Pet Your Way to
a Longer, Happier Life

Reams of research, testimonials, and case studies can’t all be wrong. The company of a pet can elevate your mood, lower your blood pressure, compel you to exercise, give you an active social life, and drive away the blues — all signs of a healthy lifestyle.

Top 7 Reasons Why Pets Are Sometimes Better Than Your Doctor

• Regular exercise

  Exercise is the number one reason why people with pets tend to have healthier lives than those who don’t have pets. A dog takes walks very seriously, so you can’t skip this routine. And you benefit because of the regular exercise.

• Love and responsibilities:

  Some people take better care of themselves when they are responsible for the care of someone else. Having a pet is like having a child to look after. So pet owners tend to be more aware of the importance of diet & exercise and be more alert for signs of illness.

  And what better stress-buster could you find than a non-judgmental, affectionate, and comforting pet that welcomes you home.

• Boost your immune system

  A roll in the grass and a jog is good for both your dog and you. The fresh air and the rush of exercise benefits the immune system gives you a boost in energy.

• Laughing it off

  Pets are very entertaining, and by watching their antics and talking about them, pets encourage us to look at the lighter side of life. And of course, laughing it off is another proven stress buster.

• Getting over trauma

  In old-age homes, orphanages, hospitals and rehabilitation centers, therapy dogs and other pets are used to supplement post-trauma care. Their presence is found to be soothing, comforting and leads to a faster healing process. Studies have found that post-operative care is more successful for those with pets.

• It’s all in the head

  Pet owners feel healthy. They report high energy levels, a more laid back lifestyle, and a greater appreciation of the important things in life.

• Fighting the blues

  After retirement, pets provide the impetus to people to get out and have an active social life. Visiting the park, going shopping, and pet sitting with friends are all effective in banishing depression and loneliness. A sense of security develops over time, with people depending on their pets to anchor them through emotional upheavals.

A word of caution

Caring for a pet is no less difficult or expensive than caring for a child. So this is not for the busy sales executive or those who are out of town for most of the year. You have to set aside time and space to bring home a pet. Once you do be prepared to invest some time training your pet and making it feel happy and loved.

That said, there’s no doubt that pets can sniff out the livelier, healthier side of you.

Photo credit:CJ Sorg

Tags: antiaging, dogs, pets
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The Benefits of Walking

Walking: Makes You Live A Longer & Healthier Life

Nothing beats walking

Walking is not just one of the earliest forms of exercise you learn, it is rather efficient as well. Not only does it get you to Point B, it also relieves fatigue, clears the mind, controls weight, cures insomnia and increases bone mass.

Walking is the best overall exercise according to experts and numerous studies. If done correctly, this low-impact exercise has several long-term benefits.

Walking Increases bone mass

While eating right certainly helps, weight-bearing exercises such as walking can increase bone mass. Walking is as good as running, if not safer. Stick to a regular regime once you get started – walking for at least 20 minutes and more than thrice a week.

However, you have to be patient, it takes a lot of time to see its benefits.

The good news? No one is too old to get started and menopausal women find that this is a great way of strengthening bones.

Walking Alleviates Constipation

Walking stimulates muscles all over the body and increases blood circulation, especially in the stomach. Pregnant women adapt easily to this as a kind of light workout.

Walking Keeps a Check on Diabetes

Brisk walking helps Type II diabetics by leading to weight loss. If you walk at least a mile everyday, you would be burning close to 100 calories and after a year you would have lost close to 10 pounds.

It also helps improve blood-sugar control. Compared to those who lead relatively sedentary lifestyles, those who walk regularly find that insulin is efficiently absorbed by the body.

Walking Gets Rid of Insomnia

Insomnia can disturb the delicate balance of your body and lead to changes in your hormones. However, walking in the late afternoon or early in the evening tires your muscles, increases blood circulation and raises the body temperature. Once you get home, the temperature begins to fall, making you feel sleepy. Coupled with the right diet, walking can help alleviate sleeplessness.

