Action4Balance

STRESS CAN MAKE YOU FAT AND RUIN YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

Chronic stress can cause cravings for cookies, candy, chips and other high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods.

Click HERE to read.

Parties have a very special part in our lives. So, is a food. Company parties, church gatherings and get togethers with friends all centers around food. How could you resist?

Food isn’t the only thing contributing to our weight gain however. There’s more.

Click HERE to read.

The benefits of a raw food diet  are numerous. More energy, weight loss, glowing skin, and amazing health are just a few. You can browse the internet and learn about mind boggling health transformations due to raw foods or simply try it for yourself and notice a profound and immediate difference.

But for some people, eating predominantly raw foods in the winter can be challenging. In the warmer months, it's much easier to stay on course with a raw food diet because living foods are water-rich and don't weigh you down like heavy, cooked foods. In turn, though, many people often resort to these heavy, homey meals to feel warm and satieted during the winter months.

Although there's nothing wrong with eating steamed or cooked veggies during the winter, please bear in mind that much of the nutrient value is dimished and food enzymes destroyed when you heat your foods.

So considering how beneficial it is to eat raw (as much as possible) what are some ways that can help you do so even when the thermometer dips below zero?

Eat Fattier Raw Foods

One of the best tricks to staying raw is simply to eat fattier raw foods. And don't worry, we're talking about healthy fats that your body can actually use - not trans fats and cooking oils. Healthy fats give you a feeling of satiety and can help tie you over so you feel starving throughout the day. This is especially important during the colder months when the body can actually burn more calories simply to stay warm.

Examples of nutritious fatty raw foods include avocados, young coconut meat, durian, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and ground flaxseeds.

Remember that because these foods are eaten raw, they are inherently abundant in enzymes which will enable better digestion. Furthermore, since these fats have not been heated, they are not rancid. Fats and oils that are used in cooking and heat-processing are one of the most dangerous sources of free radicals in the human body.

No one ever got fat eating raw foods because the body simply knows how to handle fats that in their raw state.

Get more info about raw food lifestyle at Fresh Network.

Related Articles:

Raw: Your Biggest Questions Answered

Stay Warm By Drinking Tea

Stay Warm & Lose Weight with CayennePepper

For many of us dieting is an important stressor. Even a thought about weight loss, a need to restrict food intake or drastically change dieting starts fight or flight stress reaction.

I would like to introduce another way you can look at your dieting efforts.

Have you heard of negative calorie foods?

Negative calorie foods are those which require more energy (calories) to digest than they provide nutritionally to our bodies - and people typically overlook them when trying to lose weight.

Dieters are often so obsessed with following the strict guidelines imposed by their diets that they limit their food intake (sometimes drastically) and deprive the body of essential fibers, vitamins, and nutrients it needs to maintain proper health and balanced function.

Some Negative Calorie Veggies:

* Broccoli
* Asparagus
* Celery
* Spinach
* Carrots
* Parsnips
* Radishes
* Rutabagas
* Turnips
* Cucumber
* Chicory
* Lettuce
* Celery root
* Zucchini
* Green Beans
* Hot Chili Peppers

Some Negative Calorie Fruits:

* Watermelon
* Pineapple
* Grape Fruit
* Papaya
* Apples
* Cranberries

Many negative calorie foods are readily available and affordable at our local supermarket, farmers market, and grocery isles.

Although they do not fit within the negative calorie food category, citrus fruits also aid the body in metabolizing and eliminating fats, and therefore are a great ally for weight loss.

Among them, lemon especially has amazing tonic properties that help detox the liver naturally. This is significant since the liver is one of the largest and most important organs of our bodies.

A sluggish liver cannot breakdown fats and sugars properly, which causes the entire metabolism to slow down. Without the liver’s optimal performance, losing weight becomes a monumental and sometimes insurmountable task.

Green tea (although it is not considered a food) not only has minimum calories, but numerous studies have shown that it actually helps the body to burn calories more efficiently-- besides providing healthy antioxidants that act as a tonic for the entire body.

Includingnegative foods in your daily diet is a great way to incorporate fiber-rich and wholesome foods that can complement your weight-loss program and keep you satisfied.

Natural Remedies to Help with Stress Free Weight loss

* EcoSlim - Assist slimming programs, maintain healthy weight & balanced metabolism
* Slimmer's Assist - Compliment a healthy diet and weight management program
* Detox Drops - Promote elimination of toxins and naturally flush out the system
* Fatigue Fighter - Promote healthy levels of energy and stamina without artificial stimulants

Did the holiday rush leave you with no time to stick to your normal exercise and diet routines?

