Everyone knows what needs to be done to stay healthy.  It is something that we hear on a daily basis – exercise, diet, eat healthy foods, don’t drink or smoke and the list goes on…

Today I will simply share 3 tips you can apply to your life today that will help you make a change.

• Water – substitute water for regular soda or juice..if you do this at least once a day for an entire year, you will cut out 127 cups of sugar and over 90,000 calories from your diet!

• Take deep breathes – By simply taking a deep breathe for 5 minutes, it may actually lower your blood pressure.  The deep breathing will relax the body, which will reduce the blood pressure.

• Reorganize your pantry – Sounds silly but it works! Let’s face it we all have some sort of processed food items in our pantry.  Placing the processed food in the back and moving the canned vegetables and whole grains to the front, where they are more visible, your eye will see the healthy choices first.

Try implementing these 3 simple tips and you will see healthy changes occurring right before your eyes.

When you hear the word ‘massage’, what do you think of?  Relaxing, expensive, time consuming?  Massage does not have to be any of those and actually can be a stress and pain reliever.  Massage can actually reduce stress in many individuals and promote health and healing.  There are simple techniques that can be used to relieve stress but let’s look a little further into massage and what it entails.

Several different types of massage exist.  Many people can perform massages, from licensed massage therapists, to physical therapists or occupational therapists.  During a massage the therapists will handle your body’s soft tissues, muscles, joints, tendons with his hands, fingertips and in some cases his fists.  The entire intention of a massage is to make you feel more relaxed and reduced any tension or stress that may be contained in your muscles and entire body.  If performed correctly a massage will not hurt but will actually put your body in a sense of ease and tranquility.

Massage can relieve stress, relieve sore muscles and at times reduce pain within your body.  It has also shown to release the pain and increase the body’s ability to heal itself by boosting the immune system.

Research has found many positive affects of massage on the body and the individual as a whole.  Studies are constantly performed to learn the different attributes massage has and below are some ailments that have benefited from massage.

• Pain reduction – Studies have shown that pain has been reduced, especially in those suffering from migraines, fibromyalgia ( pain in the connective tissues),  recent surgeries and back pain.  More studies are being performed in the back pain area, but many have experienced relief after massages.

• Anxiety – Studies have shown anxiety levels to be decreased in those suffering from anxiety. The studies were performed on children and anorexic women with great results.  Studies were also performed on individuals who recently quit smoking and massage helped with the anxiety related to that.

• Labor/Delivery – During child labor a woman’s muscles tense up and intensify the labor pains. Massage reduces the muscle strain, in turn relaxing the woman and decreasing the intensity of pain associated with labor and delivery.

• Infant growth – Studies have shown positive results for infants that are born prematurely.  Massage helps the infants relax and cope with stressors involved in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

• Immune System – The immune system has been shown to increase with massage, helping the individual tackle illnesses.  A study performed on people with HIV, showed and increase in the number of killer cells, which are thought to defend the body from cancer and viral cells.

• Self-esteem – The self-image of people with disabilities and terminal illness has been shown to increase after massage therapy. Massage therapy being a hands-on type of procedure, makes these people feel cared for and attended to.  The self-image is increased because of the caring touch and time devoted to each individual.

Although it is highly suggested to visit a licensed massage therapist, there are simple massage techniques you can do alone or with a partner.  Self-massage is not difficult and can be done anywhere.  Taking a second to a couple of minutes to provide relaxation to your muscles can work wonders.  To give yourself a massage, all you need to do is rub little circles gently across the area being massaged.  Some areas that can be self-massaged are sore and achy muscles of arms and legs, forehead, neck, shoulders, feet and hands.  Next time you are feeling stressed, try the self-massage technique for a relaxing moment and break in your busy schedule.

If doing massage with a partner be sure to find a relaxing and quiet atmosphere and a comfortable chair.  Seated massages can be very relaxing and stress relieving if done properly.  There are some different techniques that can be done such as,

• Effleurage – where you start by moving both hands over the back in a heart shaped motion.

• Petrissage – here you will place your hands on the top of the shoulders, life the muscle upward away from the bone and lightly squeeze, then slowly release.

• Friction – using your thumbs perform circular movements along the spine, but making sure not to touch the spine itself.

• Tapotement – here you will cup your palms and strike rapidly on the back, going above the shoulder blades and on each side of the spine.  Be sure not to hit the spine or shoulder blades directly.  This will then be followed with light effleurage as described above.

As with anything else, there may also be risks associated with massage therapy and massage therapy may not be for everyone.  Some massage may be dangerous for individuals and it is important to consult your doctor before making an appointment.  Some people who may have difficulties are those who may have experienced but not limited to:

• Recent heart attack
• Those with open wounds or sores
• Unhealed fractures
• Cancer – avoid pressure in the area of tumor
• Severe osteoporosis
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis in area being massaged

Massage that is done correctly by a licensed massage therapist will rarely lead to injuries.  It is important to inquire of the massage therapist qualifications because many states now require licensure.  Be sure to ask question to put your mind at ease.  Massage can relieve pain and stress if done correctly and in an atmosphere of relaxation.  Next time you feel a headache or are experiencing a rather large amount of stress, reach out for a licensed massage therapist to ease away your worries and concerns.

Until next time,

By now everyone has heard the ever trendy word – ‘antioxidants’.  We have also heard all the benefits that antioxidants have.  Mainly antioxidants combat the free radicals that deteriorate our bodies.

Antioxidants are essential to build the immune system which is the main system in our body that fights disease.  You will find antioxidants in the infamous ‘acai berry’ as well as blueberries, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, strawberries, and the list goes on.

