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Luxury Sober Living at Casa Nuevo Vida

May 17th, 2013 . Posted in Health | No Comments »
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Casa Nuevo Vida is synonymous to luxury lodgings that encourage lifelong sobriety. To set it apart from other sober living homes, CNV is a supportive establishment that encourages sobriety through a rewards scheme. For example, when a resident finishes 90 days fully sober, a resident can enjoy a one-week stay in Los Barriles, Mexico. They can surf, boat, fish, and do other sunny day activities that can prove to be enjoyable and relaxing at the same time – just one of the perks of sustained sobriety! CNV’s residents are also encouraged to recover thanks to the in-house chef who provide for all the residents’ dietary needs, and the overall environment that’s conducive to a sober outlook in life.

Luxury Sober Living at Casa Nuevo Vida

Luxury Sober Living at Casa Nuevo Vida

How Can A Sober Living Home Help with the Recovery Process?

First of all, a sober living home or environment is a place that encourages sustained sobriety right after a detox program. According to various studies, people who are immediately plunged into the ‘real world’ after completing a detox program are more prone to relapsing as oppose to those who continue the detox process in a sober living environment. A sober living home is equipped with medical equipment and professional people who can handle all kinds of situations. A sober living home is most helpful in preventing relapse in that regular surprise drug tests are conducted to ensure that residents are fully sober during their stay. The best part about a sober living home is that it can help the residents recover in a comfortable home-like environment in the company of like-minded people.

What Can Casa Nuevo Vida Offer?

Casa Nuevo Vida is unlike most traditional sober living homes in that CNV has different amenities that can rival luxury lodgings or boutique hotels. First of all, there is an in-house chef who can craft sumptuous but nutritious meals for the residents on a daily basis. The chef can serve a variety of food depending on the resident’s needs. Be it Kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan, CNV can serve up a resident’s meal of choice to ensure that he/she is physically equipped to handle the obstacles of sustained sobriety. Unlike other transitional living quarters, Casa Nuevo Vida also has an in-house therapist, Jacuzzi, gym equipment, meditation gardens, hot tubs, and other equipment to ensure a resident’s comfortable stay.

The owner, David M., knows that the path to sustained sobriety is a long and uncomfortable process in itself. He himself recovered with the help of loving family and friends that’s why he knows the needs and wants of people on the road to recovery. Casa Nuevo Vida is a reflection of the owner’s own path to sobriety. Aside from the luxurious amenities, Casa Nuevo Vida offers traditional therapy methods and encourages its residents to enroll in 12-step programs while slowly building back their personal lives with sustained sobriety in mind.

Author Bio:

Faith Fajardo is a full-time web content writer who specializes in producing content targeting substance and behavioral addiction. The more he writes on the many aspects of this topic, the more convinced he is that sober living homes will help make the commitment to sobriety much stronger. Visit CasaNuevoVida.Com for more excellent advice.

4 Ways to Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle

May 17th, 2013 . Posted in Health | No Comments »
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Photo Credit: SweetSweat.Com

Photo Credit: SweetSweat.Com

Staying healthy inside and out is something that every individual wants. There’s a common misunderstanding when it comes to achieving a healthy lifestyle. People think that it’s hard to have a healthy lifestyle. They didn’t know that it’s not as hard as they think it is. All they need to do is keep things in moderate.

Some people think that in order to have a healthy lifestyle they need to start eating less and deprived their selves from the foods that they love. The truth is you don’t need to eat less in order to be healthy. You can eat as many as you want. Just make it a point that the more you eat the more calories you should burn. You don’t need to suffer just to have a healthy lifestyle. All you need is discipline and once you do, there’s no way achieving a healthy lifestyle would be hard for you.

  • Balanced diet. Balanced diet is the kind of combination of foods that helps you to keep in shape. A balanced diet consists of fruits, vegetables, meat and grains. Besides these 4, it is also important that you drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday. Addition to this, it would be great if you could also drink a glass of milk everyday to increase the calcium inside your body and helps you strengthen your bones.
  • Be active. Having a daily exercise would be good for your body. Not only are you burning calories but it’s also helping you increase your body resistance. A number of studies prove that keeping yourself active helps you relax and prevent you from getting too much stress.
  • 8 hours of sleep. After a busy day, your body needs time to rest. An individual needs to have at least 8 hours of sleep everyday to get their body fully rested. It would be great if you were already sleeping between 1AM to 3AM. These 3 hours is said to be the most important time for your body to be resting. This is when your body is on its fully rest mode. Your body may not have a clock inside but your body has its own way of knowing things.
  • Avoid vices. As soon as possible, avoid vices as you can. Vices such as smoking and drinking are probably the most common vices that people have. Although these 2 vices are better compared to drugs, it’s still not good for your health. Smoking slowly destroys your lungs and drinking slowly destroys your liver. When you add these two vices, there could probably be a couple of years deducted to your life. Keep in mind that the more cigarettes you smoke and the more alcohol you drink shortens your life.

