A lot of guys work out. Membership of gyms is on the increase and many people
invest a huge amount of time and effort in their fitness. If you want to build
muscle tone and bulk, do you need to use bodybuilding supplements though?
Most gyms sell bodybuilding supplements but when the prices seem to vary so
wildly it’s hard to know what to buy. If you are going to buy sports supplements,
are there any particularly good sources of discount supplements?

These are many of the questions that are facing guys today who want to
build muscle bulk. The first myth that we need to tackle is that bodybuilding
supplements will, by themselves, make you huge. You will not build muscle tone
and bulk without working hard in the gym. Taking whey protein, for example,
and then sitting in front of the TV will make you fat. Taking whey protein and
then working out hard in the gym (doing the right exercises) will help you to
build muscle. The supplement in this case is simply a fuel that allows you to build
muscle.

So if these supplements don’t work by themselves, do you need them at all? Well,
coming back to the example of whey protein the short answer is no. We can get
protein from meat, eggs, nuts and various natural sources. If you eat enough of
it, you can get the protein that you need that way. The difficulty comes with the
amount of fat that you will also find in natural sources of protein. A whey protein
supplement will give you the maximum protein with the minimum amount of fat.
It won’t turn to muscle by itself, but it would be silly to suggest that getting your
protein in this fashion doesn’t help you develop lean muscle compared to eating
steaks!

So supplements don’t work by themselves, but they do help you to build muscle.
If you are serious about building muscle mass then you should definitely
consider using them. How do you get the right price then? If every gym sells
bodybuilding supplements, you would have to be very lucky to find the best
discount supplements in the gym that you go to. The best place to look for
discount supplements is on the internet, where by using a resource like Google
shopping you can easily find the best price for any supplements that you want to
take.

Don’t be shy about using the guys in your gym as a resource to help you decide
what supplements are going to work best for you though. If your gym sells
supplements it is very likely that the instructors there will know about them.
Frankly it is likely that the instructors there take the supplements themselves.
Take their advice on what supplements, if any, will help you to achieve you
personal goals. Then take yourself into Google and type in the supplement that
you are looking for. Review the Google shopping results and hey presto you will
find the best discount supplements!

BIO

Dan Appleby spends a lot of time in the gym and likes to help others to get
the best out of their workout. Dan loves sharing tips on how using discount
supplements can help you to build muscle mass.

New Year’s resolutions are about as big a tradition as the New Year’s celebration, itself. Unfortunately, they usually only last about that long, too. And what’s the number one, most common New Year’s resolution year after year? You guessed it (probably because it is also yours): to lose weight. That means that year after year, people are committing to a weight loss goal all in the name of the New Year, and then forgetting about that goal once the excitement of the New Year ends and life gets back to “normal.” Not so effective, right? There is a better way, and that better way actually means leaving the whole New Year’s resolution idea behind in favor of something more realistic. The more effective (and statistically more successful) way to make that positive change this year is to set some weight loss goals that have nothing to do with ringing the New Year in. Here are some tips for really accomplishing your dreams of weight loss this year:

Goal setting. It is important that you outline some steps for yourself. One of the reasons New Year’s resolutions are so unsuccessful is that they carry terminology like, “lose weight this year,” with no real plan for action behind them. Your weight loss plan needs to be plotted out and broken into feasible tasks that can be accomplished on both a short-term and long-term basis. For example, your short term goals can include things like increasing your workout time by 10 minutes per week, losing 2 pounds per week, or fitting into that new dress within three months. Longer term goals might include things like finishing a marathon race or getting back to your pre-baby weight.

Looking forward. Instead of “New Year’s” resolutions, your weight loss goals need to be like “new life” resolutions. That means you need to plan on permanently changing your habits and heading into subsequent years with better habits (and a healthier lifestyle) to build on.

