If you are anything like me, then you get pretty tired of hearing the tons of outrageous promises made by every new health product to hit the market: “Grow muscle in your sleep!”, “Tone and sculpt abs in only two weeks!”, “Take this pill and regrow hair!”. No matter what you are doing, whether it be reading a magazine, watching TV, or simply driving to your nearest bookstore, we are inundated by ad campaigns touting false claims and guarantees that could never be delivered on. But every so often, one of these products proves to be the real deal. Acai is one such product, and because of its ability to deliver the goods, word of its health benefits are now sweeping the nation. Lets take an unbiased look at what acai promises compared to what acai can actually deliver:

What acai promises:

· Antioxidants for a strengthened cardiovascular system

· Fiber for aiding natural, comfortable digestion

· Lipids for the production of energy

· Amino acids for muscle regeneration

· Essential fatty acids to fight negative effects of aging

· Vitamins, nutrients and minerals to replenish the body’s storehouse

· All natural alternative to manmade health supplements

· Tastes great and comes in many forms

What acai actually delivers:

· Antioxidants for a strengthened cardiovascular system

· Fiber for aiding natural, comfortable digestion

· Lipids for the production of energy

· Amino acids for muscle regeneration

· Essential fatty acids to fight negative effects of aging

· Vitamins, nutrients and minerals to replenish the body’s storehouse

· All natural alternative to manmade health supplements

· Tastes great and comes in many forms

That’s right: what acai guarantees it actually provides. But don’t take my word for it, here’s what the specialists are saying:

Dr. Mehmet Oz: “[Acai] has twice the antioxidant content as a blueberry, so it’s a wonderful alternative….”

Dr. Nicholas Perricone: “Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature’s perfect energy fruit. Acaí is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.”

Stephen Alcott of University of Florida: “Acai berries are already considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants. This study was an important step toward learning what people may gain from using beverages, dietary supplements or other products made with the berries.”

Don’t waste your time on health products that are all bark and no bite, instead take advantage of pure, all natural acai and begin feeling the difference today!

You’ve probably already heard about acai and the many promises that have been made about what this superfruit can do for your health. Even though you may find it somewhat difficult to buy into all of the hype, it’s important to realize that many of the benefits stated are indeed accurate. In fact, many renowned health specialists have given acai their official stamp of approval; for example, take Oprah’s own Dr. Perricone: “[S]tudies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world….Acaí is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.” But exactly what does this mean for you?

Much of acai’s nutrients and minerals come from the skin’s deep purple pigment, including antioxidants (ten times more than red grapes), amino acids, essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, and 9), and fiber. Within the fruit’s pulp can be found a long list of vitamins and nutrients, including iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and E.

There is catch though: the nutritional value of acai is largely based on how it is treated during its journey from palm tree to your kitchen. In other words, there are many ways that the berries can be preserved and prepared for consumption, but only a few specific ways that successfully retain most of the fruit’s goodness. Many products currently on the market may promise big results, but they simply cannot perform because what they offer retains very little of the things that make acai so nutritional. So how should acai be prepared?

The processing makes all the difference in the final quality of the product, and in order for consumers to be able to choose the best acai product, they must be knowledgeable on certain aspects of how the fruit is prepared.

• Frozen acai berry pulp retains much of the raw fruit’s goodness.
• Freeze-dried acai berry powder retains much of the raw fruit’s goodness.
• Everything else just doesn’t cut it.

Acai is a very temperamental fruit in its raw state, and unless it is properly prepared much of its rich nutritional content is lost. Thus, when searching for the right acai product for your own needs, be sure you know what you are looking for. When you do find a quality acai supplement, though, it will make all the difference in your health and wellness. Take advantage of acai today, and begin feeling better than ever before!

photo credit: bhamsandwich

Eating healthy on vacation can be a very challenging task for most people. You’re tempted to splurge and eat out, and that’s not even thinking about all the quick, unhealthy food options available as you wait for your next plane. Even if you’re normally very good about sticking to a healthy diet, you’ll likely find that it’s easy to stray while you’re vacationing. Maybe it’s a candy bar at the airport shop or a delicate, chocolate desert at a nice restaurant that’s your weakness, but there are ways to stick to your healthy eating routine while traveling.

