4 Ways French Women Stay Thin (without the Gym)

There's nothing wrong with lifting weights or doing aerobics, but some women just don't like going to the gym to do their workouts. Does that mean they're doomed to a life of creeping weight gain and poor health? Not at all. French women are famous for their svelte figures, but they don't get them from working out at the gym. Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, reveals four ways French women stay thin (without the gym).

From the 15th floor windows of my New York City apartment, I have a clear view of a big and many windowed "health center," (aka a four-story gym complex). September is one of the gym’s busiest months. Right after Labor Day, active women, who I hope are incorporating daily outdoor activities with a seasonal summer flavor into their daily routines, flock indoors to the gym and an artificial routine of treadmills, exercise bikes and medieval torture devices. I see them sweating early mornings and late at night from my windows. I see them going and coming from my daily walk as I pass the gym.

It is a sign of the times — but also our American culture — that many women seem to have only two modes: sitting or spinning. They’re either avoiding even the slightest heart rate increase (like those women in my apartment building who take the elevator to the second floor) or they’re sentencing themselves to hours at the gym as punishment for their indulgences throughout the day. So often I see the begrudging look on women’s faces and hear the phrase, "I don’t want to go to the gym, but I have to." Pourquoi? If you are eating mindfully, and eating the correct portion sizes, you don’t have to torture yourself on those metal contraptions or run a marathon to stay trim. French women reject the notion of "no pain, no gain," opting for a more pleasurable notion of mild, sustained exertion. We prefer all-day movement, what I like to call "the slow burn," and we practice it as second nature instead of attacking it like boot camp. Read more

Allergies? Neti Pot Clears Congestion

New York Times “Really?” columnist Anahad O’Connor explores the claims and the science behindthe neti pot. Does it really clear congestion?

The Remedy: The Neti Pot

The Claim: It clears congestion.

The Science: Pills and nasal sprays are the obvious choice for allergies and congested sinuses. But both can have side effects, and some sprays in particular can lead to dependence and nasal irritation. For a quick home remedy, doctors recommend irrigating the sinus cavity with a mild saline solution. One option is to snort warm salt water from cupped hands. But a more convenient approach is to use a neti pot, which resembles a small teapot and sells in most stores for about $10, usually with packets of dry saline solution included. Read more

Hospital's New Policy Welcomes Shamans

Hmong shamans consult with doctors at Mercy Medical Center in California.

The patient in Room 328 had diabetes and hypertension. But when Va Meng Lee, a Hmong shaman, began the healing process by looping a coiled thread around the patient’s wrist, Mr. Lee’s chief concern was summoning the ailing man’s runaway soul.

“Doctors are good at disease,” Mr. Lee said as he encircled the patient, Chang Teng Thao, a widower from Laos, in an invisible “protective shield” traced in the air with his finger. “The soul is the shaman’s responsibility.”

At Mercy Medical Center in Merced, where roughly four patients a day are Hmong from northern Laos, healing includes more than IV drips, syringes and blood glucose monitors. Because many Hmong rely on their spiritual beliefs to get them through illnesses, the hospital’s new Hmong shaman policy, the country’s first, formally recognizes the cultural role of traditional healers like Mr. Lee, inviting them to perform nine approved ceremonies in the hospital, including “soul calling” and chanting in a soft voice. Read more

8 Natural Alternative to Swine Flu Vaccine

Instead of getting your government flu shot, try these natural supplements that will boost immunity and also help you recover from the flu fast if you happen to get it.

Flu – we all want to avoid it. Here are some natural options that will help build your immunity so you do not get it.

Olive leaf enhances immune function and fights all types ofa infections, including the flu virus. I see many people who tell me that they have not been sick since they began taking olive leaf daily. With olive leaf, quality is very important. The active component, oleuropein, should be 18% at a minimum. The best brands contain over 20% oleuropein. Read more

7 Benefits of Coconut Water

Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts, not to be confused with coconut milk. Coconut water has long been a popular drink in the tropics where it is available fresh, canned, or bottled. It is naturally fat-free and low in calories.

Many persons have gone to the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, Florida, Hawaii, South America or Southern Asia and have tasted some very refreshing coconut water. The palm trees you have become accustomed to while on vacation are very potent sources of coconut water that has many health benefits and uses that you probably did not know about. Coconut water is the purest liquid second only to water itself. It is chock full of electrolytes, calcium, potassium, magnesium; everything that is good for you.

Coconut water is the liquid that is taken from unripe coconuts. If coconuts get ripe the liquid that is inside will harden and become a part of the white flesh of the coconut, which is used to make coconut milk. So, picking the coconut while it is unripe will ensure that the body gets all the benefits of coconut water. Read more

Kava Kava: A Natural Anxiety Reducer

Kava kava has been used as a ceremonial beverage in the Pacific Islands for thousands of years. It is believed to have originated in Melanesia, and been drunk for hundreds of years by native islanders. In addition to its ceremonial purposes, kava is perhaps best known for its relaxing qualities. Kava is said to elevate mood, well-being, and contentment, and produce a feeling of relaxation. Several studies have found that kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and related nervous disorders.

Summer is coming to a close and September is the biggest month for going back to school, acquiring new projects at work, and no doubt a new set of things to be anxious about. Instead of popping prescription meds for that new bout of anxiety, stop it before it gets too far with a little bit of natural help. The Kava kava plant is here to help slow your mind and reduce your workday, school day, and dinner time anxieties.

