Make Laundry Day Greener

 

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

If you want to do your bit for the planet and create a greener household, a good place to start is with your laundry. Washing and drying creates a large amount of energy but there are a number of ways in which you can make the process more environmentally-friendly.

Here are some ways you can make wash day greener:

 

Wash at 30
Washing at 30 degrees uses around 40% less electricity than washing at 40 degrees, so it’s an easy change to make with a big effect.

 

Full Loads Only
Avoid small loads of one or two items and instead wait until you have a full load to make the most of the electricity used.

 

Choose Energy Efficient Appliances
Next time you replace your washing machine, check the energy efficiency before making a new purchase. Also choose a model that has specific economy settings.

 

Switch Your Detergent
Many laundry detergents are packed with ingredients such as bleaches and phosphates that can be harmful to the environment. There is however a wide range of environmentally-friendly detergents to choose from, so look out for these instead.

 

Switch Off the Tumble Dryer
Try to minimise the number of times you use a tumble dryer for drying clothes. On a sunny or windy day, hang laundry outside to dry and in winter make the most of heat from your radiators to dry your washing. If you do use a tumble dryer, you could invest in special dryer balls that cut the amount of time taken to dry clothes.

 

For more tips on being green at home, visit: www.thedailygreen.com

Categories: day greener, dryer, energy, environmentally friendly, greener nbsp, laundry, nbsp, nbsp switch, tumble, tumble dryer, washing

Feel the Heat without Feeling the Cost

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

When the temperature drops, most of us automatically turn up the heating. But of course, this not only leads to higher energy bills but to an increased output of carbon emissions too. So are there ways to stay warm and snuggly without increasing your energy costs? Here are some ideas:

 

Check for drafts – if you feel a chill in the room, check that you aren’t exposed to any drafts. It may be worth repairing broken window seals, investing in thicker curtains, or investing in draft excluders to help save on your energy bills.

 

Install insulation – if you don’t have adequate insulation, you could be losing a big chunk of the heat from your house through your attic. Check if you have insulation and if not, research what options are available to you.

 

Individual radiators – if you are you able to control your radiators individually, remember to turn them down in the rooms you are not using. There is little point heating every room in the house if you’re only using one or two rooms each day.

 

Get together – if you’re sat in the dining room, your partner is in the living room and your children are each in their own bedrooms, then you could be paying to heat four separate rooms. Why not come together as a family in just one room – to play a game, read together or watch a DVD? It will give you valuable family time and allow you to switch off the heating in the unused rooms.

 

For more tips on saving energy, visit: www.futurefriendly.co.uk

 

Categories: check, energy, energy bills, nbsp, room, rooms

Is Your Fridge Due a Health Check?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

It’s something most of us use every day and yet many people don’t give their fridge the care and attention it deserves. By looking after your fridge, you’ll not only promote good food hygiene but could also help it to run more efficiently.Here’s how…

 

Keep it almost full
It may seem strange but a full fridge actually uses less energy than an empty one. This is because when a fridge is full, there is less air to cool.

 

Give it a clean
Keeping the inside of your fridge clean is obviously important to prevent bacteria but it’s also worth checking the outside too. By regularly dusting the coils at the back of your fridge you’ll improve the airflow and reduce the stress on your fridge’s compressor.

 

Remove ice regularly
If your fridge has a freezer compartment, make sure this is defrosted regularly. When frost is allowed to build up, it can reduce the energy efficiency of your fridge.

 

Keep it at the right temperature
For optimum efficiency and food safety, your fridge should be neither too warm nor too cold. Check the manual to ensure it is at the right temperature.

 

Check the position
Where you position your fridge can have a big impact on its energy efficiency. Ideally it should be somewhere where air can flow freely around the fridge and should be positioned away from things that could cause it to heat up such as ovens or windows.

 

For more information on food hygiene, visit: www.food.gov.uk

 

Categories: energy, energy efficiency, Food, food hygiene, fridge, nbsp, regularly

Six Things You Can Do to Help Save Energy

Saving energy is just one of many things you can do to sure up your environmental wellness, but how do you do it? We’ve got some advice to help you save energy:

 

1. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Not only is driving everywhere bad for the planet, it also doesn’t do your wellbeing any favours. Keep fit and look after the environment by leaving your car at home twice a week. It sounds like a small measure, but this one act can help cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds per year. Don’t go shopping or run errands multiple times but save them up so you only need to go driving once. If your company lets you work from home sometimes, arrange to spend a few days a week out of the office so you don’t need to use your car to commute. You could also cycle, take public transport or, if you live too far away, drive as much as you need to and walk the rest of the way. These acts can help to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion – and save you money.

 

2. Don’t Idle: If your child’s school has a bus system, remind the school that bus engines should be switched off when buses are parked. When school buses are idling, the exhaust can pollute air in and around the bus, and can enter the school building through air intakes, doors, and open windows. Idling also wastes fuel and money which is pointless considering that school bus engines really need only a few minutes to warm up.

 

3. Check Your Electrics: How much of your electricity comes from renewable “green” power sources, such as wind or solar? You can check online to make sure you’re with the greenest provider possible. Green power reduces air pollution, produces less carbon emissions, and helps protect against future costs or scarcity of fossil fuels.

 

4. Make Your Home an Energy Star: Whenever you’re maintaining your home, why not do a home energy audit? This can help you find out how you can save money by making your home more energy efficient. Even if it’s something as simple as replacing your conventional light bulbs with energy-efficient ones, you can save a great deal of energy and money. If every home in the US, for example were to replace just one conventional light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, they would save enough energy to light more than three million homes a year.

 

5. ECycle It: When your computer, DVD player, or other electronics die, take them to an electronics recycling centre, or look online for places that will come pick them up. Electronics actually contain a lot of vital natural resources such as copper and gold, and reusing and recycling these materials can help to reduce mining and processing. Moreover, by eCycling your electronic goods, you can help to reduce and avoid land, air and water pollution. Capturing and reusing hazardous substances such as lead or chromium prevents these substances getting into the environment.

