Every winter up to 20 percent of the US population suffers from symptoms so debilitating that productivity and motivation suffer. Symptoms such as moodiness, fatigue, anxiety, appetite changes, and hopelessness are more than the winter blues.

Rather they make up Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD symptoms generally start out mild in early fall and progress to become more severe as winter approaches. Many people find their symptoms are most severe right after the holiday season.

SAD is a clinically recognized disorder. Women are usually affected more than men but it is not a discriminatory disorder. It is suspected that SAD occurs because the reduced exposure to light during winter months interrupts normal circadian rhythm and disturbs sleep, appetite, and mood.

Since we can’t change the patterns of the sun, how can we overcome seasonal affective disorder?

There are medications available to help you deal with SAD. But before you resort to pharmaceuticals, consider some of these easy ways to cope using GLAD:

G- Get Away: Plan your winter vacation to a sunny place. Consider Florida or the Bahamas instead of Minnesota!
L- Light Therapy: Light therapy is said to be the most effective treatment. Although the sunlight is simulated, the body responds similarly by producing energizing hormones. This is done under the supervision of a therapist. It’s also recommended that you get outside on sunny days!
A- Activites That You Enjoy: Whether you enjoy reading novels, cross country skiing, visiting friends, or writing in your journal, the activities you enjoy can improve your mood so take 15 minutes a day for yourself!
D- Do Exercise: It can be tough to get the motivation to exercise but it’s even more essential when you’re feeling down. Exercise reduces stress, improves your immune system, and releases endorphins that boost mood. Even just a light workout can do wonders for your emotional health!

Although SAD is generally associated with the winter months, it does affect some people during summer. So keep these easy tips in mind and be GLAD that winter always comes to an end!

After wasting wads of hard-earned cash, we realize that the number on the scale hasn’t budged.

There’s a better way to lose weight than paying for the latest fad. Rather, you can use tools in your own home to propel you towards weight loss for free!

Free Exercise Plan

Working with a personal trainer can keep you motivated even when you can’t bear the thought of another rep of bicep curls! But personal trainers are expensive.

To get the benefits of a personal trainer without the price tag, consider websites like SparkPeople.com. There are also tons of apps for your phone that create workout plans for free or a minimal fee.

Pennies Pinched: $7,800 per year!
(3 sessions per week at $50 (minimum) per session)

Workout Equipment That Costs You Nothing

Paying for a gym membership is a rather expensive way to lose weight especially since most people do not even use their membership! Some gyms have started charging only if you don’t go to the gym in an effort to encourage people to work out.

If you don’t want to pay for a membership or drive to the gym, look around your house for common items that can be used to give you a good workout.

• Dumbbells: especially when you are first starting a workout routine you don’t need a full set of free weights. Try using canned food when you perform bicep curls or buckets full of rocks.
• Treadmill: rather than aimlessly running on a treadmill, consider taking your workout outdoors. You get fresh air and it doesn’t require special equipment!
• Body Weight: some of the best workouts require absolutely no equipment. Instead they use your body weight and gravity to create resistance. Some common exercises are pushups, squats, and lunges.

Pennies Pinched: $510 per year
(assuming $150 initial set-up fee and $30 monthly fee)

Leave Behind the Pricey Meal Plans

This one takes a bit more commitment on your part. Paying for a meal plan (like NutriSystem or Jenni Craig) is convenient but most of these pre-packaged meals are loaded with salt and don’t even taste that great!

Instead you can prepare simple, healthy meals that save you money and fill you up. Cooking a pot of rice on Sunday, for example, costs just pennies and can be used as the base for many inexpensive meals throughout the week like stir-frys or soups.

Nearly every dish you love can be prepared healthfully. Take advantage of the vast resources available on the internet for simple substitutions. We like to use greek yogurt instead of sour cream in dishes like beef stroganoff. You still get the rich, creamy flavor of sour cream but without all the extra calories!

Pennies Pinched: $3,600 per year
(assuming $200 per month grocery budget compared to $500 per month meal delivery plan)

No More Excuses!

Making simple swaps in your routine can save you significant amounts of money in the course of a year. Just giving up the personal trainer, gym membership, and meal plan can save you nearly $12,000 per year!

That’s more than enough for a new wardrobe and a beach vacation to show off your new body!