Patience. One reason New Year’s resolutions fail is that people get impatient with the actual time and work it takes to accomplish them. That’s because New Year’s resolutions are much more exciting in theory than they are in application. A resolution is an ideal, but not necessarily a plan and commitment. When you set goals, you are more realistic about what is to come, and less likely to lose patience when the going gets tough.

Here are some straight-forward reasons for why you should ditch your New Year’s resolutions altogether and, instead, focus on creating realistic, obtainable goals. Try this approach this year, and you may find that come next New Year, your success enables you to set new goals that have nothing to do with your dress size.

About the Author: Roasrio Lindauer is a personal trainer who enjoys helping his clients set both short and long-term goals. How do you lose weight? By making real lifestyle changes that will last forever – not just until you hit your goal weight.

Pound cake is a desert recipe that has been adopted by several cultures and ethnic groups. If you are Jewish then you know how important Jewish baking recipes are to family celebrations, gab sessions and luncheons, and the pound cake is a star performer that is always welcomed at the table. Unfortunately the traditional Jewish baking recipes used for pound cakes have been altered so much from their original versions, that modern pound cakes just don’t have the flavor they used to.

If you are looking for healthy recipes then Jewish baking recipes like pound cake recipes aren’t what you are looking for. The traditional pound cake recipe uses one pound of each of its four main ingredients: butter, eggs, sugar and flour. In modern terms this means four sticks of butter, 6 eggs, 2 cups of sugar and a pound of flour. If you are concerned about the heft of this cake, then you can substitute these full calorie baking ingredients with lower calorie or lower fat alternatives, however, you will need to be willing to sacrifice some of the flavor and delightful texture created by the original recipe.

Delicious recipes have a tendency to be borrowed from the inventor by other cooks and the pound cake recipe is no exception. You can find pound cake variations throughout Europe and the Americas. Jewish cooking menus often use pound cake as a finale. The French call their pound cake Gateau Quatre-Quarts, the Spanish call their pound cake Queque Seco and the Germans call their pound cake Sandkuchen.

Perfect Jewish recipes for pound cake will create a cake that is moist, but not soggy, that is spongy and that has a mild but distinct taste. Pound cake is a special cake that works great as a stand-alone dessert or as a part of a multi-part dessert. When served alone it can be topped with a glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar, however, it can also be served with ice cream, fresh fruit or a fruit glaze. Pound cake is the perfect conclusion for a Passover meal, a snack, a special dessert or for a luncheon treat.

Pound Cake

What You Will Need

Preheated over set to 375º

Angelfood cake pan

Ingredients

1 package Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix

1 package Instant Yellow Lemon Pudding

4 eggs

¾ cup water

½ cup Wesson Oil

Directions

Beat all ingredients for 5 minutes at medium speed with mixer.

Pour into cake pan.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Cool to room temperature.

Put into refrigerator to chill for 24 hours.

Madeline Binder loves giving away Jewish recipes that are easy and taste great!

In the modern stressful world the home is an oasis of calm and tranquillity where people can escape the daily anxieties of life. However, certain measures can be taken to ensure that the home really is such an oasis and not simply an extension of the stresses and strains found outside the home. By implementing such simple measures the homeowner can optimise the relaxing and refreshing atmosphere found within the home.

Within the bedroom

When it comes to relaxation the bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the home. Ensuring sufficient and effective sleep is absolutely critical to physical and mental refreshment. Therefore it is essential that the bedroom is optimised to ensure a high quality of rest can be achieved each and every night. There are two key ways in which this can be achieved. First and foremost, blackout curtains or made to measure window blinds are essential to creating a dark environment in which sleep is easily achievable. It is possible to buy blackout roller blinds online which can be customised to the exact requirements of the room in question. Secondly, by painting the room in a colour that does not over-stimulate the brain the homeowner will find that room to be much a more relaxing environment in which rest and sleep is easily attainable.