 

6. Be an Ambassador: If everyone made such small changes as those listed above, we could make a monumental impact on the wellbeing of the planet. However, people need to hear about these changes before they can implement them in their lives – and this is where you come in. Now you have a great list of things to do to save energy, you can tell the people you know all about it. Explain to your child’s school why it’s important to teach students about energy conservation, and try to make your workplace more energy aware. Talk to you friends – help spread the word!

 

Categories: Air Pollution, bus engines, carbon emissions, conventional light, eCycling, energy, energy conservation, energy efficient, green power, light bulb, save, save energy

Benefit From An Ayurvedic Wake-Up Routine

If the mantra ‘rise and shine’ seems to pass you each morning, you might benefit from an Ayurvedic morning routine. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the choices you make regarding your daily routine either build-up or knock down your resistance to disease. Getting the body ready for the day is important in order to approach it with confidence and bountiful wellbeing. Adopting one or more of these practices can help to radically alter your experience for the day. You may even look forward to the mornings!

Beat the Sun

This might be the hardest of all the practices to adopt but it could offer some of the best benefits. Try rolling out of bed at least 20 minutes before sunrise – vata energy fills the atmosphere during these hours before dawn, and vata is known for movement. By waking up before sunrise, you’re exposing yourself to the special energy in the air. It’s the perfect time to wake up, get out of the house and enjoy the morning air. When the sunlight brightens up the sky, vata energy is replaced by kapha or muscle energy which is why sunrise is such a vital time to get up and moving.

Activate Your Insides

The philosophy believes the first item you ingest sets the mood for the remainder of the day, so if you start the day with a glass of lukewarm water flavoured with lemon or lime, you’re more inclined to eat fresh ingredients. The idea behind the water is that the warm water stimulates the gastrointestinal tract and the citrus fruits are high in minerals and vitamins to loosen the toxins in the digestive tract. Begin your day with this simple beverage and you’ll notice that you have a lot more energy throughout the day.

Face Value

Sleep is quite harsh on your face, so rinsing your face the moment you wake up is an easy way to disperse heat and prepare the skin for the day’s challenges – in particular, heat, stress and pollution. Mishra recommends splashing the face seven times with cold water. The face is the most exposed area of the body so rehydration in the morning is crucial. You’ll be amazed at the difference this small but significant addition to your routine makes.

Be Sense Sensitive

An ear massage is helpful to the whole body, which many people don’t realise. Begin at the top of the ear and use the thumbs and index fingers to rub the rim of the ear, moving slowly to the lobe. You can then place a few drops of sesame oil just outside of the ear canal opening, to keep drying vata energy in check. Ayurveda considers the nose to be the pathway to the brain so you may find it helpful to add a few drops of sesame or olive oil just inside the nostril to clean the sinuses and ensure mental clarity.

Eat Wisely

It’s important that you eat breakfast each morning, but you shouldn’t overindulge. From sunrise to 10am is considered kapha time, which is the period during which you should be exercising and moving. A light meal won’t overload the digestive fire which doesn’t peak until noon – it’s recommended that you begin your day with something fresh and light, such as fruit, vegetable juice, non-fat yoghurt, or grains such as muesli and granola.A healthy diet is crucial for improved wellness and resistance against disease and infection, but how you start the day really makes an impact on how you feel for the remainder of it.

Categories: Ayurveda, energy, face, healthy routines, Morning, Routine, vata energy, Water

Should You Turn Down the Heating to Lose Weight?

In the winter, the central heating can be a life saver, but could having the heating on actually be damaging to your wellbeing? According to Dutch researchers, the use of central heating prevents your body using up energy to stay warm, which could be helping to drive up your obesity level. If you’re looking to lose weight, the research team advocate turning down the heating in your home and/or office in order to burn more calories – but aren’t there other wellness factors to consider? Surely there’s no point being skinny if you end up cold, miserable and possibly freezing to death!

 

The paper was written by researchers from MaastrichtUniversity and Avans Hogeschool, both in the Netherlands, and published in the peer reviewed journal Science and Society. The report was a narrative review on the topic of cold exposure, energy expenditure and its relationship to obesity. A narrative review uses certain studies in support of a particular argument. However, the NHS warns, ‘The authors do not appear to have searched the literature in a systematic way (a systematic review) nor do they report on how the search for literature was carried out. There is a risk that important evidence may have been overlooked or ignored.’

 

Still, the paper does make some interesting points. The paper notes that we can now control the temperature around us more easily, which means our bodies no longer need to expend as much energy to control internal temperature. We have also experienced a rise in obesity which, the researchers say, is linked not only to excessive food intake but also to physical inactivity (reduced energy expenditure). When you are cold enough, you start to shiver and burn energy at a greater rate – up to five times quicker than we would normally. This helps you to burn calories and, as a result, lose weight.

 

However, as shivering all day long is both unpleasant, unhealthy and make you unproductive, the researchers focus on “non-shivering thermogenesis” (NST), a method of keeping warm which does not entail shivering. This basically involves you keeping the temperature low enough to burn calories without shivering. The researchers assert that non-shivering heat production can account for up to 30% of the body’s energy budget in young and middle-aged people. They researchers suggest that a mildly cold temperature indoors – say, for example, 18-19 degrees C can result in the same increases in NST. This is roughly the same temperature as you would experience outdoors during June in England.

 

Without turning down temperatures in our homes, offices and public places, the researchers warn that ‘entire populations may be prone to developing diseases such as obesity.’ So should you turn down your heating to lose weight? According to the NHS website, ‘Slightly turning down the thermostat could certainly help your “energy balance”. There is a certain logic to the theory that if you’re cold the body will use energy to stay warm. But as yet there is no hard evidence to suggest this will help you stay a healthy weight. Staying warm in winter is important for health, especially for those who are vulnerable to cold such as the elderly and people with chronic conditions such as asthma. Current advice is that indoor heating should be around 18-21oC. Maybe one way to combine the benefits of temperature and physical activity is to regularly take brisk walks or jogs during the winter months. While this may not be a guaranteed method of burning of your brown fat, it should help contribute towards your fitness levels and lift your mood.’

