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The Benefits of Planking Huh... what is a plank? Planking is considered one of the best exercises for core strengthening, and, as we all know, a strong core is essential for everything we do. One of the joys of planking is that it can be done anywhere, anytime and needs no equipment. Professor Stuart McGill, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Waterloo, insists that you only need to hold the planking position for 10 seconds to see and feel the results. Others, such as Benji Tiger, insist that the optima...

Does diet affect our mood? Good mood food... Scientific evidence shows that what we eat not only affects our physical health, but also our mood and mental health. Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates Junk food is full of sugar, some seen and some unseen, and refined white starches. That sugary doughnut may give us an immediate lift, but it’s always followed by a low. Sugar, processed foods and refined carbs, such as white bread, instantly increase your blood sugar levels and make you feel great but that high is short live...

Natural Slow Release Energy Foods Slow release energy? Most of us suffer from energy slumps at various times of the day. For some of us it’s the battle to get out of bed in the morning, for others, it’s the famous afternoon drowsy feeling. Whatever you do, don’t grab an energy drink when tiredness hits, instead, eat a diet which contains natural, slow release energy foods and the problem will disappear. Which Foods? Firstly, choose foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Then look at foods that keep yo...

The Healthiest Berries Mmmmm you’ve gotta love berries… Berries have been eaten by man for millennia. Ancient man, or rather ancient woman, foraged for these Superfoods and enjoyed the colourful, nutrient rich gifts from Mother Nature. They contain exceptionally high levels of antioxidants, making them the perfect food for fighting off disease and maintaining a healthy body. Blueberries Blueberries have it all. They are great anti inflammatories and have antibacterial qualities as well. They are full of antioxi...

Nutrients that Boost Energy The old adage, “we are what we eat”, is so true... It’s a scientifically proven fact that the food we put into our bodies affects our health either positively or negatively. We all need energy to survive this busy world and the following information gives you an idea of where to look to keep up your energy levels. Vitamin E Vitamin E plays a large role in maintaining our energy levels. This vitamin helps protect our cells from free radical damage, maintains muscle strength and helps us ...

The Positive Effects of deep Breathing Do you take time to just breathe? Raymond Weil, M.D., wisely said, “Practising regular mindful breathing can be calming and energising and can even help with stress related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” Deep breathing is innate but frequently we go through life never fully inflating our lungs, and yet mindful breathing is a simple way to encourage self-healing. Shallow Breathing As children, we are discouraged from showing fear, anger or displaying outbu...

The Benefits of Using Digestive Enzymes "It's not what you eat, it's what you absorb" - Dr. Wallach Simply put, digestive enzymes are proteins that break down our food into minute pieces to allow them to enter our bloodstream and be carried around our body. Although, you may follow a healthy diet, it’s possible that the nutrients you are taking in aren’t providing you with any goodness. This particularly applies to people who have IBS, Crohn’s, coeliac disease, leaky gut or food allergies/intolerances. This inabi...

Apple Cider Vinegar and Digestion Apple cider vinegar has been used medicinally for a variety of ailments for thousands of years. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed apple cider vinegar and honey as a cure for a variety of health issues. It’s even said to have been used by Cleopatra as a facial cleanser and toner. However, here we talk about the benefits of apple cider vinegar on our digestive systems. Apple cider vinegar is made by firstly crushing apples and then adding a bacterial yeast. This causes t...

Do I Burn Fat Whilst Sleeping? Burning fat whilst sleeping?? Surely not! When you think of burning fat, you imagine a tough workout at the gym or running a half marathon and eating a healthy, lean diet. This may be one way of burning fat, however, research has shown that a good night’s sleep is imperative to keeping that unwanted fat at bay. Studies A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that sleep is one of the most powerful fat burning tools. Two groups were put on a calorie-controlled diet (1450 ...

Fruits and veg Containing the most Vit C Our bodies cannot produce Vitamin C, neither can we store it, so we have to get it from our food. All fruits and vegetables have their own benefits, this article concentrates on those which have the highest Vitamin C content. Guava The guava is native to South America and central Mexico and is now the staple fruit of many Asian countries. Just one serving of guava (1 cup) contains 377 mg of vitamin C. Blackcurrant The blackcurrant is native to central and northern Europe and parts of n...

Nutrients for Energy We all have busy and sometimes stressful lives which require energy to live successfully. Exercise, quality sleep, a balanced lifestyle, together with nutritious food will help give us the energy we need to fulfil our hopes and dreams. Eating nutrient dense foods, rather than empty calories obtained at the donut shop, is definitely the way to go. Forget diets which leave you feeling hungry and lethargic, enjoy a balanced diet, full of fresh, whole foods. Everyone of us needs water, carbohy...

3 Reasons to Eat Seeds Seeds?? That’s bird food isn’t it…? There are many tasty seeds out there which can be eaten raw as a snack, added to smoothies, sprinkled on salads or used in cooking various dishes, including cakes and biscuits. Not only are they delicious, they are extremely nutritious. Fibre Seeds are high in fibre. For example, one tablespoon of chia seeds contains 5g fibre – one sixth of our recommended intake, according to the British Nutrition Foundation. Eating a fibre rich diet not only keeps the...

Magnesium Benefits Our bodies contain only 25 grams of magnesium, most of which is stored in the skeletal system. This 25 grams may be a small amount, but it’s involved in more than 600 enzymatic reactions, from metabolising our food to creating and repairing our DNA. Below are some of the major benefits: – Healthy Bones Magnesium is vital for the formation of healthy bones and in maintaining bone density. It’s therefore one of the major players in the prevention of osteoporosis. Absorption of Calcium Magne...

The Benefits of Citrus Fruit When people think of the health benefits of citrus fruit, most concentrate on its high vitamin C content, but there is so much more to citrus than vitamin C. Good Source of Fibre An average sized orange contains around 2.3 grams of fibre, of which 50% is soluble. Not only does this help lower cholesterol levels, it also makes it a great food for dieting, as you feel full for longer. Keeping our cholesterol levels in check obviously reduces our risk heart disease. Vitamin C Vitamin C is vita...

3 Reasons to Consume Folic Acid Folate, and its synthetic counterpart folic acid, are also known as vitamin B9. This vitamin is essential for forming and repairing our DNA and producing red blood cells. Not getting enough folic acid in our diets can lead to a deficiency in a few short weeks. Folic acid can be taken as a supplement and it’s found in a wide range of foods. It can be found in the following foods: – Leafy greens – such as broccoli, spinach and lettuce Fruits – such as bananas, lemons and melons Vegetable...

How Much Water Should We Drink? The amount of water each person should drink a day varies enormously. Everyone has different requirements. Variables such as climate, health and exercise need to be factored into water requirements and, even then, there’s no set amount. The important thing to remember is that when you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. What’s Right for You? There are many factors to consider when deciding how much fluid is right for your body. Is it an exceptionally hot day? Are you planning on running a ...