Walking Relieves Sinusitis

Most people suffering from sinusitis feel some kind of relief when they are active in a normal environment. Indeed, any form of exercise releases adrenalin in the body that constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling in the sinuses. Walking is one such kind of exercise that relieves the problems caused due to sinusitis.

Walking Cures Varicose veins

Sitting or standing for too long makes the blood pool in your lower extremities. But walking can prevent this. Studies have shown that adults who lead sedentary lifestyles were more likely to have varicose veins than those who walked at least twice in a day.

Walking Helps Preventing Arterial & Heart Disease

Walking briskly increases the protective HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the body, this in turn strengthens the heart and helps in controlling weight.

Walking Also Relieves Pain

Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers are released as a person works out. This effect lasts for several hours and can be made to last for longer if the exercise time is staggered through the day — 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the late afternoon.

Walking Beats Cellulite

Walking tightens the muscles and improves body tone. It also boosts the circulation of lymph in the body which would have otherwise led to an accumulation of fats in the tissues.

Walking Tips

Read your body’s signals before you embark on a long walk, always warm up if you have just had a meal. Check your blood pressure and heartbeat rate before and after. Do not push yourself too far, rather work gradually towards taking longer and longer walks. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes. If you find someone to accompany you on the walks, it serves two purposes, one, you keep your mind off worrying about not doing it right, two, if while talking you are short of breath it is an indicator that you are pushing yourself too hard.

Image Credit: Trailnet

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The Power of Mediterranean Diets

Mediterranean Diet: Yummy Food with High Fat Content - but without the Fat related Cardiovascular Diseases

Would you like to eat fatty foods and yet live long? Then read this post below in its entirety.

The Paradox of Mediterranean Diets

Have you ever wondered how come the Greek Gods were able to maintain their fabulous physiques? The answer may have been the Mediterranean Diet – which is based on the dietary patterns of the Mediterranean countries.

This diet is often considered to be a paradox: Although the people living in Mediterranean countries tend to consume relatively high amounts of fat, they have far lower rates of cardiovascular disease than in countries like the United States, where similar levels of fat consumption are found.

One of the explanations for this could be the use of olive oil in the Mediterranean Diet. Unlike other cooking oils, olive oil lowers the cholesterol level in the blood. It reduces the blood sugar levels and blood pressure as well.

Here are some of the characteristics of the Mediterranean Diet:

• Food is mainly comprised of plant sources such as fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds

• The diet consists of minimally processed foods. It includes fruits and vegetables in large quantities

• Olive oil is used mainly in cooking. It is the main source of fat instead of other non-healthy products.

• Dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt are consumed in small amounts on a daily basis

• Red meat is consumed only a couple of times a month

• Eggs are consumed not more than 4 times per week

• Fish and chicken are consumed only one to three times a week. However, fish is preferred over chicken

• Wine is consumed in moderation, mostly with meals

• Honey is the main sweetener

Here are a few simple tips to help you follow the Mediterranean Diet:

• First of all, replace your regular vegetable cooking oil with olive oil, which is easily available at most stores and supermarkets.

• Reduce your red meat intake. You could substitute it with chicken or fish instead.

• Have fish once or twice a week. Choose from salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel and herring.

• Increase your intake of fruits. For dessert you could have a bowl of fresh fruit. Choose from a variety of fruits.

• Keep nuts such as almonds, hazel nuts, & walnuts handy for a quick snack.

• Reduce your consumption of eggs. When baking cakes and other goodies, use

Suitable alternatives instead of eggs.

• Use whole grain products instead of white flour products. For example: Replace your usual bread with brown bread.

• Choose natural peanut butter instead of the variety with hydrogenated fat added. Also, use butter sparingly.

• Reduce your consumption of high-fat dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt.

• Enjoy a glass of red wine along with your meals. (You should check with your doctor first)

• Use honey as a sweetener in your cookies and desserts.