If you’re going to be on a long flight where they serve a meal, ask the flight attendant about healthy, low-fat, or vegetarian options. Even better, you can call ahead to make a request for your meal. Many airlines are happy to cater to your needs if given the opportunity to plan for it. It’s always a good idea to bring along some healthy snacks from home. You could bring along a few pieces of your favorite fruit, crackers and cheese, or whatever else you enjoy that’s easily packed into your carry-on. Also be sure to drink plenty of water while you’re traveling, especially if you’re flying. It will help you feel fuller and it’s easy to get dehydrated in-route.

After you get to your destination the may even be more temptation and not-so-good-for you foods readily available. Does your hotel room have a microwave or even a full kitchen? If so, make the grocery store one of your first priorities to stock up on some healthy snack options and enough food for a good percentage of the meals you’ll eat while there. Most hotels have a continental breakfast that usually offers some healthy grains and fruits. This is a great option and also very convenient, just be sure to include some protein in your breakfast in one way or another.

Of course, most people enjoy trying out new restaurants when they’re on vacation. If you are going to be eating out, be selective in choosing where and what you eat. If you must order appetizers, stick with soups, salads, veggies, and baked goods. Cut down on condiments and heavy foods by asking them to put everything on the side. That way it’s up to you how many extra’s your food will have. If you’re eating dinner out, plan to go early in the evening so you aren’t downing all that delicious food right before going to bed. Remember to treat yourself a little bit so you don’t feel deprived though, you are on vacation after all. Fish is a wonderful dinner option. If you’re a steak lover though, go ahead and order a sensibly sized, lean cut and enjoy.

Eating healthy while on vacation can be a little harder than normal day-to-day, but it certainly isn’t impossible. Ensure you get some anti-oxidants and the nutrition you need by adding a health supplement to your healthy eating routine. Acai berry health supplements are also known for keeping your digestive track in check, so it could be a very useful kind of health supplement to use while traveling.

Most people know that having health and fitness is important. Many try to stay fit and healthy to get a great body shape. The question is do people know the benefits of being fit and healthy or how to get that great body shape they yearned so much for?

Unfortunately not, otherwise there will not be such high dropout rates in gyms all over the world and people getting fatter and fatter.

• Benefits of good health and fitness :-

1) Day to day chores are so much easier – Because you are fit, you will not tire that easily and chores such as gardening, carrying stuff , bending over or climbing up to pick up things will be so much easier.

2) Enjoy life better – Since daily chores are no longer chores, you are able to do more things and faster. Savor your productivity and efficiency.

3) Save money and live longer – Save money on your medical expenses from diseases that strike unhealthy and obese people. Your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke and some form of cancers, all of which are deadly is reduced significantly when you stay fit and are in great health.

4) Your posture and confidence improve – Because you are stronger, your strong muscles hold up your skeletal structure will. This improves your body posture and your confidence will soar.

5) Look great in your clothes – You will carry your clothes well because you are no longer flabby or skinny with your clothes either too tight or too lose.

6) Attractive hunk – Gone will be the days when your body shape was the butt of jokes. Instead, people will ogle and admire your new attractive body. A body that many people will die for.

There are many more benefits for having great health and fitness. Too many to mention in just one article. So we shall go on to discuss how to be in great body shape, fit and healthy.

• How to be in great body shape-stay fit and healthy

Just three things.

1) Healthy eating habits and healthy lifestyle – You are what you eat. So if you eat unhealthy food, you will be unhealthy. Thus avoid saturated and trans fat. Eat less sugary stuff and sodium. Avoid alcohol and quit smoking. Drink plenty of water and remember what your mum used to say, “Take your vitamins.”

2) Do cardio exercises – It toughens up your heart and lungs. Cardio exercises are great for your respiratory and cardiovascular system. Best of all, it burns tons of calories.

3) Lift weights – Build muscles for a toned and defined body. With muscles come strength and with more strength you will be able to do many more things than just having a sexy muscular body.