You’re not alone-- most people gain weight during the holidays no matter how hard they try to avoid it.

But did you know that adding a dash of cayenne pepper to your everyday life can be a great natural weight loss aid?

Not only that, cayenne pepper aids circulation, which will help your body stay warm during the winter months. This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from cold hands and feet.

Cayenne also has essential vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin C, which helps protect you against colds and flu. The fiery pepper is also an excellent source of vitamin A through its concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene is not only a potent antioxidant, but can be converted in the body to vitamin A, a nutrient essential for healthy epithelial tissues-- including the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages, lungs, intestinal tract and urinary tract and serve as the body's first line of defense against invading pathogens.

Studies have shown that Beta-carotene is also helpful in reducing symptoms of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, beta-carotene is an antioxidant which is useful in preventing free radical damage that can lead to atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetic complications, like nerve damage and heart disease.

Another widely studied component in the cayenne pepper is capsaicin. This substance is what lends cayenne pepper its characteristic heat. Research has marveled at its pain-reducing effects, cardiovascular benefits, as well as its ability to help prevent ulcers. Capsaicin also effectively opens and drains congested nasal passages.

With so many health benefits and a low cost, what are you waiting for; add some spice into your life and lose weight with cayenne pepper.

EcoSlim which contains Cayenne pepper, also known as Capsicum minimum, has been traditionally used in herbal medicine as a general circulatory tonic and digestive aid, helping to naturally support the production of gastric juices – a key factor in healthy metabolism.

Do you have a question about natural remedies? Ask our experts!

Weight loss and diets are strong stressors, which add to  daily stress  picture  of many women.

If you have been gaining weight and having difficulty losing the extra pounds, then you may wish to detox for weight loss.

Your body is equipped with several systems to help it detox naturally. Though, today’ s stressful lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits often overburden your natural system.

Your body just cannot keep up with the amount of toxic matter flowing through it. Conventional food such as sugar, sweeteners, meat, dairy, and baked goods have something in common - they all are toxic foods that will to keep you fat, lethargic, and most importantly, unhappy as long as you keep eating them. Not to mention toxic chemical substances.

Toxicity and Acidosis are Serious Problems.

Toxic waste begins to accumulate and the balance of your body is disrupted. The signs of imbalance are visible - you end up being overweight, having little energy, poor digestion and a poor immune system to name just few. If you never cleanse your body and keep eating a poor diet, over the years your body reaches what is know as its “toxic load.”

How 'toxic load' relates to the weight gain?

Click HERE to read.

Weight loss is one of the biggest reasons why women start running.

(I am one of them). But being overweight for many is a very serious stressor.

Running is considered the quickest and most efficient means of weight loss.

As one of the most vigorous exercises out there, running is an extremely efficient for this aim. In fact running helps burn calories, lose fat, and lean your body no matter how much weight you have to lose or even if you've tried everything else in the past!

Running burns about 200 calories per mile for a 150-pound person. Plus - running increases your resting metabolism rate - you will burn calories also them you rest or sleep. Why this -because running also builds muscle mass, your resting metabolism will increase, which means that you'll burn more calories at rest.

More Running Tips For Weight Loss.

If you combine running with a healthy diet , you'll definitely notice a difference in the way you look and feel.

I Recommend:

And Keep You Amazingly Healthy

The concept of eating natural raw foods in their living state makes sense to every kind in the world except for humans. It's also quite funny that we're the only species that struggles with obesity and a contrasting weight obsessed culture.

How many wild animals suffer from obesity (or even other human diseases for that matter)? NONE!

Why?

Reason #1 - Raw Foods are Nutrient Dense

By choosing to eat more raw fruits and vegetables you inevitably bring more vital nutrients into your body. Since your body is receiving more minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients than it's used to, you actually consume less food. It's by eating nutrient-void foods (ie. colas, processed and fast foods, etc...) that your body will constantly seek new foods simply because it's trying to meet its mineral quota.

But here's the irony. Even though you don't have to eat as much food when you eat living raw foods, you can still get away with eating more food without packing on the pounds. Here's why...

Reason #2 - Raw Foods Contain Food Enzymes

Natural living foods are unique because they contain enzymes which facilitate their host's (the food) digestion. When foods are heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit 100% of their enzymes are destroyed - not to mention the majority of their vitamins and minerals as well.