These are the top ways for you to achieve the healthy lifestyle that you always wanted. With a healthy lifestyle, you don’t need to worry about unexpected occurrence of health problems. Isn’t it a good feeling that you’re living the life you want and you don’t need to worry about your health? Healthy lifestyle isn’t only good because it makes you look good but it also helps you enjoy your life the way you want to.

Lastly, consider complementing your routine with health and wellness products. A good example would be those promoting the use of green coffee extract, a powerful antioxidant that offers speedy fat burning benefits as well as help with appetite suppression.

Author Bio:

Clarise Tan is a health and lifestyle expert whose written works offer readers excellent advice on the subjects of fitness and weight loss. In an effort to aid readers in maintaining a fit and healthy regime, he has recently concentrated on writing articles discussing the benefits of green coffee extract through various outreach programs and websites.  Visit SweetSweat.Com for more excellent advice.

How you can remain stress free in the workplace

May 14th, 2013 . Posted in Health | No Comments »
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Most individuals will encounter some form of stress during their life. Recognising the benefits of a stress free lifestyle is one step to achieving the goal of a stress free live. However no matter how perfectly happy you may be with your life there is always a situation which could just make a change for the worse. Surveys conducted over the past few decades have continually shown that working can substantially increase stress levels amongst staff.

Everyone recalls someone in work claim that they are too stressed. An amount of stress is actually productive and gives us focus and energy, making us more productive. Stress becomes harmful when we experience excessive stress. This level varies for different people so is subjective.

Experts claim that these increased stress levels can be accounted to a number of factors, including harsh targets, a tense working environment and even lack of nutrition. Not all businesses are willing to make changes which will accommodate employees and in these cases it will be your responsibility to take steps aimed at reducing your stress levels within the workplace.

Time management : Although mainly aimed at the workplace, managing your time appropriately can also have a positive impact on your life outside of work. Time management is the process of having set periods in which your time  is spent doing a certain job. For instance an office worker who has successfully planned their day will have assigned adequate periods to complete any given tasks. Effective time management also carries the benefit of being able to regulate any extra commitments that you have taken on and even allows for the planning of rest periods.

Understand when you are stressed : Knowing what has caused your stress may just be the quickest way of eliminating it. In short avoiding these situations in future can be the easiest remedy and it may even be worth noting down when you find yourself feeling stressed and what you believe to have caused it. An example of this could be an employee who has switched to using the email system whenever possible, this is instead of speaking face to face with a colleague who leaves the person in question feeling stressed out. A remedy such as this is easy to incorporate  and effective.

Positive thinking : Instead of worrying about something that you have done wrong focus on rewarding yourself when you are successful. There is not one person who is good at absolutely everything so do not punish yourself for a mistake, this will only place increased pressure on yourself which in turn could lead to further mistakes. Take time to reflect on your achievements.

Always have time planned for yourself : Ensure that everyday you have a selected period where you can do something that you enjoy. Having something to look forward to will help you get through each day and assist you in dealing with the less enjoyable aspects of life. For many people doing something that they enjoy can be as little as watching a television programme that they enjoy. Be sure to continue with any hobbies or interests that you have even if they are only a weekend activity.

Looking after your body : Enough about your mind, let us focus on the body. Lack of sleep and nutrition have both been linked to feeling down which can lead to excess stress or depression. Make sure that you live on a healthy balanced diet and try to stay active even if its just walking to work for 30 minutes each day. Lastly it is worth noting that you should be aiming for 7-9 hours sleep each day. You can experience or may already have severe health issues if you regularly under or oversleep. Sleeping for more than 10 hours a day on a regular basis could be a  sign of an illness and if this is the case it is worth visiting your G.P for a check-up.

Author Bio; Adam Howard – Atrium Legal

Adam writes about worker health issues trying to help prevent work causing injury and Illness. Atrium Legal are specialists in Industrial Disease, giving people legal assistance when their job does have a negative affect on them.