Within the wider home environment

While the bedroom is important to creating an oasis of calm and relaxation within the home, measures can also be implemented elsewhere. Minimising the clutter within the home is a simple yet effective means of alleviating stress. Moreover, organising the home using effective storage methods such as cupboards and shelving will ensure that the home does not become cluttered and that possessions are easy to find when required. This firstly creates a more relaxed atmosphere but secondly prevents peaking in blood pressure!

The use of laminate flooring over carpets can help to create a healthier, more hygienic atmosphere by reducing the presence of dust mites. Finally, the addition of house plants within the home will reduce carbon dioxide levels and increase oxygen levels. This will create a healthier atmosphere that is optimised to the living conditions required by the family. By implementing these measures throughout the home as well as organising and arranging furniture and fittings in a way that is logical and aesthetically pleasing a happy, healthy home can be created.

Without a doubt the stress levels experienced by individuals on a daily basis are increasing exponentially. The anxieties of life and concern for the future combined with high pressure employment can place a great strain upon a person’s mental health. It is therefore essential that the individual has a space where they can relax and escape these pressures. This oasis of calm will create a significant aid to the individual’s mental health and may even avert potential disasters that some face in life. So for happy, healthy home consider the importance of sleep within a restful atmosphere and the importance of a tidy, ordered home.

This article was written by Crispin Jones on behalf of Moonshadow Blinds, who offer blackout roller blinds and made to measure window blinds.

Crispin is prone to bouts of stress, so believes it’s important to keep his home environment as relaxing as possible.

Everyday Health has a new TV series that profiles ordinary people who overcome extraordinary obstacles and who are helping others lead healthier, happier lives.

Episode 5 airs this Saturday, October 1st, on local ABC stations, and features Katie Stagliano, an inspirational 13-year-old girl who founded Katie’s Krops, a movement designed to gets kids to grow food and feed the less fortunate in their communities. Plus, there’s surprise guest Ellie Krieger, New York Times bestselling author and registered dietitian. The show is inspiring and feel good for everyone who participates in the fight against hunger.
For more details on the show, recap episodes and other information, check out:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/tv

Probiotics are everywhere – go to the grocery store or open the refrigerator at work and you’ll see a plethora of foods and supplements containing probiotics, each one touting the ability to boost digestive health.  Commercials on TV state that these products are essential to good overall health, but are they?

These items incorporate “good” bacteria, which could help with digestion and offer protection from harmful bacteria. However, you don’t necessarily need probiotics—these microorganisms perform the same function that the existing “good” bacteria in your body already do. While probiotics aren’t essential, they aren’t harmful, either.

Although further research is needed, there’s evidence that probiotics may:

• Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
• Prevent and treat yeast infections and urinary tract infections
• Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Reduce bladder cancer recurrence
• Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
• Prevent and treat eczema in children
• Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu

Also, more study is needed on the safety of probiotics in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

You can add probiotics to your diet through supplements and foods such as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, and some juices and soy drinks. Product  labels should include a statement that the product contains “live and active cultures,” such as lactobacillus. You may also want to check out the product website for additional information.

Most people can safely add probiotic foods to a healthy diet. If you’re considering taking probiotic supplements, check with your doctor to make sure that the supplements are right for you.

The following tips were brought to you by Dr. Robin Baradarian, a Gastroenterologist from Brooklyn Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Associates.

The health benefits of yogurt have been the talk of the town lately, but do they really live up to the hype?

Yes, is the short answer. Most of its advantages come from active “good” bacteria, or probiotics. This might sound illogical, but the body needs a certain amount of good bacteria in the digestive tract to help with digestion and boost the immune system. This is why your doctor might tell you to eat yogurt with antibiotics, which deplete the amount of good bacteria in your body. (Only yogurts that say “live and active cultures” on the label contain probiotics).

The health benefits of yogurt are considered so impressive that many health-conscious people are making it a daily habit. Here’s a list of five of its health benefits:

Benefit 1: Yogurt May Help Prevent Osteoporosis

Since yogurt comes from milk, it obviously has the same nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D, the combination of which has a clear skeletal benefit.

