Benefits of Fasting

Ramadan is the time of religious fasting for muslims. It means one month of fasting and then breaking the fast with your family and friends. More and more people are fasting not only during Ramadan. Fasting has long been only associated with religious rituals and diets. Research even shows routine periodic fasting is also good for your health. Many people don't know about the impacts of fasting on the body, so here some effects of fasting on your body:

1. Brain function
 
Short-term fasting might trigger autophagy, the progress when cells recycle waste material, downregulate wasteful processes, and repair themselves. Fasting can increase levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is a protein that interacts with the parts of the brain that regulate memory, learning, and higher cognitive function. Low levels of BDNF might be connected to Alzheimer's.

2. Fasting Helps Weight loss
 
It decreases caloric intake and lowers weight gain. Moreover, it might decrease the risk of metabolic disease. In addition, It can increases fat burning while sparing lean mass.

3. Fasting Improves Insulin Sensitivity
 
Intermittent fasting helps to improve insulin sensitivity and to reduce insulin resistance.
Fasting causes hunger or stress. In response, the body releases more cholesterol, allowing it to utilise fat as a source of fuel, instead of glucose. The fewer fat cells a body has, the less likely it will experience insulin resistance, or diabetes. It can lower the risk of coronary artery, too.

4. Cholesterol, triglyceride and ghrelin
 
Fasting raises good and bad cholesterol.
Triglyceride levels decrease which reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Fasting increases the level of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) to encourage overeating.

5. Fasting Promotes Longevity
 
Believe it or not, the less you eat the longer you will live. Studies have shown how the lifespan of people in certain cultures increased due to their diets. However, we don’t need to live amongst a foreign community to reap the benefits of fasting. One of the primary effects of ageing is a slower metabolism, the younger your body is, the faster and more efficient your metabolism. The less you eat, the less toll it takes on your digestive system.

6. Fasting Helps Clear The Skin and Prevent Acne
 
Fasting can help clear the skin because with the body temporarily freed from digestion, it’s able to focus its regenerative energies on other systems.

Not eating anything for just one day has shown to help the body clean up the toxins and regulate the functioning of other organs of the body like liver, kidneys and other parts.

7. Fasting Improves Immune System
 
Intermittent fasting improves the immune system because it reduces free radical damage, regulates inflammatory conditions in the body and starves off cancer cell formation.

In nature, when animals get sick they stop eating and instead focus on resting. This is a primal instinct to reduce stress on their internal system so their body can fight off infection. We humans are the only species who look for food when we are ill, even when we do not need it.

9 Tips to be a Pro at Work

Success at work as a professional requires continued effort and dedication. If you’re a Muslim who works in a non-Muslim environment, you may find some situations more challenging, especially when your work requirements conflict with your values and religious obligations. Below are 9 quick tips that can set you on the right track to success in the workplace, In sha Allah.

1. Know Yourself

• Honestly complete your own SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis vis-à-vis your job and organization.
• Find strengths to exploit, weaknesses to work on, weaknesses to hide, opportunities to go after and threats to manage.
• Understand how each of these may impact your career.
• For example, if public speaking is your weakness, you can either decide that it is an important skill to have and choose to work on it by taking public speaking classes, or you can find a way to avoid ever having to do public speaking.

2. Focus on Your Own Success

• Find role models a level or two above you and emulate their good traits.
• Set your personal performance goals based on standards for the next level.
• Understand your value to the organization and work on increasing it.
• Always be well-prepared and never be caught off-guard in a meeting.
• An internal locus of control is an important trait in all successful people. You control your own destiny.

3. Focus on the Solutions

• Never take just a problem or an issue to your team or supervisor; always suggest one or more possible (and plausible) solutions as well.
• If you cannot think of any solutions to your problems, ask your peers before you ask your supervisor.
• If you still cannot come up with a solution, explain to the supervisor the effort undertaken to find a solution.

4. Know the Opinion Leaders

• Never have a high opinion of your own work; it does not mean much and it inhibits continuous improvement.
• Ensure that your team appreciates your true value and commitment to your work.
• If you are not being recognized, either your work is not up to par, or it is perceived as such; both are equally bad. Take action to change that.

5. Find and Engage Mentors

• Have multiple mentors, both at your workplace and outside.
• Have frank discussions with mentors on your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
• Have your mentors at work watch out for your best interests (e.g. in performance review meetings or promotion decisions).