So you can see, it is not that difficult to be fit and healthy. Having a great body shape along the way is indeed a bonus. So have you written out a plan for your health and fitness goals?

photo credit: allyrose18

Eating healthy isn’t as difficult as some make it out to be. Really, it isn’t. It doesn’t mean you have to put in twice as much effort or spend hours preparing your every meal. If you want to eat healthy, you’d be surprised at how much just a little bit helps. In fact, you’ll be cooking up delicious, healthy meals that delight your taste buds every time – in no time! Throw in some supplements and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’re feeling.

First of all, if you’re going to eat healthy you have to start out healthy. If you don’t plan you won’t make it very far before falling back into the same patterns. Before you even think about picking up the keys to your car, you have to sit down for a moment and create a list to be your guide when you hit your favorite local grocery market.

To start with, you’ll want to be sure to include on that list plenty of simple, whole foods. If you aren’t sure what that means, then think brown rice, wild rice, and whole grains. Notice I didn’t say “multi-grain”. There’s nothing wrong with multi-grain as long as it is whole multi-grain. Multi-grain is a marketing gimmick that millions of people are falling for. Just because it says multi-grain doesn’t mean it’s any healthier than the product next to it. Multi-grain can just as well be all processed grains that you’re trying to avoid…just multiple ones.

Whole grains such as the ones mentioned above are delightfully tasteful and provide fiber, as well as complex carbohydrates and important vitamins and minerals your body needs. Using these kinds of foods in your diet is important for healthy eating and doesn’t take a long time. Many of them can be cooked in about ½ an hour.

Vegetables are a corner stone to any healthy diet. They are full of vitamins, fiber, and minerals that we all need. They’re low fat and low calorie which is always good. That’s not even taking into consideration that they bring a wonderful source of protein to the table. Try to include veggies such as broccoli, spinach, lima beans, and peas – think green. No matter what kind you choose to add to your list, just be sure not to over cook them. If they’re over cooked they lose much of their nutritional value.

One of the most healthy foods to include on your list are some that do require some time to properly cook; legumes. Legumes are things like split peas, pinto beans, and black beans. There are many different kinds of legumes to choose from and they work wonderful as side or main dishes. They’re also great to throw on salads. You can expect to spend a few hours cooking them properly, but you can find them pre-cooked.

Putting plenty of all these on your menu will kick start your road to eating healthy. You can also try health supplements, such as an acai berry supplement that offers an array of benefits such as anti-oxidants. Don’t solely rely on supplements for your dietary needs, though.

photo credit: shareski

If you’re looking for healthy ways to lose weight that don’t include a trip to the pharmacy, then consider taking a yoga class. If you’ve never done yoga before, just be sure to get in to a beginner’s class. It’s easy to find gyms or yoga instructors that offer yoga classes, because it’s recently become a very popular choice of people all across the country. You can find a multitude of books and videos that help you learn the basics of yoga, but it’s best to discover the world of yoga with a qualified instructor.

Yoga Explained

Yoga actually means union. It’s an ancient form that derived from India. Today, there is a variety of different types of yoga that can be found in the US. Yoga often includes an array of poses that focus on your mental well being. Poses may be intended to emphasize meditation, chanting, or breathing. However, if you’re taking your yoga class at the local gym, you may find that the focus is more on the physical side. Yoga is a wonderful practice that combines both your mind and body, developing your flexibility, strength, and your spirit.

Why Yoga for Weight Loss?

Yoga will slowly build your flexibility, strength, and muscle; all of which are important factors for not only weight loss, but your overall health and well-being. Developing a strong, flexible core while naturally building muscle results in a higher metabolism rate! Usually you will practice yoga in a group. The spiritual aspect of practicing yoga enhances your connection to others in the group. Having that kind of support and connection is always a plus for anyone trying to lose weight. While yoga is an amazing core to your weight loss routine, you’ll want to include some kind of cardio program as well. You can do this by signing up to a spinning, aerobic, or kickboxing class. However, it can also be as simple as getting out of the house and going for a walk or jog through the neighborhood.

Eating healthy isn’t as difficult as some make it out to be. Really, it isn’t. It doesn’t mean you have to put in twice as much effort or spend hours preparing your every meal. If you want to eat healthy, you’d be surprised at how much just a little bit helps. In fact, you’ll be cooking up delicious, healthy meals that delight your taste buds every time – in no time! Throw in some supplements and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’re feeling.