Losing weight does not have to cost a lot. So stop using that as an excuse to skip yet another workout! Instead, incorporate these tips in your lifestyle to lose weight effortlessly.

If you have tried any of these tips or have additional ideas for how to lose weight for free, we would love to hear from you!

I tend to look at New Year’s resolutions like fad diets–everyone participates at some point. Much like you drink only lemonade for a week then crash and burn and binge on donuts the next, you sit around the table comparing and sharing then the first week of January roles around and you find yourself at the gym twice a day, walking the dog, preparing meals for the entire week, not yelling at your family, reading the classics, and buying a wrinkle cream.

Then the second week of January roles around, you crash, and you find yourself in the McDonald’s drive through on the way to marriage counseling.

Let’s make this year different by setting New Year’s resolutions that are not only realistic, but attainable as we venture into 2012.

1. Set Reachable Weight Loss Goals

It’s fairly typical to put on 3-7 pounds around the holidays but it’s important to remember that those pounds were gained over 2 months, they’re not going to magically come off over the next week. Losing 1 pound per week is incredibly realistic and can be achieved by cutting 3500 calories from your diet. You can do this by skipping dessert 3 nights this week, passing on the toast and juice at breakfast and instead reaching for the oatmeal and egg whites, and by not snacking after dinner.

By making small and simple lifestyle changes, the weight will not only come off, but stay off. One pound a week maybe not seem like a lofty goal, but after 2 months you can lose 8 pounds and people will begin to notice.

2. Set Specific Work out Times and Methods

It’s difficult to say “I’m going to workout 4 days this week” because by Wednesday you still have those left but when Thursday rolls around and you don’t have the energy to hit the gym, you feel like you might as well not even bother this week.

Instead, try picking a class that you attend weekly and no matter what comes up, you always make time for that class. Whether it’s zumba at 7:30 on Tuesdays or a workout video that you always do at 8am on Fridays, pick a date, a time, and a mode of exercise and you’ll find your motivation increase as the practice becomes a habit.

This year, look up the class schedule at your gym or community center and pick one you’ve never tried before. It’s ok if you start out slow and can’t do everything the instructor tells you to (much like me in body pump), everyone there was in your place at one point and you’ll be surprised how quickly your body adapts and is able to keep up with the best.

3. Pick a Food you’re Going to Forgo

Instead of saying “I’m not going to eat sugar this entire year” (which will make you more grumpy that it’s worth), say “I’m going to stay away from Donuts until next January. Cutting out a specific food and sticking to that goal will help you feel empowered and confident when placed in the situation again (even when donuts are the only food provided at your breakfast work meeting, tell yourself you can have a piece of chocolate after dinner instead).

Even if you don’t find yourself faced with the food daily, the avoidance will do more for your sense of self-discipline than for your waist-line and will give you the confidence you need to stick to a health conscious diet as the year progresses.

Happy New Year!

With these tips in mind that can essentially be applied to any resolution:

1. Set realistic goals
2. Make a plan
3. Choose one thing to focus on at a time

Not only will you have your New Year’s resolutions in the bag, you’ll be able to keep them there until the next round of resolutions rolls around.

By the time January 1st rolls around, you’re going to work in sweat pants because your skirts and slacks no longer fit. It doesn’t have to be this way though, you don’t have to wait until January to make promises of health eating and regular exercise to yourself.

The following list are 5 of the best, fail-proof tips that won’t fill your New Year’s resolutions full of regrets from bad behavior the previous year.

1. Choose ONE Dessert

Parties and events are always filled with holiday treat choices. You can choose from frost sugar cookies, pies, fruit cakes etc. but even a “small” slice of each is going to add up when you step on that scale tomorrow. Don’t fool yourself, you won’t be missing out if you don’t sample every option that is offered after every meal or event. Instead, choose one dessert, bring it back to your place and enjoy it slowly. Also, don’t be tempted to bring home treats for later. Leave the treats at the part where they belong.

2. Don’t Feel like you HAVE to Bake

One of the biggest mistakes people (and mostly women) fall into around the holidays is that it won’t be Christmas, or Channukah, or Kwanza etc. without the heart-felt aroma of baked goods. So you hang up the stockings and head to the kitchen where you spend hours sculpting christmas trees out of fudge and dying frosting red and green only to have it sit on your counter and be occasionally picked at by spouses, kids, and room mates. Again, don’t kid yourself, who ends up eating all of those baked goods? You do. Yes, baking can be an important part of the holiday season but don’t make treats unless you’re bringing them to an event where you’ll know they’ll be eaten (or if they’re not, secretly leave them with the host–hey, it’s their waistline, not yours).