Categories: burn calories, central heating, energy, energy expenditure, heating, Lose weight, narrative review, obesity, Research, Researchers, stay warm

Could Drinking Energy Drinks Give You a Heart Attack?

Energy drinks are part of the fasting growing area of the drinks market, but are they actually good for your wellness and wellbeing, or should you steer your family away from them as much as possible?

Energy drinks promise the user a quick burst of energy as soon as they down the liquid. Whilst this may be useful for various scenarios, such as a late night of studying or a challenging sports event, there is increasing concern that they could have worrying effects on the health of those who drink them on a regular basis. There is particular concern that these energy drinks may have a damaging effect on the health of the heart.

A team of researchers in Australia have been looking into this problem, using a group of participants. There were 50 participants in total and none of them had any underlying health problems. Each member of the research group was given either a can of an energy drink or the same amount of carbonated water. An hour after they had consumed these drinks, the group who had consumed the energy drinks were found to have experienced elevations in their blood pressure. Worryingly, the group who had had the energy drinks were also found to be experiencing something called endothelial dysfunction, which is a condition where the arteries of the heart are unable to relax properly and where there is an abnormal clumping of platelets. Both of these things increase the risk of the person suffering from a heart attack.

The researchers believe that the platelet clumping and the endothelial dysfunction are not down to the caffeine in the drinks (which is usually the ingredient that is suspected of causing harm) but down to the glucouronolactone that is contained in the drinks.

 

Categories: Drinks, endothelial dysfunction, energy, Energy Drinks, group, health, heart, Heart Attack

The Many Ways in Which Bottled Water Hurts Our Planet

How often do you see drinking fountains anymore? That once ubiquitous, and free, source of H2O now seems quaint, while bottled water is everywhere you look. In 2006, we consumed over eight billion gallons of the stuff, which was a 10% increase from 2005. That said, more and more of us are starting to question bottled water’s impact on our wellbeing, as well as the effect it has on the environmental wellness.

 

According to Jenny Powers of the NRDC, ‘Bottled water is an increasingly growing business, and with that comes a whole lot of environmental impact that can be avoided by a turn of the faucet.’ Environmental wellness expert Janet Majeski Jemmott explains, ‘While we struggle to cut down on our consumption of fossil fuels, bottled water increases them. Virgin petroleum is used to make PET, and the more bottles we use, the more virgin petroleum will be needed to create new bottles. Fossil fuels are burned to fill the bottles and distribute them.’ Then you have Stephen Kay of IBWA, who points out that this impact is not just limited to bottled water, but also juices, fizzy drinks and other beverages packed in plastic.

 

Majeski Jemmott notes, ‘Some brands of water come from islands and countries thousands of miles away, and shipping bottles can cause carbon pollution to spill into the water and spew into the air.’ Todd Jarvis, PhD, associate director of the Institute for Water and Watersheds at OregonStateUniversity, adds that there’s also the waste of the water itself. Jarvis has calculated that, across the globe, it takes about 72 billion gallons of water a year just to make the empty bottles. Therefore, it’s no wonder that David B. Goldstein, co-director of NRDC’s energy program in San Francisco, warns, ‘Bottled water has a significant environmental burden.’ But the environmental toll of water doesn’t end there. Let’s look at a few shocking statistics:

 

1. Oil: Majeski Jemmott comments, ‘The energy used each year making the bottles needed to meet the demand for bottled water in the United States is equivalent to more than 17 million barrels of oil. That’s enough to fuel over one million cars for a year.’

 

2. Energy: ‘If water and soft drink bottlers had used 10% recycled materials in their plastic bottles in 2004, they would have saved the equivalent of 72 million gallons of gasoline,’ says Majeski Jemmott. ‘If they had used 25%, they would have saved enough energy to electrify more than 680,000 homes for a year.’

 

3. Waste: Majeski Jemmott details, ‘In 2003, the California Department of Conservation estimated that roughly three million water bottles are trashed every day in that state. At this rate, by 2013 the amount of unrecycled bottles will be enough to create a two-lane highway that stretches the state’s entire coast.’

 

4. Greenhouse Gas: ‘In 2004 the recycling rate for all beverage containers was 33.5%,’ Majeski Jemmott states. ‘If it reached 80%, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions would be the equivalent of removing 2.4 million cars from the road for a year.’

 

5. Long-Term Impact: Majeski Jemmott notes, ‘That bottle that takes just three minutes to drink can take up to a thousand years to biodegrade.’

 

So why do we keep on drinking it? ‘A big part of the appeal of bottled water is those convenient single-serving bottles,’ says Majeski Jemmott. ‘Yet fewer than 20% of them ever make it to a second life, according to estimates by the Container Recycling Institute. The rest are tossed onto beaches and roadsides and into landfills, where they could be around for a thousand years. Nestlé Waters, Dasani and other bottlers are trying to be greener, introducing lighter-weight bottles that use up to 30 percent less plastic. It’s a good start, but more needs to be done—by them, and by us.’

Categories: bottled water, energy, Environmental Wellness, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas, jemmott notes, majeski jemmott, thousand years, virgin petroleum, Waste, year nbsp

What Are the Best Packed Lunches for Energetic Children?

If you want to look after the wellness of your family, the best thing you can do is make sure that you feed them well and pack them full of nutrients. The wellness and wellbeing of your children is hugely affected by the food that you choose to feed them, and that includes what you put into their lunch boxes.

 

When children are at school, they need brain power and energy to help them do well. With lots of junky pre-packaged foods available, the pressure to put unhealthy things into your child’s lunchbox can be really difficult to cope with, but there are ways around it.