6 Ways for a Stress-Free Summer

May 8th, 2013 . Posted in Health | Comments Off

Summer is a great time to enjoy life. It is a time of fun that you can have with family and friends. However, it can be a time of stress and could be ruined in a snap. The summer sun can be a tough customer. That is why it pays to have some help for anxiety to keep summertime enjoyable. If you are looking forward to a great summer this year, here are some ways to enjoy it minus the stress.

6 Ways for a Stress-Free Summer

6 Ways for a Stress-Free Summer

Eat healthy

It is easy to eat a lot during summer. The bad news is that a lot of people eat the wrong foods that could hurt the body’s health and even cause a panic disorder. Eating healthy should rank as the top thing to do this summer. Start your quest for healthy eating by cutting down complex carbohydrates and sugary foods. These kinds of food are unhealthy and could lead to excessive levels of stress and anxiety. Eat the right food by eating more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have water than can help the body become hydrated. These foods have a lot of anti-oxidants that can help the body repel diseases and keep the skin radiant and younger looking. Also, you can get a lot of fiber which can cleanse the body of toxins.

Breathe more

A lot of people experience anxiety and panic symptoms due to shallow and infrequent breathing. One way of keeping the mind calm and lowering stress levels is to breathe deeply and frequently. Find a cool and quiet spot in your home and try to breathe as deep as you can. Do this regularly when you are having panic symptoms and find some help for anxiety. Deep breathing allows the body to get more oxygen than can help release feel-good chemicals in the brain and lower anxiety levels in the process.

Smile a lot

Want to be rad? Then smile some more during summer. Smiling or better yet laughing can be a great way of improving blood flow and lower blood pressure. When people are showing symptoms of anxiety they suffer from elevated blood pressure than can be harmful to their health. So smile some more and be totally rad!

Be active

Summertime is a great moment to be more active. Try to ride a bike or to spend more time doing some yoga. Do everything that will give you a great exercise because it will do you a lot of good.

Drink water

Hydration is important during summer. The heat of the summer sun will easily make anybody perspire more than usual. This will have a huge impact on the amount of water in the body. It is best to drink more glasses of water than usual. For males it is best to drink at least eleven glasses and for women it is best to have nine glasses per day. Dehydration can have dire health issues since the body needs to keep a certain amount of fluids for normal functions. The body is largely composed of water and it needs to have some water to circulate nutrients and help the body flush out toxins.

Don’t stay long

Getting some sun may be good for you but the key is not to stay too long. Staying too long under the sun may not be good and could lead to skin problems such as sunburn or serious conditions such as heat stroke. Make sure that you stay under the sun before 9 AM or to go back out around 4 PM. The hours in between the times mentioned could be too much for the body to handle. It can cause heat stroke and even cause skin cancer. That is why staying under the sun is good as long as you don’t go over.

Summertime should be enjoyed and you should not worry about anything. Anxiety can come anytime but not in the middle of a gathering of family and friends. Stress and anxiety can easily be beaten through natural ways like those enumerated above. All you have to do is to keep calm and enjoy.

About the Author:

Ryan Rivera dedicates most of his time in writing articles about stress, anxiety, and depression.  You can check out his Calm Clinic Twitter account for more information regarding these topics.

Beach Beauty Tips

April 23rd, 2013 . Posted in Beauty | Comments Off

Beach weather is nearly here for most of the country! Those hot days coming to us will draw us to the coastlines for some sand, sun and refreshing water! Whether you are headed to the beach area of the lake, the ocean front or the bay, you will need some general beach beauty tips. The sun will strip you of your beauty, and no matter how great you look in the bathroom mirror, that harsh sun will pull it all away the second you step outside. Be mindful of just a few beauty tips, and you’ll rock the beach all summer long!

Melt-Proof Makeup

The most essential, important and above all else must have for beach beauty is that melt-proof makeup. Even though the thermometer might only read 70 on your beach day, that consistent sun will still strip your face of all your hard work. As night falls, your makeup will be a mess. Make sure all your summertime makeup is melt-proof by making a few changes to your make up bag. Get rid of high gloss lips and use a lip stain instead. This make up will hold tighter to the lips and won’t drip in the heat. Grace the eyes with waterproof mascara and smudge-proof shadow. Skip the eyeliners to create a calmer look for summer. Besides, you’ll be wearing your shades for most of the day anyway! Finish the look with gel blush dabbed on lightly with a sponge. You will look soft, and the sun won’t retract from the look you created in your bathroom!