3. Drink WATER

This is the best weight loss tip even outside the holiday season but it especially applies to this time where our salt and sugar consumption may be a little higher than usual. Aside from keeping us hydrated and our bodies functioning at a high level, water makes us feel full and the more we drink, the easier it will be to battle food cravings. Additionally, the colder (or hotter) the water (or tea) is, the harder the body has to work to bring the liquid to room temperature and the more calories you burn. ALWAYS carry a water bottle with you. This is a habit of all thin people.

4. Carry a Drink at PARTIES

If you’re trying to avoid weight gain it’s best not to carry around an alcoholic beverage but it’s important that you always have a drink in your hand. This way, you can sip on it when you get bored (instead of heading over to the food table) and because one of your hands will always be occupied, you’ll have fewer hands to be grabbing food with.

5. Don’t JUSTIFY overeating

If you’re truly committed to maintaining (or even losing) weight over the holidays, you won’t let yourself justify your way into eating an entire can of gingerbread cookies or an entire pint of egg-nog ice cream. Again, yes, food is an important part of any holiday celebration but don’t you want to celebrate a good figure along with the holiday?

You Can Do it

All you need to do it think ahead before going out to parties and events and make small commitments to yourself about how much you’re actually going to eat. Enjoy a holiday cookie here and there but don’t use the holidays as an excuse to overindulge.

However, there are so many healthy alternatives to the sugary goodness that we fall victim to during the holidays and we’ve compiled a list of our favorite “healthy holiday cookie” recipes so you can “indulge” without feeling the guilt come January.

Apricot Almond Sandwich Cookies

You’ll need:
3/4 cup whole almonds
1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour, (see Note)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling & glaze

1/3 cup apricot preserves
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, or 3 1/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon low-fat milk
1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup

Directions:
1. To prepare cookies: Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat (see Tip).
2. Process almonds in a blender in 2 batches until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and add flour, 1/2 cup butter, sugar and salt. Knead the mixture with your hands until well blended. (The dough will be dry.) Gather the dough into a ball; divide it into 2 portions.
3. Working with one portion at a time, roll the dough between 2 sheets of parchment or wax paper until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out cookies using a 2-inch circular cookie cutter. Using a metal spatula, place them 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. (If you like, cut out the centers of half the cookies using a 1-inch cutter.) Gather the scraps, reroll and continue cutting out cookies until the dough is gone. Repeat with the second portion of dough.
4. Bake the cookies, one batch at a time, until puffed and beginning to color, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. To fill & glaze cookies: Spread preserves on half the cookies; top with the remaining cookies to make sandwiches.
Melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter in a double boiler over hot water. Remove from the heat; stir in milk and corn syrup until smooth. Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper. Dip each sandwich cookie halfway into the chocolate, then place on the wax paper. When all the cookies are dipped, refrigerate until the chocolate has set, 20 to 30 minutes.

Calories: 125 per cookie

Peanut Butter Date Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces pitted dates, chopped
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped

Drizzle

8 ounces white chocolate chips, (see Tip)
1 tablespoon canola oil

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Beat brown sugar, butter, peanut butter and cinnamon in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; beat until well mixed, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Stir in dates and walnuts. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour before baking.
3. Use a small scoop (1 3/8- to 1 1/2-inch) and drop balls of dough 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. (If you do not have a scoop, shape the dough by hand into 1- to 1 1/4-inch balls.) Gently press each ball to flatten slightly.
4. Bake the cookies until the edges are lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. To decorate: Place white chocolate and oil in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on Medium, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. To drizzle, dip a fork in the chocolate then wave it over a cookie to create a lacy finish (see Variations). Let the chocolate set for at least 1 hour. Variations: Instead of drizzling, dip the top side of the cooled cookies in melted white or dark chocolate and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Calories: 114 per cookie

Give these as gifts and bring them to your neighbors, they’ll thank you when New Year’s Resolutions roll around. For more recipes like these, click here!

Spices can act as natural remedies for minor ailments such as the common cold and headaches to having more long-term effects like fighting cancer and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 of the healthiest spices that are easily obtained and can make most recipes taste great!

