The Best Alternatives to Coffee

The Best Alternatives to Coffee



If you're one of those millions of people who can't get started in the morning without that first cup of coffee, you should be aware of some other drink alternatives that you may enjoy even more. Coffee is such a popular drink, yes, it's true. However, coffee can become a habit, and the caffeine will jump start your day, but is this the right way to do it?

Okay, just because there are other drink alternatives to coffee doesn't really mean you have to give up the aroma and taste of those coffee beans. It simply means that you should try some other drinks once in a while. Who knows? You may really love one of those other drinks even better than coffee!
One good drink to have instead of coffee is green tea. You've heard lots about this tea and it's all true. You can actually brew green tea, it still has some caffeine but a lot less. You also won't get those jitters that you may get from your coffee. It is also healthy with its' antioxidants and strong disease fighters to help keep you from getting sick. It tastes good, too.

Another type of tea that you may enjoy is licorice tea. This tea is caffeine-free, very bold, and good-tasting with its' spicy and sweet combination. Licorice can actually increase your energy even though it is caffeine-free since it's consider to be an adrenal tonic. This type of tonic can reduce your stress levels.

If you're one of those who also loves coffee in the afternoon, a smart alternative is one of those cool, refreshing smoothies that also contains some nuts. You can use cashew milk, nut butter and protein powder to raise your blood sugar. This is the energy boost that will keep you going for the rest of the day.

Nuts are also very healthy for you and also have the benefits of fiber and the protein.
Another great afternoon drink, or even a good drink in the morning, is a cup of hot chai. Chai is a combination of milk, spices such as ginger and cinnamon, and of course the black tea that is very rich. The caffeine level in chai is quite low. Even though this is still a type of tea, it has a creamy and smooth taste and texture that will remind you very much of that coffee that you still crave and love.

By just trying one or two of these alternatives, you may feel better, be healthier, and also treat your taste buds with something different.


Written by the health experts at the worlds leader for compression stockings, CompressionStocking.co.

5 Foods to Eat for Optimal Health

5 Foods to Eat for Optimal Health

The impact of eating healthy extends beyond weight loss. There are certain types of food that contain a high level of vitamins and minerals that offer a variety of benefits to the body. The results of a healthy diet can often be displayed in your physical appearance, emotions and health. 

Consuming nutrient rich food on a daily basis can have an extraordinary impact. The opposite is also true, if the food lacks the proper vitamins and nutrients than we are only poisoning our system and causing harm to the body. There are numerous types of food that can help the body perform at an optimal level.

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Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables included in this category are broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. These foods are considered to be super vegetables and help increase antioxidant levels within the body. The vegetables are also useful in eliminating toxins and supporting the immune system in fighting cancer.

Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil may have an unpleasant taste, but it is undeniably beneficial for your body. Cod liver contains nutrients that are necessary to the human body: DHA, Vitamin A, EPA and Vitamin D. Adding cod liver oil to your diet can improve skin, teeth, bones, joints, cardiovascular system and digestive tract. The oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids which help balance hormones and fight depression. For those that do not enjoy the taste of cod liver it is also available in pill form.

Strawberries
Strawberries are not only delicious, but they have several health benefits to the body. One of the primary benefits of strawberry is the ability to improve the skin's appearance. Eating one cup of strawberries provides 160 percent of the recommended dosage of vitamin C a day. The vitamin C improves skin firmness and produces collagen. Strawberries also contain phenols, a chemical compound that provides antioxidant properties. The phenols also have anti-inflammatory properties that help the body fight against osteoporosis and asthma. The anti-inflammatory properties contained within the strawberry also help offset cancer and improve my health.

Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains Lauric acid, a compound that can improve the metabolism and target stored fat. The oil is also antibacterial and antiviral. Having coconut oil in your system on a regular basis provides an increased amount of protection from colds. In addition, the Lauric acid also is an added protection from aging by improving bone strength.

Yogurt
Yogurt has a variety of benefits to the immune system. Eating yogurt consistently can help balance the intestinal flora and create good bacteria called probiotics. This tasty dessert also helps to protect from osteoporosis, yeast infections and irritable bowel syndrome. The most effective yogurt must contain live and active cultures.
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5 Keys to the Paleo Diet

5 Keys to the Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet: Health, Strength and Weight Loss

The main focus of the Paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, is on what men ate in the Paleolithic era. This diet gets down to the real basics. Foods that are allowed and foods that are not are emphasized.

