muscular endurance, stick to a flat terrain, but adjust the speed of the bike as your strength improves. To avoid cramping, stretch thoroughly before and after each bike ride. If you are looking to increase muscle definition, vary your terrain. Off-road biking on dirt trails helps to flex leg muscles as you keep the bicycle under control even on uneven ground. Steep hills are great for working the quadriceps and hamstrings.

The Backside Gets a Little Boost Too!
The gluteus muscles also reap rewards from bike riding. For maximum power, raise your body about an inch off of the seat as you pedal. Squeeze your butt to control the pedaling motion. After a mile or so, those glutes should be on fire.

Increases Your Balance!
Learning to ride a bike is all about staying upright. To do that, you have to find a balance between your body and the bike. Maintaining that balance strengthens the core muscles of the abdominal region. Tightening the core muscles keeps you from falling off of the bike. The lower abdominals pull your legs back towards you body from the bottom of the cycling revolution. The lower back is also kept pain free by a strong balanced core.

Riding a bike is not just for kids. I am a great testament to this because I had not been on a bike for at least 15-20 years. The last bike I had was a 10-speed in high school. My husband just bought me a bike and we have started going out as a family. Man...my legs BURN like you wouldn't believe! Even though there's pain, the benefits are great and I know this too shall pass. This is something that the entire family can do together and have fun at the same time. Get on out there and try it!

Natural Ways to Boost Your Memory

We would all love to be able to remember things better. Being a SuperMom is exhausting and if you're like me, your kids having taken all of your brain cells and your memory is shot! We could all use a little boost to our memory. The best way to optimize your memory is to eat right and exercise (your brain and your body), but it you find this isn’t helping enough, there are safe, natural foods and supplements that will help give your memory the boost you’re looking for.

Here are some important nutrients and supplements that will help boost your memory along with other great side effects.

• Choline. This is the main nutrient required in the production of acetocholine, the most essential chemical in retaining memories. Choline can be found in fish (particularly anchovies), eggs, liver, soy, and various nuts.
• DMAE. This is easily absorbed into the brain and also aids in the production of acetylcholine. It can be found in sardines and anchovies, but most people prefer taking a supplement. Be sure to take it in the morning, as it can cause insomnia.
• Vitamins. Getting enough of the B vitamins and vitamin C are essential for the production proper brain function. B vitamins have even been shown to raise scores on IQ tests.
• Pyroglutamate. This is an essential amino acid that can be used to improve memory, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. It improves reception of neurotransmitters and aids in the production of acetylcholine. It is found in dairy products, fish, fruit, and vegetables.
• Phosphatidylserine. This chemical has not only been shown to improve memory, but also to concentration, mood, and resistance to stress. While you can get this nutrient from diet, you’d probably be more comfortable taking a supplement.
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These “good fats” can be found in fish, including: tuna, salmon, and mackerel. They can also be found in certain nuts and oils. This boosts the amount of acetylcholine and serotonin in the body which improves memory and mood.
• Ginko Biloba. This is used to improve circulation, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Ginko improves memory and gives you an energy boost. It has been show to help memory loss from normal aging and Alzheimer’s. Be careful how much you take, it can have side effects due to its blood thinning properties.
• Vinpocetine. This supplement is derived from the periwinkle plant and increases circulation. It has been proven to improve decision making and problem solving skills.
• Carnitine. This is an essential amino acid that improves memory and brain function and mood; it also has antioxidant properties. Acetyl-L-carnitine is essential in the production of acetylcholine.
• Glutamine. Another important amino acid for brain function. Along with the improved brain function, glutamine is an energy booster can help you break your addictions to stimulants. It also helps balance neurotransmitters and blood sugar levels.

Getting one or two of these nutrients can help you feel better and improve memory, but if you want to have optimal functioning and memory, it’s best to get as appropriate amounts of each of these nutrients from diet and supplements if you can.