Sage

Sage is believed to aid in memory retention and soothes sore throats.

This spice goes well with squash, pasley, rosemary, thyme, and walnuts or can be mixed into a tea to calm an upset stomach or aching throat. Sage assists in memory retention because research has shown that it inhibits a particular enzyme from destroying acetylcholine, a chemical involved in the functions of memory and learning.

Tumeric

Tumeric is believed to calm inflammation and inhibit the formation of systs and tumors.

Native to India, this spice goes well with garlic, citrus, and is especially tasty in curries. As a traditional remedy used in India, people would apply a tumeric paste to wounds to reduce swelling and increase the rate of healing. Tumeric paste can also be used to sooth infections of the eyes and skin as it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is thus able to reduce irritation and get rid of infection-causing irritants.

Rosemary

This spice is said to be able to enhance mental focus, and fight foodborne bacteria to avoid the occurance of food poisoning.

Rosemary pairs will with potatoes, citrus, honey and garlic and has been used in traditional medicine to help users focus for studying. Tests have proven that students do better on tests when rosemary mists were sprayed in their workspace. As another powerful antioxidant ingredient, rosemary has the ability to kill harmful bacteria and can prevent meat from spoiling quickly.

Ginger

Ginger can be used to sooth an upset stomach and remedy arthritis pain.

Ginger goes will with soy sauce, citrus, and garlic and is often used in Eastern dishes. Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds that help to reduce arthritis pain by removing free-radicals that often cause irritation and swelling in the joints. Ginger also soothes stomach problems associated with morning sickness, motion sickness, and nausea because it is believed to have a calming effect on the body. Ginger tea has long been used as a natural remedy for stomach issues and can either be made at home or bought inexpensively at a whole foods location.

Cayenne

Cayenne boosts the metabolism and increases calorie burn.

Derived from red hot chili peppers, cayenne can be paired with ginger, chocolate, beans, and beef for a rich, spicy, flavorful taste. Cayenne contains a substance called “calsaicin” that increases thermogenic (fat burning) activity in the body. Cayenne is believed to be able to increase the metabolism and therefore a person’s calorie burn for several hours after consumption.

Conclusion

Each of these spices can be purchased at your local grocery store and make a great addition to any dish, whether it’s lacking in flavor or not. Cooking with spices regularly is the perfect way to make a small lifestyle change that will impact your health 20 years into the future.

What is the 28 Day Cleanse?

The 28 day cleanse is a 4 week program of diet, supplementation, and cleansing that:

• helps rid your body of harmful toxins
• increases your energy
• clears your skin
• helps you lose unwanted weight
• improves digestion, yeast presence, and bloating
• makes you feel cleaner and healthier than ever before

Through a regimented diet and daily supplementation you can transform your health and body and more importantly, develop sustainable habits that will allow you to see the results of the cleanse well into the future.

What Does the Program Involve?

The 28 Day Cleanse diet involves cutting out:

• gluten (a wheat protein found in flour, bread, pasta, pastries, etc )
• added sugar (sorry, no cookies for a month!)
• dairy
• red meat
• soy
• processed food

This may seem extreme, but the 28 day program comes with a guide, recipes, and grocery lists of so many food you CAN eat. When I was on the cleanse earlier this year, I stocked up weekly on fresh fruit and vegetables, brown rice, chicken breasts, salmon, and tilapia, almonds, walnuts, almond butter, brown rice tortillas, eggs, and a plant-derived protein powder.

What do Meals Look like on the 28 Day Cleanse?

For breakfast, you can have steel-cut oats, egg whites, gluten-free toast, or do what I did and have a protein shake. I feel like protein shakes are the best idea while on the cleanse because you can combine so many different fruits, veggies, and grains into your shakes. My shakes typically consisted of 2 scoops of chocolate, veggie protein, 1 cup kale, frozen blueberries, the 28 day lemon omega 3 syrup, and either almond milk or almond butter to stave off hunger with a healthy fat. Meals like this typically keep you feeling full for 4+ hours.

As a mid-morning snack, you can have a handful of almonds or walnuts, fresh fruit, a brown-rice tortilla with almond butter, carrots with fresh salsa, etc. the possibilities are truly endless.