Boost Your Hair Color

Your hair will lose its luster in the harsh sun and under the pool chemicals or ocean sea salt. Every hair color can keep its radiant shine with a few tips from the pros. Blondes will need to protect their hair by using a simple mixture before leaving for the day. Mix a quarter cup of baby shampoo with a tablespoon of baking soda. Coat the hair for ten minutes, rinse, style and go! Brunettes can use simple vinegar and water solutions to keep their color bright by applying straight to the hair after the shower. Redheads are the luckiest among us, as they get to steep three chamomile teabags, remove the bags, cool the water then spray directly onto the hair, then let the sun dry it! Simply spray and go to keep those locks luscious.

Keeping It Cool

Of course, drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin and help keep that glow going all day. There are other great ways, however, to keep the sweat down and help stay cool so you continue to look hot! Skip your usual perfume – instead, use scented oils or roller balls. The magic of these items is that they don’t fade away as you sweat, so the scent lasts much longer. Use a 50/50 solution of water and witch hazel in a spritz bottle to keep your face and neck cool. Not only does it leave the make up in place, it refreshes your skin, which might be sweaty and hot. Finally, before that make up even goes on, splash cold water on your face. Your pores shrink and that already melt-proof make up that you are using goes on even.

These few tips are just the beginning of beach beauty, but you will be glad you practiced each and every one of them! You will not only feel beautiful all day long at the beach, you will appreciate the freedom you have to swim, sunbathe or play all day then proceed to that after hours party!

Author Bio: Amanda is a make up fanatic and author of SkincareHQ.org which features a guide on the Best Foundation For Dry Skin. Aside from writing, Amanda loves to travel and one day dreams of living in Rome. Questions or comments for Amanda? Feel free to reach out to her @Skincare_HQ on Twitter!

Preventing Back Pain – Tips for New Moms

April 22nd, 2013 . Posted in Health | Comments Off

Caring for a new baby puts a lot of stress on your back: you have to pick up, hold, carry, and tend to your baby in those first months and years; which can be surprisingly heavy duty for your spine! It is likely that you still have some leftover back pain from pregnancy as well. This is also a period of life when you have little or not time for regular exercise. So what can a new mom do to reduce back pain?

There are a variety of exercises and posture changes you can try to help relieve back pain, but you will not be able to completely eliminate all back pain related to caring for infants. You will spend a lot of time hunched over, and that is simply hard on your back! However, there are many easy tips you can follow and thanks to them, you will likely see reduced back pain throughout your baby’s first years.

Carrying Baby

No matter how you carry your baby, it will place some strain on your back. Carrying a baby in your arms takes upper back strength. Try keeping your shoulders rolled back and your spine straight when carrying your baby in arms. This will minimize back strain.

Try not to carry your baby in a car seat or anything not designed for carrying babies. Official baby carriers that connect around the waist and shoulders are the best for reducing back strain. Wearable baby carriers have many benefits: try out as many models as you can to find the proper type of product that is satisfying for your needs. Keep your shoulders back and your head high to reduce back strain while transporting baby in a carrier too.

Feeding Baby

Try these tips for relieving your back while feeding baby. When feeding baby by breast or bottle, you can take many positions but if you are sitting, sit up straight. Use a supportive pillow to keep baby off your lap so you don’t have to hunch to reach baby’s mouth. Stretch every few minutes to work out the kinks.

When feeding baby in a high chair, make sure the chair is on the same level as you so you don’t have to bend over. Sit up straight and keep your feet on the floor for support.

Playing with Baby

When you play with baby, try getting on the same level as baby rather than hunching over it. Stretch and change positions every few minutes to relieve your back.

Exercises to Strengthen Your Back

  • Knee to chest stretch: Lie on your back with your knees up at a 90 degree angle. Gently pull your knees in toward your chest and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat several times.
  • Core strength builder: Lie on your back with your knees up and feet touching the floor. Arch your back and point your pelvic bone toward your feet. Hold for about 10 seconds. Release slowly, and tilt your pelvic bone back toward your head. Hold for about 10 seconds. Repeat 20 times.
  • Cat stretch: Get on your hands and knees. Arch your back as high as you can go, sucking in your stomach at the same time. Hold for about 10 seconds. Release and scoop your back as much as possible and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times, 2 times a day.