Image credit: Somewhat Frank

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Chia - Aztec Power Food

Chia Seeds - Power Foods of the Aztecs & The Mayans

If you subscribe to any number of health related newsletters, you’re frequently presented with the latest “new discovery” which claims to be the secret to longer life, better health, etc. Now, please don’t take me wrong, there are lots of new things being discovered that may very well improve your health.

But, consider this. There are many centenarians living today who made it there before the latest “new discovery”. So, it pays to critically examine these claims.

The Case of the Chia Seeds

One product being highly promoted lately is called Salba®. The story goes that the Aztecs and Mayans used the simple grain chia (Salvia hispanica) as a basic survival food to sustain them on long marches. Because it was also used in religious ceremonies, their Spanish conquerors almost wiped it out.

Benefits of Chia

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, chia is:

• 16 percent protein
• 31 percent fat
• and 44 percent carbohydrate
• of which 38 percent is fiber.
• Most of its fat is the essential omega-3 fatty acid - alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
• It’s also high in antioxidants… as much as 8 times higher than blueberries.

This mild tasting grain can be consumed directly with no cooking or processing. Its nutty taste is great on yogurt, salads, added to muffins, pancakes… you name it. For breakfast, I typically stir about a teaspoon of the whole grain into a half-cup of plain yogurt with a little honey, applesauce, or fresh fruit. I’ve found it sustains me all morning. On days when I only have a piece of fruit instead, I find my stomach starts getting that hollow feeling about 10:00 am.

So, as you can see, I’m impressed by chia. And I did make my first purchase of it under the brand name Salba®.

Problem:
Some Chia Is Too Expensive!

The problem is Salba® is expensive. A 16 oz bottle (which only contains 12.7 oz of chia) retails for $24.95 plus shipping. According to their website, Salba® is superior to common chia. But is this claim true?

Solution:
Chia Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

According to Wayne Coates, Ph.D., who recently retired as research professor in the Office of Arid Lands Studies at the University of Arizona, it isn’t. Dr. Coates is author of the definitive book on the subject, Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztecs (The University of Arizona Press, 2005). In a large part, he is responsible for the revival of chia as a commercial crop in Latin America. Dr. Coates continues to pursue research on this remarkable grain that is superior to other plant and marine sources of essential omega-3 oils.

Dr Coates also says there is no significant difference between white and black chia and has a comparison chart to prove it. As for as organic claims, he says insects don’t attack chia, so it doesn’t have to be sprayed. It’s mechanically harvested and needs no treatment at all.

Action Plan:

• Add chia to your home survival kit – it requires no refrigeration and has a long shelf life
• Add 1-4 teaspoons to your daily diet as a superior source of antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids.
• Compare prices online for chia seeds
• Don’t go after a brand name. Buy the generic chia seeds. They are as good as the expensive branded ones.

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Weightless Exercise Without Space Travel

As we grow older many body parts tend to well… sag. And the health and beauty industry have made fortunes with products that claim to reverse this process - at least temporarily. From $45 or more for the latest facial in a bottle to expensive spa treatments only afforded by the Hollywood elite, to tummy tucks and breast enhancements, there seems no end to the ways you can spend your money on treatments of dubious value.

Since most of this sag is directly related to the effects of gravity, one might think jumping on the next space flight might be just the ticket. After all, there’s no gravity in space, right? But, you’d be wrong…

Weightlessness Causes Similar Problems To Aging

You see life on earth evolved in the presence of gravity, and NASA has discovered many problems result in the human body in the weightlessness of space travel. And all of these problems are also present in aging.

• Cardiovascular deconditioning
• Balance disorders
• Weakening bones and muscles
• Disturbed sleep
• Depressed immune response

To top it off, Science Daily reports on a study done at Georgetown University Medical Center that indicates space radiation may cause prolonged cellular damage to astronauts. Beyond that, this damage could result in premature aging and an increased risk of colon cancer.

Now that your hopes of buying a house in space and living forever are crushed, what can you do?

Does Exercise Work?

There’s little doubt exercise can be of value, but it’s not easy. My wife who is on the downhill slide of her 40s complains the sags are persistent. This despite doing Pilates, weight workouts, and jogging 3 times a week for over a year.