For lunch, quinoa and vegetables are a good choice, or egg whites and a brown-rice tortilla, or chicken and brown rice, or even another protein shake (during the 4th week of the cleanse, you should be drinking 2 shakes per day).

For Dinner, chicken or fish with brown rice and veggies is a staple, you can do a brown-rice bowl with black beans, tomato, lettuce, and avocado. You can cook gluten-free pasta and make a fresh tomato sauce, sweet potatoes are good choices, as well as quinoa again with vegetables.

Because you are a bit hungrier during the day as you’re not filling yourself up with processed foods, you tend to eat dinner earlier. While cleansing, the most effective meal timing is to go to bed within 2 or 3 hours of dinner for for those night-owls out there like me, drinking herbal tea with a natural sweetener like stevia helps to fend off the food cravings or cravings for sweets that so many of us fall victim to.

28 Days to Health Supplements

Alongside a completely clean diet, the 28 Days to Health program also offers an array of supplements to help you get the absolute most out of your cleansing experience.

The supplements I used while on the cleanse were:

ultra body cleanse functional food- This powder I simply added to my protein shakes during the 3rd and 4th week of the cleanse. The functional food supplement is a powerful liver detoxifier that helps turn insoluble toxins into soluble ones so they can be expelled easier.

ultra body cleanse capsules- These babies don’t smell too great but they make you feel great. You can take 2-4 capsules 2-3 times daily and they encourage the detoxification process by containing ingredients like milk thistle and broccoli extract.

ultra body greens- again, these don’t taste the best but they are great for when you’re starting to feel hungry but aren’t quite ready for a meal and they skyrocket your energy because they’re filled with essential nutrients. Just mix 2 teaspoons of the greens powder in with your water bottle and sip it throughout the day.

Other supplements from this line include: ultra body omega, ultra body fiber, and ultra body move. One or all of these supplements can be taken in conjunction with your clean diet to experience the absolute most from your cleanse.

The Ultimate Way to a Healthier Life

The 28 Days to Health cleansing program is by no means a walk in the park, but rather a strenuous hike to a well-worth-it view. While in the thick of the cleanse it can be difficult to see the end, but once completed, you’ll feel and look better than ever, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll achieve from completing something difficult will be unmatched.

28 Days to Health allows myself and similar users to lose weight, clear the skin, improve digestion, and increase energy. Better yet however, are the lessons in health you’ll learn as you see first hand the incredible benefits that can come from eating a clean, natural diet.

To learn more about the 28 Days to Health cleansing plan, click here!

By making minor lifestyle changes while you’re young (or even if you’re “not so young”) you can live a life full of movement, mental clarity, and good health. The following is a list of small changes you can make now that you’ll be glad you made 20 years from now.

Be Healthy, Happy, and Wise

1. Drink More Water- Not only does water keep you hydrated but it flushes harmful toxins from your body that may be causing symptoms like fatigue, skin problems, muscle soreness, and indigestion.

2. Be Active- Even if you can’t make it to the gym every day that doesn’t mean you can’t take a little extra time each day to fit in some activity. Take the stairs, park at the far end of the parking lot, take a walk on your lunch break, come home and vacuum or do the dishes instead of sitting in front of the TV right away. Recommended activity is at least 30 minutes 3-5 times per week to maintain good cardiovascular health and muscle definition.

3. Get Enough Sleep- Put the work, the book, the homework, the computer, etc. down, turn off the light, and go to sleep. Whatever you stay up late doing would be done much better if you woke up early the next morning to do it instead. 8 hours of sleep is recommended so you can get a full cycle in. If you sleep more you’ll be just as groggy as if you slept less because you’re interrupting a sleep cycle either way.

4.Stretch- Most people don’t associate flexibility with health but trust me, the two go hand in hand. The more flexible you are the greater your range of motion will be and the less often you’ll get hurt doing simple daily tasks. Flexibility will also help your body as you age be able to retain its mobility.

5. Eat More Meals at Home- The more natural, unprocessed foods you consume, the happier your body will be. Pre-packaged, overly-processed, and fast-foods contain chemicals and toxins that you don’t want in your body. Try cooking at home at least 5 nights a week and use fresh produce, whole grains, and lean meat.