With proper care, your back doesn’t have to suffer just because you have a new little one in the house. It’s not easy to always look out for the correct posture but it’s worth keeping it: as you can see in most situations this is the crucial part. If you follow these practices and exercises, you will have reduced back pain in no time.

This is a guest post by freelance writer Claire Wilson for Paininjuryrelief.com who offer quick solution for chronic pain by facet blocks. When not working, Claire loves to read, practice yoga or travel with friends.

4 Health Hazards of DIY Roofing

April 19th, 2013 . Posted in Health | Comments Off
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Do-it-yourself projects (or DIY projects) are fun to do and save you money on labor costs. However, some DIY projects are not always as simple and safe as they seem. Roofing is one project that poses many hazards to your health if you are not properly trained as a roofer. Knowing the health risks helps you take the right steps to avoid serious injury or medical emergencies.

Injuries
The most obvious hazard of DIY roofing is an injury. The biggest risk of injury is the danger of falling off your roof. Roofing involves a lot of dangerous movements, including walking along the edge of a roof. One wrong step could lead to serious injury or even death. Another cause for injury is breaking through a weak spot in your roof. A severely damaged roof may have weak spots, and if you step on these, it is possible for your leg or entire body to fall through. Lastly, the tools used for roofing can become dangerous if you do not know how to use them properly.

Exposure to Mold
Your roof is exposed to rain and the elements, which makes it vulnerable to mold and other fungi. Not all mold is harmful to your health, but many mold colonies do pose a serious threat, especially to older people and individuals with respiratory problems. Mold exposure leads to sneezing, itching skin, watery eyes, and headache, but can soon progress to nose bleeds, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, hair loss, neurological disorders, chronic sinus infections, and pain in the joints. In severe cases, exposure to mold causes blindness, brain damage, cancer, and even death. Handling or repairing a roof exposed to mold is dangerous if you do not know what you are dealing with and do not wear the proper protective gear.

Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos is no longer used in new construction, but if your home is old, there may be asbestos in the roof shingles and sealants used to properly seal the roof. Asbestos is dangerous and known to cause mesothelioma and other cancers. It is of utmost importance to take the right steps when dealing with asbestos to avoid exposure. When asbestos is disturbed, the fibers become airborne and enter your lungs. They become trapped in your lungs and remain there. This leads to scarring and can permanently affect your breathing. Roofing disturbs the asbestos material, putting you at risk. The effects of asbestos are usually not noticed immediately, meaning that you could suffer damage without realizing it.

Exposure to Fumes

Even once your old roof is removed, there are still dangers to consider when placing the new roof. The chemicals used for roofing give off fumes that can be dangerous. There are different chemicals used on different roofs, including tar, asphalt, and sealants. Exposure to these fumes leads to headaches and nausea, but they usually do not last long. However, long-term exposure can be more dangerous.

Conclusion
Know the health hazards before you decide to do your own roofing. Injuries are a serious threat during DIY roofing projects, especially if you are unprepared. However, the health risks go beyond injuries. DIY roofing puts you at risk for exposure to mold, asbestos and fumes. If you are considering DIY roofing, make sure you know all the health risks, and decide if they are worth the money you could save. It is always safer to have a professional roofer repair your roof.

This article was written by Travis Guerrero, an avid writer of health and nutrition articles throughout the web. He writes this on behalf of Remedy Roofing, your number one choice when getting your roof professionally worked on in Houston. Check out their website to see what they can do for you so you don’t have to take the risk yourself!

Get Stress Relief this Summer

April 19th, 2013 . Posted in Health | Comments Off

People look forward to summer throughout the winter and spring. The weather will be warmer and the time for a lighter wardrobe will arrive. However, this is also a time of year that can cause plenty of stress. The kids are out of school and in need of entertainment, planning a family vacation may be on your list, and the lawn will once again be in need of attention. All of these things can quickly wear a person down. It is important to find activities for yourself that can aid in relieving the stress that looms in the hot summer sun. Failing to find periods of relaxation can have a number of adverse health effects. Excessive stress can lead to hypertension, an increased risk for heart disease, and many other serious conditions.

“No” is Not a Bad Word

When you have numerous activities on your plate, it is important to prioritize and pace yourself. You are not required to fill every free minute of the day with structured and productive activities. Do not feel guilty if you turn down an activity to simply have time to read or soak in a hot bath. Parties, BBQs, and beach trips will be going on all summer long. Passing up one or two invites to attend to your own needs is not a big deal. If you are a person that cannot function off of a schedule, then pencil in some down time.