 

First of all, children love food that is well presented. Try to find a lunch box that has a cute interior with different compartments for different food, and cute designs on the lid. You can also use colourful toothpicks for skewering veggies and fruit, slicing wraps into pinwheel shapes, cutting cheese, meat and sandwiches into shapes using cookie cutters.

 

Vegetable are also really important for kids, of course, but you need to be careful about how you include them. Find a way to make it fun, so for example you could slice up zucchini or carrots and then provide a tasty and delicious dip, or have cracker and cheese stackers with cucumber slices on them. Alternatively you could add a pasta salad that has shredded cabbage and carrots in it, or corn kernels and peas.

 

Sweet treats have a place too – just replace the usual chocolate bars with some homemade trail mix of roasted almonds, dried fruit and dark chocolate chips. Look for natural cookies and grain bars, and include some fruit leathers that are made from pure fruit concentrates and have no added sugars.

Categories: Children, cute, energy, Food, fruit, lunch, nbsp, packed

Understanding Your Metabolism: What Everyone Should Know

Understanding your metabolism is the key to losing weight and improving your fitness. If you understand your body, it makes it easier to know what to do to boost your wellness and wellbeing. Metabolism is a word that is used to mean the rate at which a person burns up the energy that is measured in calories.

 

There are three different areas to metabolism. The first is the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) which means the amount of energy that the body needs to function at a normal speed – in other words the amount of energy you use for bodily functions and just living your day to day life. The RMR uses about 60 percent of your daily calorie intake.

 

The second is the Thermic Effect of Feeding (TEF) which represents the amount of calories that you need to use to eat and digest your food, and this takes up around 5 – 10 percent of the total calorie needs for the day.

 

Finally, there is the Thermic Effects of Activity (TEA) and this represents the rate at which you burn calories by exercising and with carrying out normal movements. You use up about 30 percent of your daily calorie needs with this.

 

As you get older, your metabolism unfortunately slows down. Starting at around the age of 25, your metabolism decreases by between 5 and 10 percent per decade (especially if you are not physically active) and this accumulates to result in a 20 to 40 percent decline in metabolism over the life span of an adult. Those who continue to by physically fit, however, find that their metabolism only declines 0.3 percent per decade in comparison!

 

Boosting your metabolism is easy – all you have to do is increase the level of your exercise. Cardio training in particular is great for boosting your metabolism.

Categories: calories, daily calorie, energy, Metabolism, nbsp, percent, rate, weight

The Health Benefits of Bananas that Will Blow Your Mind

Ok, there’s nothing particularly new or exciting about bananas – apart from, you know, a certain hilarious phallic appeal. However, while current, hip superfruits saturate headlines and diet plans, it’s the banana that has quietly and brilliantly benefited your wellbeing in more ways than you know. Sure, it goes great in a sundae or milkshake, but making a banana one of your five-a-day is one of the healthiest decisions you can make for your diet wellness.

 

As well as a heaping helping of dietary fibre, there are three sugars in bananas; glucose, fructose and sucrose. This means a huge boost to your digestive health, and instant energy for your workouts. Forget protein shakes; banana is the true energy food. However, if you think bananas are limited to providing energy and enhancing your digestive system, you’ve got another thing coming. Bananas help to regulate your blood pressure, improve your overall mood and even fight against major diseases! In fact, studies have shown that there’s the potential for bananas to be a new oral vaccination against the Hepatitis B virus. Rest assured, once you see all the health benefits of bananas, you’ll know that you’ve found the right fruit:

 

1. Cancer protection: A fibre known as pectin is found in bananas, and has been classified as the best way to beat colon cancer. While the fibre you find in wholegrains is insoluble, pectin is a soluble fibre, which slows down your digestion and helps you to control your weight. In each serving of banana, you will find two grams of pectin.

 

2. PMS prevention: You face a lot of problems during your period. However, for those times when you forget your pill, a banana can come to the rescue. Bananas contain vitamin B6, meaning they can help to regulate your sugar levels, alleviate your mood and help you relax. Plus, as bananas fight off signs of depression and anxiety, they also make you feel happier.

 

3. Anaemia aversion: Bananas have a high content of iron, meaning that they work to stimulate haemoglobin production in your body. Therefore, bananas are ideal if you suffer from anaemia, or you’re at particular risk to it – this includes vegetarians and women who experience heavy periods.

 

4. Blood pressure improvement: This tropical fruit is filled with the goodness of potassium, while also being very low in sodium. Hence, if you suffer from high blood pressure and are more prone to heart diseases, bananas are the perfect fruit for you.

 

5. Brain power enhancement: Have trouble getting your brain into gear in the morning? Eat a banana for breakfast! According to research, eating bananas in the morning have helped children to be more alert at school and improved their ability to grasp new things. Not only is this the case in adults, but bananas also regulate your sugar levels and offer a boost of energy, meaning you can stay on top of your game all day.

 

6. Spot relief: Whether you have painful pimples or irritating and itchy mosquito bites, the peel of the banana is the natural remedy you seek. It sounds too good to be true, but banana peel reduces swelling and soothes the affected area.

 

7. Ulcer reduction: It’s difficult to eat many fruits if you suffer from stomach ulcers, particularly those with a high acidic content like oranges, pineapples and grapes. Bananas, on the other hand, do not irritate your stomach ulcers but bring relief by coating the lining of your stomach with their cool, smooth texture.

 

8. Smoking cessation: The vitamins B12 and B6 in bananas help against signs of withdrawal, making it easier for you to quit smoking.

Categories: banana, Bananas, blood pressure, cancer prevention, energy, fibre, Health Benefits, nbsp, quit smoking, stomach ulcers, sugar levels

IV Vitamin Therapy: Is It Really Necessary For Our Health?