6.Increase your Protein Intake- Protein isn’t only for the super-ripped body builder, everyone should increase their protein intake whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, etc. Protein can be found in lean meat, fish, nuts, grains like quinoa, beans etc. and helps your body build and maintain lean muscle, keeps you feeling full for longer, and should be added as a staple to every meal.

7. Set Physical Goals- Whether you’re a marathoner or a dog-walker, it’s always good to set physical goals. Sign up for a race and train for it (it can be a 5k and you can take an hour to finish it but the point it so get out and accomplish something that’s hard). Not only will your body and heart thank you for the physical activity, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to set and accomplish goals!

8.Be a Picky Eater- No, you don’t have to eat everything that’s on your plate. If you don’t like something, don’t eat it, especially if it will make you uncomfortable full.

9.Surround Yourself with Positive People- By keeping friends who have a positive outlook on life, it will encourage you to always search for the silver lining. Surrounding yourself with negative individuals who are constantly criticizing, critiquing, and gossiping will drain you mentally and emotionally.

10.Strength Train- Again, lifting weights and drinking protein aren’t only for the body builders. Strength training not only builds lean muscle mass which looks good, burns fat, and supports your bone structure. Strength training is especially important as you age because you begin to lose muscle mass as an increasing rate after the age of 40.

11.Turn off the TV- Limit your TV time to one show or movie, every other day. You’ll be surprised at how many productive things you can get done if you’re up and active instead of sitting in front of the TV for hours on end.

12. Spend more time outside- Studies have shown that spending time out in the sun can positively effect your mood and well-being. Soak up the Vitamin D by reading, exercising, and gardening outside, but remember, remember to always wear sunscreen!

13.Find an Exercise Partner- Whether its a friend, spouse, or child, find a workout partner. Exercising with someone else helps you be accountable for your workouts, helps you stay motivated, and gives you company while you go for walks, pump iron, or cycle etc.

14.Eat Rather than Supplement- Although there are several supplements on the current market that can greatly benefit your health, supplements never take the place of real nutrients. Focus on getting 5 servings of fruits and veggies daily and your need for a multi-vitamin will decrease dramatically.

15. Switch the Coffee for Green Tea- Not only is coffee addictive, highly caffeinated, and teeth-staining, it can also be an expensive habit to support. By switching to green tea, you’ll naturally detoxify your body, boost your energy, and support a healthy metabolism.

Form Habits

Research has shown that it takes 21 days to form a habit and the rest is smooth sailing. Pick 1, 5, or all of these tips and suggestions for healthy living and in 20 years, you’ll be glad you did.

For those readers who are regular runners you can say an “amen, hallelujah” to the health benefits of running, and to help those of you who don’t YET consider yourselves runners (but hopefully will soon) these next easy steps will get you out and running before you can even shoot a death-stare at your running shoes buried deep within the closet.

All Runners Began as “Non-Runners”

We’ve heard it all before: “My body just wasn’t designed to run”, “running hurts”, “I’m not in shape”, etc. etc. etc.

In order to gain some perspective, remember that all runners whether a morning jogger or a competitive marathoner had their first day of running, and their second, and their third, and their fourth. There was a day when they laced up their tennis shoes and hit the pavement and continued hitting that pavement after “it hurt,” or they didn’t feel they were in shape, or didn’t believe their bodies were made to run.

Let today be your day 1: start out slow. Take a jog around the block, break a sweat, then come home and set a time for the next time you’re going to run around the block, but this time, run around 2 blocks.

Set Goals

Improving any talent, hobby, or skill takes time and always progresses faster if you set goals first. If you’re already a runner, set a “days per week” goal, if you’re shooting for speed, sign up for a race, set a goal for your finish time, and then train (good race training programs can be found here)

If you’re not already a runner, still set a days per week goal (a good starting point is 2-3 times per week to give your body time to adjust to muscle soreness and fatigue) but don’t set time goals until you’re really ready to push yourself.

Wear the Right Gear

Running is going to be uncomfortable for anyone if they’re not doing it in the right clothing. Jeans, a button-up and vans are probably not the best running attire. You don’t have to look flashy or spend lots of money, but you do need to wear weather-appropriate attire to get the absolute most out of your run.