So whats one to do?

Combining Weightlessness and Yoga: AntiGravity Yoga

I don’t know if it’s possible to do yoga in space, but Christopher Harrison has created AntiGravity Yoga. AntiGravity Yoga is a fitness regime designed to increase one’s overall health and physical agility while having fun and creating beauty. The benefits listed on their website include:

• Decompress tight joints, relieving pressure while aligning the vertebrae of the spine without strain
• Perform advanced yoga inversions without neck or back compression
• Hold challenging yoga postures longer and in correct alignment
• Stretch further with less strain
• Create better body awareness while increasing overall agility

AntiGravity Yoga is done with using the AntiGravity Hammock, which acts as a soft trapeze, supporting you as you master simple suspension techniques leading to advanced inverted poses. But unfortunately, just like space travel, it’s not available to everyone.

AntiGravity Yoga movement called “Wings” is started by and remains exclusive to Crunch Gyms. But currently AntiGravity Yoga classes are only available in LA, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, & New York City. If you live near one of these, you can get more information by visiting the AntiGravity Yoga website.

At this time it appears they have no “home version” of the antigravity yoga. But we’ll keep an eye out for home versions of antigravity yoga. And let you know about it.

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How Garlic Keeps Away Diseases

Garlic - Fights Cold, Chest Infections, Heart Attacks & Cancer

Garlic? Seriously?

Garlic equals bad breath; raw garlic equals really bad breath. With this equation firmly entrenched in our mind it is no wonder that this herb has received bad press over the years. However, the medicinal benefits of garlic remain largely undisputed.

One of the first herbs to be recognized for its therapeutic abilities, garlic was considered divine in Egypt. Even though most western countries shunned it for a very long time, this pungent bulb now has an ever-growing tribe of believers.

Garlic: Cheap and Effective Medicine

Garlic is useful not just in the kitchen but also in your medicine kit. It can thin blood just like aspirin and can therefore prevent heart attacks.

It prevents arteries from clogging, and reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is also used liberally in soups to clear up a cold or chest infections. It is also used to treat intestinal worms and fungal infections, and not just in humans.

The most important thing is that garlic is said to have anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that it can prevent digestive cancers, breast and prostate cancer.

All this at only 4 calories per clove, which is not bad at all, but eating too much raw garlic can result in heartburn, flatulence and diarrhoea and sometimes, skin rashes.

Why Is Garlic Smelly?

Garlic contains more than a hundred sulphur compounds but has a fairly neutral smell until it is cut or crushed. On doing so, one of the compounds it releases is alliin, which turns into allicin that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and lungs. Allicin ensures that garlic is kept safe from soil parasites and fungi and it is also guilty of the pungent smell that most people cannot stand.

However, this compound is invaluable because of its anti-microbial properties; it can kill 23 types of bacteria, including salmonella and staphylococcus. In fact, the more you chop or crush garlic, the more you reap its benefits.

Unfortunately, smelly allicin makes its way out through exhaled air and perspiration, which brings us back to the bad breath.

Beating Bad Breath

Cooked garlic doesn’t smell too bad, especially if you also add lots of parsley or coriander. This might not work if you plan on having lots of garlic. Note however, that allicin starts to lose its powers almost as soon as it is produced, so it is a good idea to add garlic in the dish just before you serve it.

As the fear of drug-resistant bacteria grips the world, garlic steps up as the likely saviour. It seems that bacteria would be unable to fight allicin without completely changing its enzymes that cause various diseases.

So, on your pizzas, in soups, in stir-fry veggie dishes and just plain fried in butter, don’t just turn your nose up against garlic, it’s there for a pretty good reason.

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The Power of Prunes

Did you know prunes were once considered almost as precious as salt in Europe. And that people would even work for prunes. In the 15th Century, the French even had a phrase for this: “travailler pour des prunes”. To this day, they are considered a delicacy in France and other parts of Europe. Expensive vintage Ports are described as being “superbly integrated with lush prune and raisin nuances” or “multifaceted aromatics led by smoky prunes”.