Kava kava—or scientifically termed Piper methysticum—is native to many island nations in and around Polynesia (including Hawaii) where it has been used for centuries as a ceremonial herb to induce intoxication as a way to calm the patrons of celebrations. Although the kava plant has large, green leaves and stems, the actual root is the only part of the plant that is used for medicinal or recreational purposes. Read more

Houseplants Make Air Healthier

Not only are houseplants a stylish accessory for any interior décor, but they also are a healthy addition to any room, as they convert carbon dioxide to oxygen while absorbing pollutants.

Houseplants can neutralize harmful ozone, making indoor air cleaner, according to a new study.

Ozone, which is the main component of smog, forms when high-energy light, such as the ultraviolet light from the sun, breaks oxygen bonds, ultimately resulting in O3, three atoms of oxygen joining together. When formed higher up in the atmosphere, the ozone layer protects us from harmful UV rays. Ground-level ozone is not so pleasant.

While indoor ozone is a bigger problem in many developing countries, owing to the burning of biomass for cooking and heat in poorly ventilated quarters, the colorless gas can infiltrate from outdoors into offices and homes, even in developed countries. In addition, copy machines and printers, along with other equipment, can boost ozone concentrations indoors, the researchers say. Read more

Acne Skin Care

Acne is defined as a diseased condition of the skin that involves the hair and oil glands. It is characterized by pimples, black/white heads, reddishness and cysts. Face acne can spoil your appearance to a great extent and body acne can really ruin your day by making you very uncomfortable. Considering acne as a minor problem, some people tend to totally discard the topic of acne skin care. However, the importance of acne skin care cannot be undermined in any way.

Acne skin care should really start much before the acne actually appears. Acne skin care is more about being proactive than reactive. Acne skin care is about being aware of preventive measures. Acne skin care is - following daily skin care routines with complete discipline. So let’s have a look at how acne skin care can be applied to our daily routine.

Acne skin care starts with the most basic thing - cleanliness. Morning showers are the most basic way of keeping the skin clean. In fact, a lot of people take night showers too (that not only helps in keeping your skin clean but also provides relaxation to your body and enables a good sleep). If you are living in a hot and/or humid place, a night shower becomes a must. In fact, a shower is recommended after any activity that causes high levels of sweat to develop. It’s a very effective ‘acne skin care’ technique.

However, acne skin care is not about just showers. Acne skin care is also about wearing clean clothes and sleeping on clean pillows. Moreover, too tight clothes can cause sweat to accumulate quickly; so soft and comfortable cotton clothes are recommended, especially if you already have acne. In the same sense, ‘acne skin care’ also advocates regular cleaning of your make-up brush and any equipment that you use on your body.

Besides that, you should also use a mild, water-soluble, oil-free and soap-free cleanser for keeping your face, neck and arms clean. Cleansing is the most important part of any acne skin care routine. Cleaners are the easiest and the most effective way of removing dirt, grease, pollutants and excess oil from your skin; thus reducing the probability of acne occurrence. Acne skin care also recommends removing your make up using a make up remover, and this should happen before you go to bed (not in the morning).

If you already have acne, do not try to touch them or squeeze pimples; it can lead to permanent scars. Acne skin care requires gentle cleansing and cleaning of the affected area using an over-the-counter medication and a clean/soft cotton pad. There are various acne skin care creams and lotions available over-the-counter (a lot of these acne skin care products are actually just cleansers). However, if these acne skin care measures don’t give you the desired results, you can contact a dermatologist for acne skin care advice and treatment.

To find out about a clinically proven, step-by-step system for permanently curing your acne and achieving lasting clear skin faster than you ever thought possible, click here!

Diabetes: Poor Lifestyle or Something Else?

People are often told that diabetes is their own fault, a result of poor lifestyle, but could there be something else to blame?

We are often told that diabetes is due to poor lifestyles, junk food and lack of exercise.

As a person who has diabetes, and is now insulin dependent, as well as having other health problems, I always felt this was too simplistic.

Recently I asked to be referred to sort out a problem that I have had for around 50 years - poor joints and muscles. I was referred to an enhanced physiotherapist who after asking me many questions is to refer me to a Rheumatologist.

One thing she said struck me as odd: she asked if I had ever been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Whilst I have been told that one joint (my right wrist) does have arthritis I always believed it was due to osteo-arthritis. I have had problems all my life practically with regards to this wrist and other joints in my body.

I decided to check out Rhumatoid Arthritis (RA) on the internet and was surprised to find it is an auto-immune disease. As I looked further into this I discovered that diabetes, and underactive thyroid, are also auto-immune diseases. As no medical professional up to now has ever said this to me I was very surprised, considering I have both of these diseases. Read more

Olive Leaf Offers Many Healing Benefits

Olive leaf has many healing benefits, including fighting off colds and flu.

The healing benefits of olive leaf has been used for thousands of years and originated in Ancient Egypt. The olive leaf was used by many as a sign of heavenly power. In the 1850`s, there is documentation showing how olive leaf cured malaria in its final stages.

If you live a stressful life and you normally get colds and flu, then olive leaf is just what you need. Many have had great success with this herb. Olive leaf has a bitter compound called oleuropein, which is the reason for its disease fighting compound. Read More