For warm weather:
women should wear light-weight shorts that aren’t too tight and a cotton t-shirt, tank-top, or running shirt
men should wear similar attire but make sure your shorts have a draw string or a tight-enough waist band that you’re not pulling them up every minute

For cold weather:
Cold weather attire is especially important for those running in the winter (or even in the snow!). Running tights happen to be the best invention for both men and women and are relatively inexpensive. Often they’re black, water resistant on the outside, and flannel on the inside. Aside from the comfort factor, running tights will keep you as warm or as cool as you’d like to be. They’ll also keep you dry if you’re running in the rain or snow.

You also need a good, light weight, water-resistance jacket. This way you can tie it around your waste if you get too warm. Also keep in mind head wear. Again, headbands that cover your ears can be found relatively inexpensively or light, fitted hats like beanies or knit caps work well too.

Shoes: Shoes are probably the most important part of your gear, no matter the weather. Because every foot is different and most people have different running styles it is difficult to recommend a specific shoe. Just remember to try both shoes on in the store and take a lap around the perimeter. The shoe should feel light weight and should NOT scrunch your toes at all. It is recommended that you have two pairs of running shoes (especially if you’re running daily) in order to let the shoes decompress in between wears.

Ready, Set, Go

Now that you’ve read about the benefits, set personal goals, and learned about proper running attire, there’s nothing that should be holding you back from the wind in your hair and the sweat on your forehead (it’s great, we promise).

Running gives participants a sense of accomplishment, it releases endorphins so it greatly improves mood, and it can easily become a lifestyle that will support and sustain your mental and physical health well into old age and beyond.

Running is the best, the most practical, and most affordable natural medicine and illness preventor and no matter your age or level of physical fitness, it’s never too late to start!

Originally used in ancient Chinese medicine, Green Tea has been used for millenia to promote health, wellness, and well-being. However, Green Tea still has a bit of an elusive reputation, we all know that it’s good for us, but how exactly does Green Tea benefit our health?

1. Green Tea Contains EGCG

The most beneficial aspect of Green Tea is that if contains a substance called EGCG. EGCG stands for epigallocatechin gallate and is a powerful antioxidant that can:

–inhibit the growth of cancer cells
–remove toxins and free radicals from the body
–speed up the metabolism so the body processes calories more effectively
–lowers LDL cholesterol levels
–inhibits the abnormal formation of blood clots
–can suppress the appetite and reduce unhealthy food cravings

2. The Perfect Coffee Alternative

For those of you trying to battle a coffee addiction and are looking for an alternative that is still going to give you that “get-up” you need in the mornings, Green Tea should replace the coffee beans. Coffee contains caffeine that although promotes alertness on early mornings, can become addictive and controlling and can cause “caffeinism” which results in anxiety and agitation. Coffee also stains your teeth and can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, stomach upset, and increased heart rate. Green Tea is a great coffee substitute because it still contains a small amount of caffeine so you won’t feel completely deprived as you wean yourself off of the java.

3. Prevents Tooth Decay

This is an interesting one. Green Tea acts as an anti-bacterial and actually has the ability to reduce tooth decay by preventing plaque build-up. The bacteria-killing abilities in Green Tea can also combat food poisoning and can be used in natural hygiene remedies like deodorants.

4. Acts as a Fat Burner

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in November of 1999 showed that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo. As mentioned above, the EGCG in Green Tea has the ability to stimulate the metabolism and increase your body’s fat burning capabilities. Green Tea is commonly used to suppress appetite and is a common ingredient in weight loss supplements.

Keep in mind however, you have to drink at least 3 cups of Green Tea for it to have an impact on your metabolic rate.

5. Is a Powerful Anti-Oxidant

Green Tea contains antioxidants called catechins that bind to and destroy free radicals and toxins that can damage DNA, cause cancer, and blood clots. Because of Green Tea’s processing (the leaves are steamed rather than fermented), Green Tea’s catechins are more heavily concentrated than those in other teas.

Green Tea’s antioxidant potential also makes it a cancer-fighting candidate. Tak-Hang Chan, PhD and professor in the chemistry department at McGill University in Montreal studied the synthetic form of EGCG and its role in shrinking prostate cancer with success.

Drink Up!

Overall, Green Tea is the ultimate health-promoting beverage because it aids in health from multiple aspects. Green Tea is best when brewed and steeped for at least 10 minutes and then either drunk hot or combined with lemon juice and ice and served cold. You can throw Green Tea bags into a large water bottle as well for a slightly diluted yet extremely refreshing taste throughout your day.