In the world of health and fitness, there seems to be a new craze every other day. But how many of them do we really need, and are they doing our health any good? The latest to join the ranks is IV Vitamin Therapy in which vitamins and nutrients are quite literally fed through to the body via an IV drip. The practice itself isn’t anything new – it was developed around 50 years ago by a Baltimore Doctor naked John Myers for treating fatigue and depression. But in modern day medicine, the popularity has increased and seen a resurgence of late in people creating their own cocktail of nutrients to drip feed into their bodies. Wellness enthusiasts claim that the procedure delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream and supercharges your energy levels and immune system. Whatever ails you can supposedly be treated with this practice, from digestive complaints or sleep problems, with everything from vitamin D and folic acid flooding your veins to injectable vitamin C. But one of the main reasons why it has become so popular of late is the rumour that it could be a fantastic anti-ageing weapon.

 

There have even been reports by some people that, in place of Western medicines, this works as a way of improving the success rate in couples conceiving. In fact, IV drips are so ubiquitous in Los Angeles that you can get one along with your facial. But is this simply a holistic fad that joins the pile with crazy diets and anti-ageing remedies we now balk at? It seems that this is something altogether different from such magazine fodder.

The process is incredibly high tech, using equipment that measures bone density and takes ultrasounds. Your initial visit will require a look at the body as a collection of parts rather than one machine, making the treatments tailored to your specific needs. Most doctors will need to get a comprehensive look at your body and ailments before going straight in with the needle. Everything from your family history to your sex life will be included so that the physician can get a thorough look at your health as it currently stands. Including the initial consultation and then regular weekly injections, this isn’t a cheap service, heading well into the hundreds for this health-boosting therapy. From the first go, you may feel slightly groggy which your physician will warn you of, rather than the bolt of energy you may be expecting. But that will change – after a couple of hours, when you begin to exercise, work or go about your daily tasks, you’ll notice that you have far more energy than you usually do.

You’re able to go that extra mile without feeling drained because of it. And as you get more of this vitamin-rich therapy, the benefits improve all the while. Your fatigue levels will drop, you’ll have boundless energy and you’ll notice your skin becomes more plump and glowing. This isn’t vitamin popping in the same way that you do when you purchase a pot of multivitamins in the supermarket. These are pure grade vitamins which really make a difference. You’ll be more alert, your concentration levels will go through the roof and your appearance will really benefit. If the reviews are to be believed, then you’ll find that IV Vitamin Therapy becomes more popular by far – time will tell if it catches on in other parts of the world, following the example of top LA medical centres.

Categories: anti ageing, energy, health, holistic, iv vitamin, ll notice, New Treatment, nutrients, therapy, vitamin, vitamin therapy, vitamins

HCG Diets: What Makes Them So Controversial?

Extreme, fad diets come into the mainstream every day, so much so that we’re very rarely phased by them. But sometimes diets come into our line of view and really make us take notice. The HCG Diet is one such calorie-restrictive scheme, but this time it involves needles as well. For many people, the stress of daily life and all that that encompasses can become a little much. Our health invariably drops to the bottom of the priority pile and we find ourselves feeling the brunt of many years of neglect. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and for some this means relying on the HCG Diet. The diet itself consists of eating no more than 500 calories a day, then giving yourself shots of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone once a day. The results, supposedly, speak for themselves – curves in all the right places, no extra fat and a glowing complexion. According to studies, HCG levels are at their highest in pregnant women and seem to be extracted through urine or created synthetically. The main focus of the diet is that the hormone forces the body to mobilise fat and use it for energy, much as it does during pregnancy when it nourishes the foetus. And when this is combined with a calorie restrictive diet, it also ‘resets’ your metabolism.

There’s been much discussed surrounding this diet by dieticians, as there is with any new craze. The claims are that eating so few calories would kick-start the weight loss regardless of the hormones, Furthermore, some men experienced side effects such as altered testosterone levels. For those undertaking the diet, the maximum number of days is 45 – after this, the body becomes immune to HCG. This is a solo endeavour, which frightens a lot of people. The concept of injecting yourself in the thigh on a daily basis may seem scary, and it will hurt, but it’s not an unbearable pain. In addition to this, you also inject yourself in the waist with vitamin B12 three times a week to up your energy levels. Once you’ve reviewed the diet plan with your consultant, you’re entirely on your own. But this isn’t always a bad thing. It means that you can be responsible for what you eat and there’s a level of flexibility within that, though not a massive amount.

 

The diet is strict, involving no carbs, dairy, alcohol or sugar. In small portions, you’re entitled to organic meats, fish and vegetables. In the early stages, it’s natural that you’ll crave the sugar for an instant energy boost and you’ll feel drained. But then you’ll start to see the effects – you’ll have more energy, your skin will glow and the whites of your eyes will be brighter. Once a week, you’ll return to the clinic where you’ll be weighed and assessed, with your HCG supply refreshed as well. There are things to remember, as with any diet, and risks to take into account. For example, as you begin to lose the weight, the injections will begin to hurt more as there will be less fat cushioning the needle. Some reports show women losing up to 25 pounds in 45 days, an impressive statistic. However, such a risky diet does require medical supervision and advice beforehand. It’s advised that anyone with health issues or concerns about the possible side effects should consult their GP before taking part in the HCG diet. If you’re sensible about dieting and don’t do this for longer than the 45 day advised, this could be an effective form of weight loss.

Categories: calorie restrictive, diet, Diets, energy, hCG Diet, hormones, levels, weight, Weight Loss

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices That Benefit the Planet

We all know that we should be doing more to help the planet, but it isn’t always easy knowing where to begin. There aren’t many of us who can afford to replace our washing machine or dryer to more energy-efficient models. However, it’s not all bad news – even small changes can mount up and make a big difference. If everyone on the planet made these small changes, we could make an enormous impact on global warming. For example, take shorter showers by installing a waterproof timer in your shower. Set it to five minutes, or better yet replace your shower-head with a low-flow or water-saving model.  It’s better for the planet, as switching the shower-head could help you save almost 15000 gallons of water per year. It’s almost better for you, as hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils – you may notice that your skin is better hydrated after you’ve been going with this routine for a while.  You can also  clean clothes at home instead of buying clothes which are dry clean only. This is because cleaners use hazardous chemicals to clean garments – these eventually break down into other chemicals which damage the ozone layer. You may be able to hand wash many dry clean items in cold water, too. This works out better for you too, as these chemicals have been linked to dizziness, nausea, skin irritation and headaches.