Benefit 2: Yogurt May Reduce the Risk of High Blood Pressure

A recent study showed a “50% reduction in the risk of developing high blood pressure among people eating 2-3 servings of low-fat dairy a day (or more), compared with those without any intake.” Again, the health benefits of milk are past down to yogurt.

Benefit 3: Yogurt with Active Cultures Helps the Gut

The many gastrointestinal conditions yogurt helps with range from diarrhea and constipation to colon cancer, and even lactose intolerance! These benefits are thought to be due to active cultures that affect the time food takes to go through the bowel and enhance the body’s immune system.

Benefit 4: Yogurt with Active Cultures May Discourage Vaginal Infections

Candida, or “yeast” vaginal infections are a common problem for women with diabetes. A small study found that women who consumed 6 ounces of frozen aspartame-sweetened yogurt a day reported a decrease in Candida infections.

Benefit 5: Yogurt May Help You Feel Fuller

In a study in which men and women ate yogurt or peach snacks, those who ate yogurt reported feeling less hungry and fuller (though the amount of calories was the same in all snacks).

The following tips were brought to you by Dr. Robin Baradarian, a Gastroenterologist from Brooklyn Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Associates.

A common old debate is as to which weight loss method works best. Basically, with trial and error you would be the best judges to that; however when it comes to saving time and effort, you would rather have the one and only method right? If this is the case, then you ought to try and stick with the natural ways to lose weight. Weight loss done the natural way is one of the few methods that offer techniques which are safe, cost-efficient, reliable and effective. It’s quite clear that this is not an easy method to lose weight, but then again weight loss its self is not easy . It only becomes easy when you have a system that works for you and you enjoy doing. Here are some of the tips for natural weight loss.

Always have an outdoor activity

Outdoor activities are exciting and natural. You can achieve a lot health benefits including weight loss. Such activities can include surfing, hiking, camping, mountain climbing and a lot more. You don’t have to spend much for an outdoor outing; you just have to prepare for it.

Don’t worry too much

Another tip to help you lose weight naturally is to not worry too much. Worrying about your weight or the outcome of the plan will only affect your performance. If you are usually stressed out with your diet plan then do something that can relieve t stress. Exercise is known to be a good way to relieve stress. It naturally helps you release serotonin and endorphins, which promote a good feeling. Other ways to avoid worrying too much is to get rid of your weighing scale. Checking frequently your weight and feeling bad about it may not be of help right now. Relax once in a while and don’t feel restricted. If you still love to eat your fast foods or sodas, then do so once in a while.

Enjoy natural meals

Natural meal preparations and recipes can be quite good for you. Experiment with your recipes and add a healthy twist to seemingly ordinary stuff. Add some veggies on your omelet or in your curry. Instead of frying your food, try to go for steaming, baking and grilling. These methods don’t increase the ‘bad’ fat content of food and can be a lot more beneficial for health and potentially foods can have less calories.
Lastly, maintain a positive perception and motivation. You should have a clear vision of your goals and as much as possible use the natural and healthy method. Try your best!

Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean that you have to throw diet and exercise out the window! In fact, with a few smart moves, you can make you next vacation extremely healthy – and fun as well. Being healthy doesn’t have to mean that you stress out about every bite you take or spend your entire day in the gym. Health vacations can be happy too.

First, think about your destination and the activities you have planned. If you’re used to exercising every day to stay on track, a spa or beach vacation with little planned as far as physical activity might not be a good choice. Instead, look for a vacation where exercise can be a part of the fun. Book a camping trip in the mountains that includes daily hiking, make plans to go snorkeling, or even choose a theme park vacation where there will be tons of walking all day. Or, if you do want a relaxing vacation where you get to soak up the sun, set aside some time every morning for exercising – but instead of heading to your hotel’s cramped gym, go for a run by the water or do some laps in the pool. Exercising doesn’t have to ruin your vacation; it can be a fun part of your vacation.