Adopt Staple Activities

A little advanced planning to deal with the kids can work miracles when it comes to stress relief. Be sure to plan routine activities for your children to participate in on a daily or weekly regular basis. Make them aware of their choices so that the complaints of boredom are not thrown at your feet every few hours. Board games, museum trips, and swimming are great core options to have in the mix of activities. Enrolling children in summer camp for a small period of the summer can also give parents a much-needed break.

Find the Time to Treat Yourself

Many of us do not have the funds or the time to take actual week-long vacations. In order to combat the feeling of drudgery that this can cause, work in mini-vacations from your typical routine. These small breaks can be as simple as taking one day a week to go fishing or getting away from work long enough to take a nature hike or go camping. Any shift in the routine can reduce stress and be beneficial to one’s outlook on life.

Stick with What Works

The same techniques that we use to relieve stress can be doubly important during the summer, when the heat can seem to boil your stress levels. Adopting a morning exercise routine will help most people approach the day with a sense of ease. Maintaining a garden is also a popular relaxation technique. For people that do not have physically straining jobs, getting out and creating something with their hands tends to have a therapeutic effect that comes with a sense of accomplishment. The ideal routines will be ones that can incorporate family into the activity. You will not only eliminate your own stress, you can simultaneously provide entertainment and encourage stronger bonds in your relationships.

This article was written by Travis Guerrero, an avid blogger of health and nutrition articles across the web. He writes this on behalf of Del Mar Escapes, your number one choice when vacationing in Mexico. Check them out to see how you can get stress relief this summer!

Best Time to Drink Protein Shakes

April 18th, 2013 . Posted in Health | Comments Off
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Protein shakes can be beneficial to your health and fitness regime, whether you are trying to build muscle, lose weight or simply be healthy. However even the best protein powder won’t be very effective if you don’t take it right. There are many good times throughout the day in which a protein shake can be consumed; however, as you are not going to be and should not be drinking a protein shake for every meal, it is important to determine what your goals are and when the ideal time or times to drink a shake would be for you.

Post-workout

Almost all studies agree that the best time to have a protein shake for optimal muscle recovery is within 30 minutes post-workout. Allowing your muscles to recover post-workout is essential, whether or not your goal is to gain muscle mass. An article from the National Strength and Conditioning Association recommends consuming a mixture of carbohydrates and protein post-workout, and says that the best muscle recovery protein shake is one that combines both whey and casein. Other articles claim that whey by itself is the best option, because whey is absorbed more quickly than casein and will reach the muscles faster. Regardless of the consistency, providing your muscles with some form of protein after working out will help prevent muscle soreness, which will ensure that you can safely perform your next workout on a regular schedule without setback.

Pre-workout or mid-workout

Protein shakes are also beneficial to drink pre-workout or during your workout. A protein shake combined with slow-release carbohydrates will help ensure that you have enough energy and amino acids available during your workout. Research findings also indicate that consuming protein during a workout can speed up the synthesis of muscle protein, which aids in muscle retention.

Before bed

For continued muscle recovery, have a protein shake before going to sleep at night. Your body is going to be without any food or nutrients for six to eight hours, so it is a good idea to nourish your body with protein beforehand, as drinking protein before bed will help your body rebuild muscle tissue while you are sleeping. Because casein is absorbed more slowly, a protein shake with a casein base would be a good option for this time of day.

Morning or snack

If your goal is to lose weight, protein shakes are best taken in the morning or as a snack. A study published by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggests that whey protein in particular would be an ideal choice for breakfast protein intake, since whey protein is associated with a higher level of satiety and a reduced appetite. Since your metabolism slows down while you are sleeping, your body will be looking for something to break down for energy when you wake up. If you drink whey protein in the morning, this will allow your metabolism to start burning fat for energy, rather than relying on your body’s muscle stores. An article on livestrong.com opines that a good time to have a whey protein shake as a snack would be before dinner. For Americans, dinner tends to be the biggest meal of the day. A whey protein shake can help dieters curb their appetite and consume less food as their metabolism is winding down for the night, promoting weight loss. When using protein shakes as a substitute for or as snacks between meals, the slow-releasing casein protein would be a good choice as it remains in your system longer.