 

Air fresheners may make your home smell more pleasant, but they could be causing damage to your health and your surroundings. Indoor air may be up to three times more polluted than outdoor air, so open the windows and let fresh air circulate rather than relying on air fresheners. If you’d rather add a scent to your home, place orange peel and sage leaves in little bowls around the home for a nice smell to each room. Air fresheners contain chemicals which have been linked to birth defects, reproductive problems and hormone abnormalities. Even those which are labelled as unscented or natural aren’t chemical free. They also contain allergens and cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde. Organic coffee is better for the environment as it uses no pesticides or chemicals which would ordinarily filter into the soil and damage water supplies. They also contain fewer synthetic agents which means that they’re healthier beans for you too. When it comes to your morning shower, skip the liquid soap and opt for the bar form instead. Although they may be more convenient, liquid forms contain triclosan which is toxic to wildlife. It’s also easy to overdo it with liquid varieties, which means your skin can be dried out more easily.

Technology is an easy way to overdo it and waste energy. For example, try switching your computer to sleep instead of leaving it active for ages – you can adjust it to switch itself off to sleep mode after five minutes of inactivity. Animated screen savers use energy and are unnecessary, which means that they’re bad for the planet. Even such a small gesture to environmental wellness can make a difference. Other ways you can improve your carbon footprint is to switch off lights when you’re not in the room, turn off electrical items such as TVs when you’re not using them, and by switching to energy efficient light bulbs and products where you can. While you may think it won’t make a difference, small gestures all add up to make a positive impact on both the planet and on your health too.

Categories: air fresheners, Carbon Footprint, chemicals, energy, energy efficient, Environmental Wellness, Home, planet, shower, shower head, Water

How Can Your Diet Directly Impact Your Energy Levels?

Everyone wants to feel alert, well-rested and energetic, but sometimes this is easier hoped for than done. The fatigue that everyday life brings can have a disastrous effect on your wellness, wreaking havoc on your immune system and dampening your emotional wellbeing. However, you can have a direct and positive impact on your energy levels by making certain changes to your diet.

 

1. Eat nutrient-packed foods as much as possible: According to registered dietician Dina Aronson, MS, RD, President of Welltech Solutions, ‘Optimal energy metabolism (the process that converts food to energy) requires an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Every cell in our body can unlock its energy potential with the proper fuel from food. If we don’t get enough nutrients from foods, we suffer from sub-optimal cellular energy metabolism, making us feel tired and sluggish.’ Therefore, you’re going for a good nutrition-per-calorie rate. The best foods for this are vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, whole grains, and lean animal proteins.

 

2. Pick high-antioxidant foods: Colourful juicy fruits like berries and melons, and dark green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, collard greens, and spinach, should be high on your list of food priorities as they are high in antioxidants. These little beauties fight against free radicals in your body, which might otherwise tax your system and cause damage to your cells which, in turn, causes fatigue and chronic illnesses.

 

3. Opt for omega-3s: ‘Studies show that diets high in omega-3 fats improve mood, memory, and thinking, which are related to focus and energy,’ says Aronson. While omega-3 supplements like fish oil can help you out, they’re no substitute for food sources like fish, flax seeds, flax oil, hemp seeds, hemp oil, leafy greens, or walnuts. You should try to get at least one excellent source of omega-3 fats a day.

 

4. Ditch the diet: Aronson notes, ‘If your “diet” is synonymous with “deprivation,” you’re doing your body a “disservice.” Skimping on calories ultimately decreases your metabolism as your body tries to conserve all the energy it can. That’s why dieters often feel lethargic.’ Moreover, as your metabolism slows down, your body begins to burn even fewer calories, and then you enviably consume more calories later and put all the weight back on anyway – what’s the point? You’re far better off revving up your metabolism and keeping your energy levels high by meeting your calorie needs every day. After all, you’re going to need that energy to exercise, which should form part of everyone’s weight loss plan.

 

5. Don’t neglect breakfast: As with deprivation, skipping breakfast seems like a good diet tip to follow initially, but you end up hurting yourself in the long-run by doing so. Aronson asserts, ‘Studies show that a good breakfast not only gets your metabolism going, but it will help keep you alert and satisfied until lunch. Bonus: healthy breakfast eaters set the stage for a full day of healthy eating.’ So you shouldn’t skip breakfast, nor should you fill it with processed foods like donuts, pastries, white bagels, cereal, and waffles. Instead, choose fresh fruit, wholegrain hot or cold cereal with nuts/seeds, wholegrain bread with nut butter, or even last night’s casserole.

 

6. Drink plenty of water: ‘Being properly hydrated is a very easy and effective way to keep your energy high,’ says Aronson. ‘The body needs water, and lots of it, to function optimally.’ Don’t waste your money and calories on vitamin waters and energy drinks – unless you’re an endurance athlete. Rather, have fresh water on hand at all times and drink at least one cup every two hours. If nothing else, all those extra trips to the loo will help you get moving more!

Categories: Antioxidants, body, energy, energy levels, energy metabolism, high, Metabolism, nbsp, Nutrient-Dense, nuts seeds

The Holy Grail of Weight Loss: How to Boost Your Metabolism

If there’s one health concern that all weight watchers care about, it’s having a healthy metabolism. However, your metabolism wellness is dependent on a number of factors. Some people are just lucky, and having a fast metabolism is just part of their genetic wellbeing. Men tend to burn more calories than women, even while resting – the lucky devils – and those under the age of 40 have faster metabolisms too, until they get older, that is. Still, even though these factors are out of your control, there are things you can do to give your metabolism a boost:

 

1. Build your muscles: Even when you’re sitting on the sofa watching Strictly, your body is always burning calories. Granted, you would be burning more calories if you were doing the samba yourself, but everyone has something what’s known as a resting metabolic rate. However, not all resting metabolic rates are created equal, as people who have more muscle consequently have a higher resting metabolic rate, meaning they burn more calories even when they’re not doing anything. For every pound of muscle you have, it will burn six calories to sustain itself, while each pound of fat burns only two calories daily. This may seem like a small difference, but it can really add up over time.