Not Just Your Grandmother’s Fruit Anymore

Prunes aka dried plums need no longer be relegated to the backbench of culinary fruits only available as a rather bland stewed side dish for breakfast. Instead you might want to try them in such exotic ways as prune and Armagnac(brandy) ice cream or serve them with a citrus fruit like kumquats or oranges, or even with chocolate. Some people even describe the moister prunes now available as being better than chocolate. More about that later…

Although prunes have long been known for their value in promoting regularity and preventing constipation due in part to the high fiber content, research has now shown they have many remarkable health benefits.

• Prunes are an excellent source of potassium, a nutrient important to our bodies for muscle strength. This is of particular concern as regards our heart muscle… So much so that doctors routinely check your level of potassium when doing blood tests. Even a slight downward deviation from the norm, can be very serious.

• Because prunes are also low in sodium they can promote lower blood pressure. A 4-year study of 40,000 professional men who ate diets higher in potassium, magnesium and cereal fiber showed a substantially reduced risk of stroke.

• Prunes also help reduce cholesterol

• They play an important role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels, making them an excellent food for those who have (or are at risk of developing) Type II diabetes.

• As it ferments in the intestine prune fiber provides food for friendly bacteria.

• Just a quarter cup of prunes will provide 16.9% of the daily value of Vit. A and 9% of the daily value of copper.

• High in antioxidants that will help reduce the damage of free radicals

• Because their soluble fiber promotes a sense of satisfied fullness after a meal, prunes can also help prevent overeating.

Natural Cancer Prevention by Consuming Prunes

• In a Swedish study of 51,823 postmenopausal women conducted over 8.3 years, it was shown the risk of breast cancer can be reduced as much as 50% with a diet high in fruit and cereal fiber. And prunes is a perfect fruit with high fiber content.

• The fiber in prunes can reduce risk for colon cancer and hemorrhoid problems.

• Research by Tufts University and USDA scientists placed prunes and raisins atop a list of the best cancer-fighting fruits. Recommended amount – ½ cup daily

Natural Treatment for Osteoporosis

According to a recent article, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, prunes may help combat osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is common in postmenopausal women, which results in the bones becoming brittle creating a higher risk for fractures.

In two separate studies Florida State University scientists have been looking at how the antioxidants in prunes work in the body to promote the enzymes responsible for bone formation.

While the studies are on going, considering the other nutritional values of prunes it certainly would be wise to make them a part of your regular diet.

Healthy Ways to Enjoy Prunes

• Stuff them with your favorite nuts for a filling low calorie snack

• Add them to pancakes and muffins

• Substitute them for dates in Date Nut Bread

• Stuff them with cheese

• Make a fruit salad with prunes, oranges or other citrus fruits, and fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. Leave out the sugar and use plain yogurt. If you prefer it a little sweeter drizzle on a small amount of honey.

• Make your own healthy trail mix with prunes, roasted almonds, sunflower seeds and unsweetened chocolate nibs.

• Create a cinnamon spiced orange sauce with walnuts and prunes to serve over oatmeal or polenta. You can find this delightful recipe at whfoods.

Store your prunes in an airtight container. They require no refrigeration but will keep up to 6 months in the refrigerator. When shopping for prunes look for them in a see through container so you can evaluate the quality. They should be plump and shiny. Look for prunes that are dried to 35% humidity instead of the more normal 21-23%. At 35% humidity, no rehydration is needed. They can even be frozen this way. Because of the high sugar content, they won’t freeze solid and can be eaten straight from the freezer.

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FDA Bans Safer & Cheaper Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy

Disclosure: This post asks you to take 10 minutes of your time and help a good cause that could restrict FDA’s flaunting and mis-using its power. Read on…

1. The Problem: FDA Takes Action Against Compounded Menopause Hormone Therapy Drugs

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has limited the rights of women to seek natural hormone alternatives instead of synthetic drugs (which are created from horse urine). Compounded drugs are specifically personalized to each patient by their doctor and carefully prepared by licensed pharmacists. The chemicals used in these compounds are molecularly identical to hormones produced by the human body. They are usually safer too. But yet the FDA has banned them.