Conclusion

If you are substituting protein shakes for meals in an effort to lose weight, opt for lower-calorie choices and begin with a whey-protein shake for breakfast, supplementing it with a healthy carbohydrate like a banana. If you are looking to build muscle, a higher-calorie protein shake can be consumed up to three times per day, ideally pre-workout, post-workout and an optional shake before going to sleep. No matter what your goals are, having a protein shake after a workout is ideal.

Sources:

http://www.jacn.org/content/26/6/704S.full#sec-11

http://www.nsca-lift.org/Education/E-learning/Whey-Protein-vs–Casein-Protein-and-Optimal-Recovery/

http://www.motleyhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition/protein-timing-for-maximum-muscle-growth

http://www.iwantasixpack.com/when-to-drink-protein-shakes/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/477058-what-is-the-best-time-to-drink-a-protein-shake-for-weight-loss/

Author Bio

Rick G is an avid health and fitness enthusiast who loves to write on the subject. He is the owner and publisher of top10supplemens.com and you can find more posts of his at his google plus page.

Laser Hair Removal for Different Skin Tones

April 15th, 2013 . Posted in Beauty | Comments Off
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Laser hair removal has been with us for over two decades now in a clinical setting.  Initially it was believed that the treatment could offer a permanent hair removal solution; however, clinical trials and increasing use of the system have found that laser treatments do not permanently remove hair.  Results vary from user to user, but today it is recognised that laser treatment offers a reduction in hair growth.  It can also have a significant effect on re-growth and the strength of the hair that returns.  The actual results are however widely accepted by users to be well-worth the effort, especially when compared to short term solutions which are often painful such as constant shaving and waxing.  Another feature of laser hair removal is that it is not effective for all skin types and hair colours and this has become a cause for concern as home treatment systems including hair removal and blue light treatment for skin conditions which have become available.  So what is the science behind hair removal and how can you be sure it’s safe for you?

What do Lasers Do?

Although lasers sound a touch space-age and potentially lethal, they are fairly straightforward to understand; they utilise light which is emitted at different wavelengths to destroy cells at a molecular level.  The light emitted by the laser converts to heat (very much the same principle as the sun), destroying the cells of choice.  These basic principles are used widely in the medical, engineering and scientific fields; the ability to manipulate the wavelength of light allows lasers to be adapted to a massive range of applications and offer solutions which the precision that working at molecular levels can offer.

How do Lasers Remove Hair?

The reason that laser hair treatment works so effectively is thanks to the way in which the light is designed to attack melanin cells in the follicle of the hair.  Each individual hair grows at a different rate, going through different stages of growth at different times.  The growth phase is when a laser will destroy the growing melanin cells.  This effectively destroys the building blocks of the hair and can also inhibit re-growth in the longer term (thereby offering a long term reduction in the appearance of troublesome hair).  Because each hair is in a different stage of growth the treatment requires multiple sessions which applies either in clinical settings or with home use devices.

Melanin: Creating Colour

Yes, melanin; this is the bodies very own colouring agent, which determines the skin and hair colour for each of us.  Light skin has much less melanin in it – the result of millennia of evolution as humans moved out of Africa and needed to absorb more vitamin D from the sun.  It’s because laser systems target melanin that laser systems originally were unsuitable (and unsafe) for those with darker skin tones.  Even those with lighter skin tones need to be aware that tanned skin has a greater concentration of melanin and this may impact on the timing of laser hair treatment.  Light hair such as white, blonde and auburn coloured hair contains much less melanin and for this reason may not be affected by lasers.  In these cases it does not normally pose a risk, but is simply ineffective.

Suitable Bodies

Modern laser systems have gradually improved and the range of skin tones that are safe for laser treatment is increasing.  By adjusting the frequencies of the laser equipment it’s possible to treat darker skin tones and many home systems offer a device that can work on a good range of skin colours.  The safest and most effective results can be achieved for those with skin tones from olive to fair and hair colours from black to brown.  Home use lasers should include a safety setting that stops the unit operating if your skin tone is too dark; while in a clinical setting your clinician should be able to advise on the likely risks (or lack of them) in using laser or blue light treatment.  Many people who have used laser treatment before have found that the convenience (particularly of home use systems) compared to traditional removal methods along with its effectiveness can make a real difference to their daily routines and of course their self-image.

Author Bio

Hazel Barnes is a writer who has a keen interest in the beauty sector and new technologies such as blue light treatment which can address some age old problems on a practical level. These kinds of treatment provide you with the results that you require and are easy to incorporate into your beauty regime

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