 

2. Push yourself: While you need to do strength training to build your muscles, stepping up your aerobic workout can help rev up your metabolism in the hours after you’ve exercised. The key principle involved here is that you need to push yourself.  The higher the intensity of your workout, the bigger and longer your post-workout resting metabolic rate will be. Try incorporating short bursts of faster running into your regular walk or jog, or else you might like to attempt a more intense class at the gym.

 

3. Fuel up with water: There are so many reasons why you need to hydrate, and revving your metabolism is just one of them. Your body needs water in order to process and burn calories, and so even mild dehydration can slow your metabolism down. One study has found that drinking eight or more glasses of water a day makes you burn more calories than if you only drink four. So, stay hydrated by drinking a glass of water before every meal and snack, and make sure those snacks are comprised of fluid-filled fresh fruits and vegetables, rather than pretzels or chips.

 

4. Try energy drinks: Although water should be your primary beverage of choice, some ingredients in energy drinks can give your metabolism a boost. The caffeine content in energy drinks increases the amount of energy your body uses. If your favourite energy drink contains the amino acid taurine, it can speed up your metabolism and may help to burn fat. However, you should be aware that using these drinks can cause problems like high blood pressure, anxiety, and sleep issues for some people. Moreover, the American Academy of Paediatrics doesn’t recommend energy drinks for kids and teens, so keep them out of sight if you have children.

 

5. Snack without the sin: Eating more often can really help you to lose weight, so long as you do it in the right way. Eating large meals with many hours in between causes your metabolism to slow down. However, if you have a small meal or snack every three to four hours, you can keep your metabolism cranking and, as a result, will burn more calories over the course of a day. Plenty of research has also shown that people who snack regularly eat less at meal time.

Categories: burn, calories, energy, Energy Drinks, metabolic rate, Metabolism, nbsp, resting metabolic, Water, Weight Loss

Snack, Move, Hydrate: How to Avoid the Mid-day Slump

Ah, the midday slump; that wonderful time somewhere between two and four in the afternoon when your brain says “Do you know what? I’m going to take a little holiday.” There’s a mountain of work to do but you just don’t feel like doing it – what do you do? Before you curl up under your desk for a nap, consider these ways to keep your energy levels going throughout the day, so you don’t have to put your corporate wellness at risk!

 

1. Start your day better: Having a proper breakfast is important to various aspects of your wellbeing, not least of which being your energy levels. I’m sorry, but a takeaway coffee and a granola bar aren’t going to see you through until quitting time – they won’t even get you to 11am! Giving your body the nutrients it needs at every meal is vital to keep going, as well as preventing a plethora of health concerns, so get up 20 minutes earlier and eat something that will keep you satisfied and give you energy.

 

2. Snack better: There’s no getting around it; you’re going to be hungry during the day. However, this is where you can utilise the power of healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up. Keep some almonds or fruit in your desk draw or stash carrot sticks and hummus in the fridge, and it will stop you reaching for the sugary snacks that will have you crashing when two o’clock rolls around.

 

3. Hydrate better: Drinking water really needs to be a habit, as it’s easy to forget how important it is to keep sipping. However, hydrating throughout the day is an absolute must if you want to avoid that midday crash. You might be tempted to give yourself an energy boost with a coffee or fizzy drink, but these beverages only make you more dehydrated, and therefore more tired. Your more likely to drink water if you see it in front of you, so keep a bottle on your desk (going to refill can give you a nice excuse to take a break). If water really doesn’t appeal, try adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or fill a big jug with water and add cucumber and orange slices.

 

4. Move better: According to recent studies, sitting for prolonged periods is bad for your wellness, even if you exercise regularly out of office hours. You’re stuck in a chair all day with nothing to get your blood pumping – no wonder you’re exhausted! When it gets to that point where you need to read the same paragraph five times before you understand what it says, get up and take a walk round the office or go down and up the stairs a couple of times. Just a few minutes of movement and a change of scenery will do wonders for your concentration.

 

5. Do screen time better: Staring at a computer screen all day won’t give you square eyes, but it will mess with your vision as well as your energy levels. Try to look away from your screen as much as possible, and get up and leave it behind if you’re feeling particularly lethargic. Doing a few stretches while you give your eyes a break will help to relax you and de-knot your aching shoulders, neck and back.

 

6. Manage tasks better: Even if you have a big deadline looming or an infinite number of items on your to-do list, sometimes it’s just necessary to do something new. More often than not, it’s a good idea to finish things before you move on to another task, but when you can’t even keep your eyes open, you’re not exactly working on this task anyway! Put it aside, do something different, and the change will wake you up enough to go back to the boring task later.

Categories: desk, energy, energy levels, hydrate, levels, Midday Slump, nbsp, Snack, Water

The Safety Concerns Around Weight Loss Energy Drinks

There has been a huge craze in America recently that has promoted the idea of using energy drinks as a weight loss method. The trouble with weight loss fads is that they are often based on flimsy evidence at best, and probably won’t work for the massive majority of people who try them. This is likely to be the case with energy drinks for weight loss as well, and it is worth looking at the science behind the idea to see if it can have a quantifiable effect.

 

You’ve probably encountered energy drinks in your supermarket or corner shop – they are increasingly popular in everyday life as people seem to use them as a cold alternative to coffee when they are looking for a little energy boost. They are packed with a number of nutrients such as caffeine and others, and are supposed to give you a quick boost of energy. There are many recognisable brands that we know very well, but it might seem strange for us to think of them as a product that can be used to lose weight. But perhaps we are wrong about that – could it be that energy drinks are actually a great all-round way to lose weight.