First of all, if you’re going to eat healthy you have to start out healthy. If you don’t plan you won’t make it very far before falling back into the same patterns. Before you even think about picking up the keys to your car, you have to sit down for a moment and create a list to be your guide when you hit your favorite local grocery market.

To start with, you’ll want to be sure to include on that list plenty of simple, whole foods. If you aren’t sure what that means, then think brown rice, wild rice, and whole grains. Notice I didn’t say “multi-grain”. There’s nothing wrong with multi-grain as long as it is whole multi-grain. Multi-grain is a marketing gimmick that millions of people are falling for. Just because it says multi-grain doesn’t mean it’s any healthier than the product next to it. Multi-grain can just as well be all processed grains that you’re trying to avoid…just multiple ones.

Whole grains such as the ones mentioned above are delightfully tasteful and provide fiber, as well as complex carbohydrates and important vitamins and minerals your body needs. Using these kinds of foods in your diet is important for healthy eating and doesn’t take a long time. Many of them can be cooked in about ½ an hour.

Vegetables are a corner stone to any healthy diet. They are full of vitamins, fiber, and minerals that we all need. They’re low fat and low calorie which is always good. That’s not even taking into consideration that they bring a wonderful source of protein to the table. Try to include veggies such as broccoli, spinach, lima beans, and peas – think green. No matter what kind you choose to add to your list, just be sure not to over cook them. If they’re over cooked they lose much of their nutritional value.

One of the most healthy foods to include on your list are some that do require some time to properly cook; legumes. Legumes are things like split peas, pinto beans, and black beans. There are many different kinds of legumes to choose from and they work wonderful as side or main dishes. They’re also great to throw on salads. You can expect to spend a few hours cooking them properly, but you can find them pre-cooked.

Putting plenty of all these on your menu will kick start your road to eating healthy. You can also try health supplements, such as an Acai berry supplement that offers an array of benefits such as anti-oxidants. Don’t solely rely on supplements for your dietary needs, though.

Acai has made the news yet again! Reporter Ashley McMillan has done a great report in vitamins and supplements in her report. She discusses these topics with Dr. Thompson and report that products like our acai berry can take some time for the benefits to be felt or noticed. In some cases up to 4 to 6 weeks.

“Most people aren’t going to get benefits right off the bat. Most things have to build up in your system, ususally that can take up to a week and sometimes up to a month. Certain medications up to 4-6 (weeks).”

…

“Both (Donna) Link and Thompson say it’s important to take the vitamin or supplement for at least 30 days.”

For more information, or to see the video report, head over to the KXMC website.

This time Mona Vie juice is being shown on Fox News. Watch the video

photo credit: whyld

Repeatedly lifting weights that increase with time is the core of weight resistance training, and be used as part of a weight loss or weight management routine. On top of building muscle, you’ll often see an improvement in strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination when you use weight resistance training in your fitness routine. Of course, if you’re trying to lose weight you’ll be happy to know that it will increase your metabolism; more muscle means improved metabolism.

In order to effectively use weight resistance training, you have to gradually increase the amount of the weights. You start with whatever weight seems to give you a little bit of a challenge, but not much. Weight resistance training is not about seeing how much weight you can lift at any given time, but about consistency. In time you’ll realize that the weight you’re using is becoming very easy. That’s when you add a few pounds to the amount of weight you’re using, to keep your body adapting and challenged.

Weight resistance training can be done in many ways from using dumbbells (hand weights), free weights, machines, or even your own body (think push-ups). To keep your body adapting and challenged you can do several things. Usually this is done by slightly increasing the weight being lifted. However, you can also increase the number of repetitions or sets, or increase the time of resistance by slowing down the movement (lifting).

If you’re going to start a weight resistant program, it’s best to focus on a certain muscle group of your body. You can take this even further if you play any kind of sport by using the muscle group that is most applicable to the actions you perform while playing. If you like racquetball for instance, consider focusing on your shoulders and increasing the muscle strength there. Over time your muscles will perform the motions that you’ve trained them to do without you even having to really think about it. This is referred to as muscle memory.

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve your overall health and strength, or improve your performance, weight resistance training is always a good choice.