Food enzymes are so powerful because they help digest the foods you eat and help provide the necessary catalysts for every single chemical reaction in the body. For instance, a raw avocado will digest itself inside the body because it contains the enzyme lipase - which breaks down fat. Your body's precious digestive enzymes need not worry. However, if you cook this avocado, then your body is forced to send out its "limited" digestive enzymes to do the work.

Reason #3 - Raw Foods are Water-Rich

Because raw foods are not cooked, their incredible water content is left intact. When foods are cooked, they become dehydrated as their water is "burned" away. As a result, the body is forced to work harder and use its own water to digest the food. This takes more energy and dehydrates your body ads extra stress.

 Related:

Can Eating More Food Mean Losing MoreWeight?

The best weight loss tips include exercising and eating healthy. This will not only help you to lose weight but will also prevent other health problems, increase energy levels and strengthen the immune system. Make a few changes to your diet with these suggestions:

• Include a wide variety of food from all food groups – bread and cereals, vegetables, fruit, milk and dairy, and meat, fish or legumes
• Lower your calorie intake by reducing carbohydrates and sugar.
• Eat smaller portions of food (mini meals) more frequently throughout the day to keep your metabolism up
• Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables
• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to cleanse your body’s system
• Reduce your intake of foods that have a high fat, sugar and salt content
• Limit your intake of alcohol and saturated dietary fats
• Avoid yo-yo and crash dieting

FREE DOWNLOAD: Start Losing Weight in 2 Minutes!

Wouldn't it be great if you could burn more calories when you're just sitting on the couch? You can -- by increasing your metabolism , the rate at which your body uses energy. Here are some simple changes you can make to help speed up your metabolism and help with quick weight loss.

Tip #1 -- Eat breakfast.
Breakfast gets you increase your metabolism by putting it back into burning mode. But if you wait until lunch to eat, your body assumes you're fasting and responds by slowing your metabolism. And remember, if you eat breakfast, you have a greater chance of burning calories (by running, for instance!) since you're consuming them early in the day. My breakfast is a smoothie - nutritional shake : it's easy to prepare, easy to consume and I get all essential macro and micro nutrients I need to perform on the top (not to mention soy isoflavones so important for woman's health) I always add some fresh fruit or berries. Every single morning for already 25 years I take health supplements.

My biological age states 30 even my chronological is 46 - its something to with health supplements :). Read "My Anti aging Bible."

Tip #2 -- Drink Green Tea.
Green tea has been shown to boost metabolism. Researchers believe that antioxidants in green tea can cause the body to waste calories as heat, which increases caloric burning and increase your metabolism.

Tip #3 -- Eat frequently/ Don't Skip Meals.
Our bodies have a built-in survival mechanism to conserve calories when we go for a long period of time without eating. So, when you skip meals, your body slows your metabolism to prevent you from starving. To avoid this, try to eat five to six small meals each day, or three meals and some healthy snacks in between.

Tip #4 - Eat more lean protein.
A recent Dutch study found that consuming a third of your daily calories from protein can increase metabolism. So, incorporate in your daily meals those foods that speed up metabolism. Our bodies have to work hard to digest the foods we eat, and your metabolism boosts in response. Of course, don't take that to mean that you should switch to a high-protein diet, since carbs are the main source of energy for runners. But try to incorporate lean protein into most meals.

Tip #5 -- Eat more raw foods.
Raw living foods are rich in enzymes. These enzymes are essential for every single metabolic reaction in your body. The more enzymes you can acquire from food, the less stress you impose on your digestive system, the more energy you'll feel, and the more you increase your metabolic fat-burning engine!

Tip #6 -- Build Lean Body Mass.
The more lean muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn, even while resting. As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, so it's important to work at building it. Even doing resistance or weight training just twice a week can make a big difference. And, ladies, don't worry -- regular strength training will make you look toned, not bulked-up.

Tip #7 -- Move as much as possible.
Research from the Mayo Clinic shows that people who fidget and move around a lot, even if they don't formally exercise, have more active metabolisms and burn more calories than nonfidgeters. If you have a desk job, do leg lifts as you sit at your desk or take frequent breaks to walk around.

Tip #8 -- Get enough sleep.

Inadequate sleep may affect your weight -- not only because you'll be too tired to exercise but also because tiredness may lead to snacking as a "pick-me-up." Sleepless? Relax- with calming music.

Recommended:

Natural Products for Weight Management and Metabolism