2. The Start of the Problem

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals makes Premarin and Prempro - synthetic drugs.

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health specifically linked these two drugs to increased risk of stroke, breast cancer, and heart attack. As a result, sales of these 2 drugs dropped by 68%! The beneficiaries were compounded natural hormone therapy drugs.

So Wyeth Pharmaceuticals responds by sending a “citizens petition” to the FDA requesting action against natural hormonal therapy for women.

3. The FDA Bias to Take Bad Action

In an unprecedented ethical conflict of interest, the FDA receives a cut (called drug user fees) from the pharmaceutical companies based on the number of drugs they sell. Since the states and not the federal government regulate compounding pharmacies, they don’t have to pay the FDA.

And because natural hormones cannot be patented, there is comparatively little financial incentive to the drug companies to bring them to the market.

So despite an outpouring of support for natural hormonal therapy from doctors, patients and pharmacists the FDA heeded to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals citizens petition and made the move to ban bio-identical hormone therapy.

4. Is There a Solution to This FDA Problem?

In a key first step toward reigning in the FDA’s actions against women’s health, Congress has introduced House Concurrent Resolution 342 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 88. This resolution calls upon the FDA to stop their new policy of restricting women’s access to prescriptions containing estriol, a natural hormone that has been prescribed for women in the US for over 20 years.

So What Can You Do To Help?

• Write your senators and congressmen.

• Send letters to your local newspaper. (You can send this post along with your letter too.)

• Ask your friends and family to get involved.

• The Health Freedom Foundation has made this easy for you at http://ga4.org/campaign/Estriol_Resolution

Also…

• Please send this post to your friends.

• Vote for it at StumbleUpon.com and other social media websites and help us spread the message.

Thank You!

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Does Your Doctor Know Your Real Blood Pressure?

Tips On How To Be In Better Control of Your Blood Pressure Even When You Go to the Doctor

Things You Should be Aware of While Testing Your Blood Pressure

Have you ever thought about the fact your blood pressure can vary significantly during the day depending on your level of stress? And stressors can come in many forms, such as…

• Stimulants like a cup of coffee, a can of Mountain Dew, the latest “power drink” or a cigarette

• Maybe you worked all day before your appointment

• Or you failed to have a restful night’s sleep because you were a bit anxious about the appointment

• Someone cut you off in traffic, or you were late because of road construction

• Your boss just told you you’re working Saturday (and you were planning to go fishing)

And what if the person taking your blood pressure is lazy, or hasn’t the necessary training to understand the importance of being accurate, or worse, just doesn’t really care. Think this can’t happen? It certainly can (and does). When I was finishing up my nurse’s training, I was assigned to shadow the nurse in an OB/GYN clinic. Specifically I was there to learn more about prenatal care. I watched the LPN take one blood pressure after another as these pregnant women came in for their appointments. The blood pressures she wrote down didn’t vary 10 points in the readings. For this to happen with 16 patients is a statistical anomaly. In other words, the likelihood of all these readings being accurate is very slim.

Because these readings were also in the “normal” range, they were unlikely to be checked by the doctor. And in many health care settings, even abnormal readings are rarely rechecked unless there is another reason. This means you could have a blood pressure reading high enough for your doctor to prescribe a medication that either isn’t accurate or isn’t normal for you in a less stressful situation.

So what can you do about it?

6 Ways You Can Be in Better Control of Your Blood Pressure

1. Listen to classical music just before going into your doctors appointment. One study showed just 3 minutes of classical music will lower your blood pressure to pre-stress levels (add some deep breathing and it will plummet even faster). If you happen to have a portable CD or digital music player, take your tunes in with you

2. Meditate for a few minutes before your appointment taking deep slow breaths

3. Take a leisurely walk

4. Use visual imagery – imagine yourself sitting in a high mountain meadow of wild flowers on the side of pristine lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks. Now change the season to winter where you’re enveloped with absolute quiet.