Food is often a problem while traveling. With so many temptations, it can be difficult to make smart choices. Here are a few tips you can consider:

• Skip alcoholic beverages when possible. If you must drink, avoid cream-based drinks like pina coladas and instead choose light beers, wine, or mixed drinks made with seltzer water or diet soda.
• Look for buffets. This way, you can fill your plate with veggies and lean meats instead of potatoes and pasta.
• Substitute carb-loaded side dishes. Most restaurants will gladly switch out French fries for their vegetable of the day.
• Be smart when you indulge. You don’t have to skip dessert completely, but choose sorbet instead of ice cream or fruit-based choices instead of chocolate cake. In addition, you can ask if there are any sugar-free options available – many restaurants carry these items, even though they aren’t on the regular menu.
• Pack some healthy snacks. When you have some granola bars or trail mix from home in your bag, you’ll be less tempted to pick up a candy bar or other high-fat food hen you get the munchies.

Lastly, when you’re on vacation, make sure you plan some down time! You don’t have to spend every single moment of your vacation doing something. Getting enough sleep is super important to living a healthy life, so make sure that you plan for eight hours of sleep every night and time to rest throughout the day.

This guest post is from Allison with TravelInsurance.org, where you can go to learn about travel insurance and why this is an important part of planning a healthy vacation.

Do you always feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Do you feel stressed because you don’t know how you are going to complete a long list of tasks in a limited amount of time? These feelings of unease may be adding unnecessary stress to your life! Whether or not you are a Type A personality, having a solid routine (at least during the work week) can help you accomplish greater tasks in a more manageable way. Here are 4 tips on creating a routine for your regular work day. You will be surprised how good it feels to finish up everything you need to do on a regular basis!  In addition to alleviating your high stress levels, these tips can help you incorporate healthy habits into your routine.

BUY SOME SORT OF SCHEDULING DEVICE

If you are more old-fashioned, or you simply enjoy writing in a diary or planner, buy yourself a planner or scheduling book! Otherwise, you can use the calendar on your iPhone/iPad/or laptop. These days, even your Gmail account has a scheduling calendar, in which you can schedule events and plans down to the 15 minute mark! I use my iPhone calendar to schedule events, and I write notes on the iPhone notepad for various self-reminders.

WRITE YOUR SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT DAY BEFORE YOU GO TO BED

So, in order to make your routine a habit, you should write out a schedule before you go to bed! Spend the last ten minutes of your day thinking about what you would like to do the following day/week. Incorporate any large task you need to complete. Do you need to go to the grocery store? Are you meeting friends for dinner? Do you need to make a phone call to your landlord for some repairs? Add all of these events into your calendar, including your important work projects! This way, you won’t be rushing to figure out what you need to do. More importantly, you will be able to remember everything you have to get done. I even incorporate my showers, breaks, meal times, and phone calls into my schedule!

INCORPORATE YOUR HEALTH INTO YOUR SCHEDULE

Be sure to incorporate your exercise routine into your schedule. If you are about to start a new workout regime, it can be helpful to write your plan down. This will help you stay consistent and faithful to your plan. If you usually don’t eat breakfast before work, add in an extra fifteen minutes in the morning to eat a bowl of oatmeal or even a granola bar! Take time to get a massage once a week or a manicure or pedicure! If you make taking care of your health an OFFICIAL priority, you are more likely to stick to the task!

CROSS OUT TASKS AS YOU FINISH THEM

You may think this is my Type A personality talking, but it can be therapeutic for people to see how much they have accomplished in a day. Cross out tasks as you complete them, or review your day’s schedule before you go to bed. How much did you get done? Is your schedule realistic? Do you need to make adjustments? These are all important things you should consider. If you plan to stay dedicated to a routine, you should make one you can follow on a daily basis! Good luck!

By-line:
Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about accredited online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.