Paleo is short for Paleolithic. Considering the fact that early Paleolithic man was healthy and disease-free, this diet is one that encourages a change from today’s daily diet to that of our ancestors. The Paleo diet a low carbohydrate diet rich in proteins. A new way of life is encouraged, rather than a short-term diet. This diet is based on the cave man’s secret to being healthy.

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The secret begins with the 5 keys to the Paleo diet. 

The following foods are allowed in unlimited amounts:
•          Red meat
•          Pork
•          Eggs
•          Meat bones to cook soups and broth


Consume unlimited amounts of:
•          Fresh vegetables
•          Frozen vegetables


Consume smaller amounts of:
•          Fresh fruits
•          Berries
•          Nuts (except for peanuts)


Consume saturated fats including:
•          Lard
•          Butter
•          Coconut oil


For salads or raw foods, add:
•          Olive oil
•          Avacado oil
•          Macademia oil


The theory behind the Paleo diet is relying on the fact that the body gets plenty of protein from meat, to gain new muscles and new cells. A carbohydrate rich diet triggers insulin, which leads to fat gain, inflammation, diabetes and heart diseases over time.

Grains and Legumes must be avoided, including:
•          Wheat, oats
•          Rye, corn, barley
•          Kidney beans, soy beans, pinto beans
•          Black beans, navy beans, black beans
•          Black-eyed peas
•          Peanuts


More foods to avoid:
•          All dairy, except for butter
•          All sugar
•          Margarine, corn oil, canola oil
•          Peanut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil
•          Vegetable shortening


Dairy must be eliminated from the diet. It irritates the lining of the gut and causes digestive problems. Lactose and casein are not easy to digest for many people.
Packaged foods and fruit juices contain hidden sugars. They should be eliminated from the diet.


Animal Feeding
Advocates of the Paleo diet recommend organic fruits and vegetables. Although unlimited amounts of meat are allowed, it should come from grass fed animals. Free range poultry is also highly recommended. All fish, including shellfish, should be as fresh as possible.

Theory Behind Paleo Diet
The Paleo diet is known as the diet of the pre-historic past. It stresses a change in lifestyle long term. The theory behind the Paleo diet is that our genetics have remained unchanged since the Stone age. Even though agriculture changed the foods we consume, our genetics have not changed. Considering the fact that our early ancestors were strong and healthy, if we change our food consumption to the way they ate, we too can achieve health and strength.

Obesity is another problem that has been solved with this diet. Those on this diet eat when they are hungry and do not consume all the bad foods that contribute to gaining excess amounts of weight. Through much research by doctors and scientists, the findings are that a healthy lifestyle with weight loss and freedom from disease will transform many lives through the Paleo diet. 
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5 Healthy and Easy Ways to Prepare Vegetables

5 Healthy and Easy Ways to Prepare Vegetables

Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that every body needs. Some of these nutrients, however, can be lost depending on how they're cooked. Cooking them is a challenge too: vegetable recipes can be quite complicated, especially for a beginner chef. There are, however, several ways to cook vegetables that are both healthy and easy. We're going to list 5 of them.

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Sauteing your vegetables is one simple way to cook just about any vegetable. The word "saute" comes from the French word for "jump," and refers to the way vegetables jump in a lightly oiled hot pan. This method uses much less oil than frying. It's much easier to saute if the vegetables are cut into bite-sized pieces first.

It's quite easy to boil or simmer vegetables. To retain the crispness of a vegetable like broccoli, let the water come to a full, rolling boil before tossing them in. Cook them quickly. This is actually called "blanching." Simmering vegetables works better for root vegetables that may take a while to cook, like potatoes. This technique works well for beans too. It requires a lower heat (put in vegetables when the pot is simmering rather than at a full boil) and a longer time to get the food cooked thoroughly. However, water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C may be lost using this cooking method.

Roasting vegetables only requires that they be put on a baking sheet and drizzled with oil before putting them in a 400-degree oven. This technique preserves nutrients and flavors that can be lost when boiling. Sugars in the vegetables caramelize, giving them a sweet and crunchy flavor.

Steaming vegetables is the best way for the calorie-counting chef to cook vegetables. The vegetables are not submerged in water, which retains the nutrients, and spices can be added to the water. Doing that will give the vegetables subtle flavor.

Vegetables are also tasty--and healthy--grilled. Put them on a skewer and rotate them so they cook evenly. Make it a meal by adding pieces of meat to the skewer and making kebabs.

No single cooking method is best. Because different vitamins are lost depending on cooking method, it's best to eat a variety of vegetables in a variety of ways. Most Americans do not eat enough vegetables, because of taste or some other reasons. These five easy and healthy ways to cook vegetables are delicious enough to have even picky eaters reaching for seconds.

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