5. Ask to sit in a regular chair in the exam room when you have your blood pressure taken

6. And most important of all – know your normal everyday blood pressure..

How To Know More About Your Blood Pressure Than Your Doctor

Go to your local pharmacist and have them recommend the right size blood pressure cuff for you. Yes size matters. If your arm is small, you need a small cuff. The same applies if your arm is larger than normal. Tell them you want to monitor your own blood pressure at home. Avoid cheap equipment, especially if you decide to purchase an electronic blood pressure cuff. In my experience most of the cheaper models are unreliable. Remember, you want accuracy. After all, it’s your health. Right?

It’s really not too difficult to take your own blood pressure with a manual cuff, but if you just feel uncomfortable or prefer to use an electronic model, I suggest you check out Omron Healthcare Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor with ComFit Cuff.

However you decide to do it, blood pressure is composed of 2 numbers, the systolic and the diastolic. The systolic reading is the pressure created against the artery walls when your heart beats. The diastolic is the resting pressure between beats. Although blood pressure is generally considered normal in a 10-point range either side of 120/80, everyone is different. So it’s important to know your normal range.

Once you’ve decided on a machine, make a commitment to take your own blood pressure regularly at home. Choose a quiet time, preferably the same time each day you take it. Be sure you’re rested and haven’t had any strenuous exercise, stimulants or depressants like alcohol for at least 30-60 minutes. Take two or three readings over about 15 minutes and record them in a journal with the date. Average the results of readings over two or three days a week. You’ll then know your real resting blood pressure. The next time you visit your doctor, bring along your journal for comparison.

Image Credit: ahhyeah

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3 Natural Skin Care Recipes for Younger Wrinkle-Free Skin

Use these skin care recipes to make your skin smoother and younger

Aging is a natural process and no one can stop it (yet) but we can definitely slow down the aging process and age gracefully. This post shares some do-it-yourself (DIY) recipes that can help you get rid of Wrinkles, Saggy and Dull Skin.

Benefit of these DIY Skin Care Recipes

• They are tried and tested and work very well
• They are safe and natural
• And most importantly, they’ll save you a lot of money

Recipe 1: Milk Cream, Sandalwood and Turmeric Face Pack

This face pack nourishes and tightens skin, heals adult acne, lightens age spots, cools skin and brings glow to your face.

• Sandalwood has cooling and skin tightening properties
• Milk cream nourishes your skin
• Turmeric is known for its anti-bacterial and skin brightening properties

Preparation

Take one tablespoon sandalwood powder, a pinch of turmeric powder and one tablespoon milk cream. (Boil some milk for about ten minutes and let it cool for sometime, you will be able to see a thick layer of cream on the top). Mix it together and apply on your face. Rinse off after fifteen minutes

Note: Turmeric can stain your cloth so make sure you don’t wear any light colored cloth while applying this mask.

Recipe 2: Coffee and Plum Exfoliator

• Coffee exfoliates and revitalizes your skin and has anti aging properties
• Plum is another effective antioxidant

So this combination of coffee and plum works great in getting rid of the oldest dead skin cells and makes a wonderful anti aging exfoliator.

Preparation

Take one tablespoon fine ground coffee and mix it with 3 mashed plums and one teaspoon honey. Apply it on your face and gently scrub off after ten minutes.

Recipe 3: Green Tea and Chamomile Toner

Green Tea and Chamomile is a very effective anti aging toner. This toner not only takes care of signs of aging but also soothes puffy eyes and lightens your complexion.

Preparation

Boil one cup water and steep one green tea bag and one Chamomile tea bag. Let it cool for sometime. Apply it on your face with the help of a cotton ball. Do NOT rinse.

If you follow these recipes religiously it can easily take 10-15 years off your face!

This is a guest post by Leon. If you want to read more DIY anti aging skin care recipes, visit her website.

Picture Credit: Laurafries

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