However, Enlyten has developed quite a unique method of inducing the powerful antioxidants that will fit in your pocket.  The product I am speaking about are Enlyten strips.  There are several products, but the one I will be focusing on here is the antioxidant strips.

The main reason this concept is very interesting is because of the delivery of the product.  The Enlyten strips dissolve on your tongue, the ingredients are absorbed through the buccal mucosa (between the cheek and gum) and the GI tract.  The absorption of this product is very rapid mainly because of the mucosa’s involvement.  There are many products on the market today but all are ingested and must be absorbed by the GI tract alone.

I was very curious when I received this product.  My family eats very healthy and nutritious food, but we are always open to interesting yet nutritious products.  As a parent, I was interested in getting the reaction of my children after they tried the strips for the first time.

The antioxidant are berry flavored and actually have a tartness to them.  The best way I can describe them are to a ’sweet tart’ candy, only more nutritious, of course.  The strips contain zero carbohydrates, zero sugar and zero calories.  The strips were very well received in my household which is a plus in our home.  My children like many out there are very picky and of course will not take any type of medication, so ingesting this product was a welcoming treat.

I was very impressed with this product.  No juices to ingest or berries to eat, one to three strips is all that is needed to ingest antioxidants into your system.

The only thing I would have liked to know was the amount of antioxidant we were ingesting with each strip.  I am sure Enlyten will add those values soon and if not they should consider doing so.

Besides that minor element I enjoyed the product and appreciate the opportunity to review.  You can visit the following site to view the other products available.

Until next time,

Joint pain is not something that is pleasant.  It is actually one of the primary consequences of arthritis.  Did you know that arthritis actually refers to more than 100 different diseases which affect areas around the joints?

Regardless of the type of arthritis pain that you may encounter, two things are fairly consistent:

• The pain experienced is an ongoing issue
• Drugs are usually the method of treatment

Instead of relying on drugs that more often than not, are accompanied with adverse reactions and side effects – consider the natural approach to ease the discomfort and pain.

Below I will share a few alternatives but for more information be sure to visit : http://arthritis.org

• Nutritious Foods – Amazing that what you eat can play an important role in reducing the pain associated with arthritis.  Some foods can actually make the pain more intense.  Some individuals suffering from arthritis pain find relief when eating nutritious, well balanced diets that include fruits, vegetables, oily fish and whole grains.  Some individuals have experienced arthritis pain or flare-ups when consuming simple carbohydrates and fatty foods.  Some specific foods that may help are, bananas, soy products and sweet peppers.

• Activity – It is known that regular exercise helps to strengthen muscles around joints and also increase flexibility which helps with fatigue.  But actually any movement will help, in particularly range of motion exercises seem to reduce joint stiffness and pain.  The type of arthritis and the level of the joint pain will determine the type of exercise that will be best in alleviating pain and stiffness.

• Body Mechanics – In order to reduce  or minimize the stress on your joints throughout the day it is important to maintain good posture.  Body positioning during your everyday movements can effect the joints causing stress and resulting in pain.  Some tips to remember are to bend at the knees when picking up items and be sure that your work space provides sufficient support for your neck, back, forearms and upper legs.

Keeping these simple tips in mind will help to relieve your arthritis pain without the side-effects brought on by drugs.

Until next time,

** A special thank you to Jackie Silver for contributing this article.

When the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon set out to find the Fountain of Youth he found Florida instead. He wasn’t the first to look for healing waters that could restore youth, either. The legend goes as far back as the time of Alexander the Great, who was reputed to have searched for such waters in eastern Asia. Today, we’re still searching for the magic fountain or pill that will keep us young forever. While there is no “magic” involved, there are ways to look and feel much younger than your chronological age. Almost daily, news reports recount the results of new research covering all aspects of anti-aging, from advancements in lasers and skin creams that stimulate collagen to revolutionary discoveries for weight loss or the latest injectables that claim to take years off a person’s face. The rapid rate of advancements and the sheer number of new inventions are enough to confuse the average consumer. Here are some tips that almost anyone can use to start making changes that can lead to a healthier, more youthful and vibrant look.

Aging Backwards Tips:

• Exercise is the Fountain of Youth. Trick yourself into working out by dancing or doing JumpSnap with your kids. You’ll have so much fun you’ll forget it’s good for you.

• Skip the fashion fads. Instead, try dressing in more simple colors and styles. Use accessories such as scarves, jewelry, belts and the latest shoe and purse styles to add pizzazz to your wardrobe.

• Try a virtual makeover absolutely free. TAAZ.com is realistic and fun. You can upload your own photo and try on all kinds of makeup and celebrity hairstyles with just the click of a mouse. Try on foundation, lipstick, blush, eye shadow, mascara and more, thin your eyebrows and plump your lips, shape the hairstyle you picked and change hair color too.

• Smile. The muscles used to smile lift the face and make a person appear younger. There are other benefits to smiling that go beyond looks. Research has shown that smiling, even fake-smiling, can lower stress levels, which in turn can lower blood pressure and boost the immune system. Studies have also revealed that smiling and laughing releases endorphins and serotonin, two chemicals that make us feel good.

• Hands can show age. Volunteers shown photos of hands without nail polish and jewelry thought the same hands looked younger with polish and bling. Add some tinted SPF 15 or higher to hide blue veins and imperfections and you’ve got instantly younger hands.

Looking younger doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. Making just a few small changes can lead to big results.

Jackie Silver is the founder and president of Aging Backwards, LLC and author of “Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young.”  (http://budurl.com/kdzv).

Follow her on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/AgingBackwards
http://youtube.com/agingbackwards