Hitting the pavement running through streets, trails or treadmill sure is one of the best ways to tone and supercharge your body and muscles! Science shows that it is one of the best exercises people can do for a full body workout, but running can also be hard on the body, and too much of a good thing may end up leaving your joints a little tender. People who chose to run on asphalt can testify that the body needs a little tender loving care after a good jaunt.

“Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Work, continuous work and hard work, is the only way to accomplish results that last.”

~Hamilton Holt

We have all heard and probably repeated the middle of the road saying, “Moderation is key” to ourselves and others when it comes to eating bad, eating well, engaging in risky behavior or even using habits that seem healthy. But can diving into cyclical habits of the far extreme (or just too much for one’s body to handle) always yield a positive reaction, when what we are doing seems at first good for us and healthy?

Spring time is usually the most popular time for people to consider and make the decision to do a detox program. Most of these brave and committed soldiers are forced to choose between dozens of media popularized detoxes, most of which are expensive, abusive to the colon or too low in calories. Beneficial detoxes should help the body eliminate and neutralizing toxins from the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system and skin, and also help to rebuild damaged tissues through the detoxification process (done only by replenishing the body of phytochemicals, macronutrients and the right amount of calories). Because there are so many programs out there, and picking the exact detox program right for your own body and life situation can be overwhelming, below is a list of top detoxing foods that will help in the day to day elimination of accumulated body toxins.

Yoga is an effective way to calm the mind, relax the body and release anxiety.  There is a small percentage out there that suffers from a phenomenon called Restless Leg Syndrome and they may find that with regular practice of the yoga poses below, they just might be able to get this condition under control.  I believe forward bends, backbends, spinal twists and poses that contract the thighs such as chair pose and lunges and/ or warrior poses are all beneficial but should be performed with awareness to the body and breath.

Live happier and healthier: A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine notes that, “People who tend to think positively may reduce their risk of dying from heart related conditions and stroke by over 55%!”

Better skin? A study from Colorado State University at Fort Collins found that eating an excess of food that spike insulin levels (cake, soda and white bread) as well as refined carbs and fried foods may stimulate hormones responsible for oil overproduction and clogged pores. Cut back on the junk foods for a zit and wrinkle free face.

Get more zinc and possibly more love: oysters are packed with zinc, a mineral that enhances the immune system. One large oyster supplies a day’s worth of zinc, which also repairs and maintains muscle tissue. Many people do not get enough zinc in their diets and may leave themselves at risk for lowered immune system. Oysters are also a classic aphrodisiac for both men and women. Eat organic and fresh oysters a few times a month!

A study published today and featured on CNN’s Eatocracy, says that food fraud is on the rise. This serious problem should be very concerning to consumers and the general public, especially you and me. Food fraud is described as intentionally misleading consumers on products purchased by diluting, replacing and watering down food ingredients without labeling the switch. Why is so bad? Consumers are not getting what they think they are paying top dollar for. Shockingly, more than 800 new products have been added to the list of fraudulent foods, a steep 60% rise from last year. That is staggering! Reactions from consumers scream outrage, but there are many steps you, as an individual, can do to decrease your risk of being duped into believing your meticulous efforts of reading labels, buying fresh, organic, natural, and healthy foods serve in the best interest of you and your family’s well being.

When most people think of going to a yoga class, they think they need to be flexible.  I can’t tell you enough how many people will tell me that they could never take yoga, they’re not flexible enough.  Well, see that’s the problem, in order to become flexible you need to stretch.  Yes, there are some people who are just born flexible but most of us need to work on our flexibility daily. By increasing your flexibility you gain an increased range of motion in different joints.  If you lack flexibility, for example, you have a greater chance at having lower back issues (because your hamstrings are too tight), or your knees might give you trouble because you don’t have enough flexibility in the hips The thing is, if you practice yoga over time, the tight areas begin to open up and the poses that once seemed impossible are possible.

Forty ways that yoga facilitates better health, both as prevention and as treatment, that are supported by evidence! 

Yoga is an optimal way of keeping our body limber, strong and healthy. Practicing yoga twisting poses can play a role in maintaining the health of our bodies. Twists require the work of the abdominal muscles, spine, neck, shoulders and pelvis they help to bring movement to the spine, release tension along the spinal column, stimulate our organs, improve digestion, and help to strengthen the musculature of the upper back and spine. Each twist improves the strength and flexibility in all of these areas but also while compressing and stretching the mid-torso, where the adrenals, kidneys, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, spleen and stomach are located, stimulates their function, and the absorption, digestion, and elimination of the intestines. One of the great things about twisting poses is you don’t need to be flexible to get the benefits they give. By stimulating the internal organs, detoxification is inevitable.