 

On the surface it appears that – no, like every other weight loss fad, energy drink weight loss is not based on sensible scientific research. As you probably already know, energy drinks contain very high levels of sugar and caffeine, and it seems that this combination can’t really be considered a good way to attempt to lose weight. Aside from the obvious issue that drinking lots of energy drinks means ingesting a lot of sugar, there is also a lot of research to suggest that this is not a safe practice.

 

The fact that energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and caffeine is compounded by the problem that they also contain high levels of artificial sweeteners and colourants. It’s even true that a number of European countries have banned their use altogether – this is already adding up to be a bad mixture if you are looking for a healthy way to lose weight. And indeed, if we look into what doctors and research teams are saying, the evidence only piles up even more.

 

Many scientists have agreed that taking high doses of caffeine can be very bad for you as it is known to promote serious medical problems such as an irregular heartbeat or even cause you to be more likely to have a heart attack. This is clear a very serious issue, but it doesn’t stop there. Many people tend to combine energy drink intake with sport, because they perceive it be a good idea to get an energy boost before they exercise. But caffeine has been shown to cause you to have a very severe form of dehydration that can actually be hazardous when exercising, so it’s definitely not a good idea. Some energy drinks don’t even put the exact levels of caffeine anywhere on their label, so you don’t even know if you’re making an informed decision.

 

One problem with using energy drinks for weight loss is that energy drinks provide a sudden burst of energy, which then leads to you having times afterwards where you are completely lethargic and more likely to binge eat and relax. This means that any good that the energy boost did for you in the short term will be completely wiped out as the lack of energy catches up with you. Use a more sensible method of weight loss and it will be better for your health.

Categories: Drinks, energy, energy boost, energy drink, Energy Drinks, high levels, Lose weight, Safety, weight, Weight Loss

What Can You Do to Help Improve Your Energy Levels?

When your energy levels are low, it can lead to all kinds of health concerns. You may worry that you are suffering from some kind of illness, and you may feel that you don’t have the wellness levels that you ought to. Your emotional wellbeing can also take a hit, as you feel drained and listless and find that doing any activity completely takes it out of you.

 

There are some great ways, however, to make sure that you boost your energy levels and keep them boosted throughout the day.

 

Energy levels tend to fall in the early afternoon, for a number of different reasons. Lunchtime lethargy is all too common.

 

One of the ways that you can combat this is to start the day by drinking a glass of cold tap water, and to keep on drinking throughout the day. Your body often gets dehydrated when you are asleep, so making sure that you banish this first thing is a good idea. Your metabolism will also benefit from drinking water throughout the day – aim to drink one glass every two hours.

 

Breakfast is also vitally important (as you have no doubt heard many times before!) Starting the day with a sugary breakfast cereal and coffee may give you an instant energy burst from the caffeine and sugar, but come midday you will find that your energy levels have plummeted. Instead, go for the slow energy release, and eat products that are filled with fibre and protein. You could start the day with a sausage or scrambled eggs on whole grain pancakes or toast, for example, or mix yoghurt into high fibre cereal.

 

Skip the black coffee too – if you need a coffee to get going in the morning, have lots of milk in it. This will help to sustain you when the caffeine wears off.

Categories: Boost, Coffee, Drinking, energy, energy levels, health, levels, nbsp

Eat Right And Healthy: Boost Your Energy Level

It’s no new rocket science that having a healthy nutritional diet will lead you to better living. But eating proper food and at the proper time can increase your body’s energy level and keep you on your toes. Be it for an exercise routine or your day at work, following a proper eating habit can make you healthier. You need to understand your body and its requirements in order to be fit and energetic all day. Having meals on an unusual time or without proper breaks can cause side effects. Your body needs a proper routine with right kind of food so that in return you can stay active during the day.

 

When to eat?

If you happen to eat a large meal right before you hit the gym or exercise, you will feel bloated and may get cramps. Before you indulge in exercise, you should have a small snack, minimum half an hour before, so that the food gets digested properly. With that small quantity of food, your body will generate the right amount of energy required during your exercise. However it is good to have a proper meal after your exercise routine. Drink lots of water. Your body should receive liquids throughout the day. Having a proper meal at the right time will allow your body to function properly.

 

What to eat?

If you eat the right kind of food, you will not feel sluggish during the day or feel less on energy. Foods that contain fibre should form a part of your regular diet. This will keep your digestive system intact and keep you healthy. Fruits, vegetables, oats and whole grains are rich in fibre. While having proper meals like breakfast, lunch and dinner, pay attention to what food you are taking. For your breakfast, have a heavy meal as it kick starts your day well and gives you the energy. Oatmeal, cereals, toast, fruits, nuts, egg whites, milk and other such items should be included I your breakfast meal to trigger the right amount of energy. Since you have had a heavy breakfast, your lunch can be light but don’t avoid eating at all. A chicken or a turkey sandwich, vegetable salad or a fruit bowl should be fine. As far as dinner is concerned, it is advisable to eat way before you hit the bed. Sleeping right after a heavy meal is a strict no-no. Rice, vegetables and little meat can be a part of your dinner.

 

For your exercise routine, as mentioned earlier, eat 30 minutes before you start. Food rich in proteins such as fish, banana, yoghurt, a small quantity of cheese etc. can form a proper small snack. Food with high quantity of sugar and caffeine should be in eaten in small doses in order to boost your energy level.

 

Energy bars can also give you that boost. However, they should contain less sugar and more carbohydrates and proteins.

 

What to avoid?

While trying to keep your energy levels high during the day, it is a must that you avoid junk fatty foods, dairy or greasy foods. This will only increase your calories but won’t supply the energy. Choose health over taste. Drinking liquids throughout the day is necessary but that should include water and fresh juices. Drinking products like soda and caffeine can dehydrate your body.

 

Paying proper attention to your eating habits will allow your body to generate more energy and will keep you fit.

Categories: energy, energy level, exercise routine, Food, heavy meal, nutrition, proper, proper meal, small quantity, small snack