6. Have a Support Network

• Find a diverse group of team members that like you and/or think highly of your work.
• Ensure that they watch out for your best interests by watching out for their best interests.
• Help them whenever they need it so they can help you when you need it.
• Use your network to be in the know.
• Never be the last one to find out important information affecting your career.

7. Lose Neither the Forest Nor the Trees

• Be detail-oriented in your work and try to avoid small/sloppy mistakes (e.g. spelling, grammar, calculation).
• Be objective-oriented in your outlook (i.e. know the value of your work and what it needs to accomplish).
• In client service, the key question always is: are we adding value to the client? If not, sooner or later we will be exposed.

8. Never Compromise Your Values

• Ensure that those you work with know your value system and/or religious obligations.
• Make it non-negotiable but at the same time a non-issue (i.e. assure the team that your religious obligations wont compromise the quality of your work).
• Find halal alternatives for teaming instead of ignoring it.
• For example, if teaming at your work primarily happens through after-work drinks, find opportunities to have lunch and coffee with team members on a much more frequent basis.

9. Always Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

• As Muslims, our goal is the Hereafter, so understand and be motivated by how your work helps you achieve that.
• A good Dunya-Aakhirah Balance means never compromising on the Aakhirah, not merely doing some good deeds to balance the scales.
• Seek out ways to do da’wah through your personal excellence and through making yourself available to discussions.

Source: http://productivemuslim.com

29 Recipes That Prove Clean Eating Can Be Easy and Delicious

Clean eating is one of those trendy terms people like to throw out there—and nobody really knows what it means. So we find ourselves asking if we can consider our meal “clean” if it has an iota of wheat, natural sweetener (another mysterious food term), or sea salt.

Nutritionist Tosco Reno, author of the Eat Clean Diet, has a simple way of defining clean eating. “Eating clean is about choosing fresh, whole foods with all of their nutrients intact,” she says. That means trying to avoid processed foods, including healthy things like unsweetened almond milk (unless it's homemade), as well as foods with added processed sugar.

To prove it's not as tough or tasteless as it sounds, we rounded up these recipes. All are made with common ingredients (no need for fancy superfood powders or spices you'll never use again) and contain loads of flavor, color, and satisfaction - plus health benefits because who doesn't like those? And no, they're not all kale salad. Time to get your taste buds out of the fast-food gutter and come to the clean side!



BREAKFAST

 












1. Cake Batter Chia Pudding

Not everyone loves the gelatinous texture that chia seeds develop when mixed with liquid, but here things are helped along when dates, almond butter, and oats come together to fake the delightful sweetness of cake batter. Not that we have any idea what cake batter tastes like, of course. And we're sure you don't either. (It's our little secret.)

2. Everyday Oatmeal With Amaranth, Coconut, and Maple Sautéed Apples

This breakfast is like eating apple pie without the crust, so you definitely want to bookmark this page. Amaranth is a grain that has slightly more protein than quinoa does, and here it gives a naturally sweet crunch. While the blogger who created this recipe uses homemade almond milk (because she’s a chef), you can simply cook the oats in water.

3. Healthy Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies

We love that this recipe is on a blog called Ambitious Kitchen - and that it has two ingredients. This is the kind of ambition we can get behind! Bananas and oats may be enough for you (and make surprisingly sweet breakfast cookies), but the addition of things like cacao nibs and nuts makes things more fun. Gasp: Four ingredients? Now we’re cooking!

4. Raw Buckwheat Porridge

Soak buckwheat overnight to get yourself an easy grab-and-go breakfast with about 6.5 grams of protein from the groats alone. We like to top with a big dollop of nut butter for extra protein and healthy fats to keep us energized all morning, no matter how long that meeting drags on.

5. Skinny Omelette

There has been a resurgence of the egg, and we're 100 percent behind this shift in popularity. Eggs are a great source of protein and vitamin B12, which is key for a healthy nervous system and metabolism. Turn the egg into a tortilla and top it with homemade pesto (check out our recipe), goat cheese, and greens, or try guac and salsa.

6. Cucumber Berry Breakfast Pasta

How often do you wake up and think: I could go for a hefty serving of pasta? This recipe could change all of that. Cucumber noodles are topped with berries, basil, kiwi, sesame seeds, and lime juice for a crispy, sweet morning meal. We think there's something very satisfying about twirling your breakfast and slurping it unabashedly.

7. Sweet Potato Cakes

Sweet potatoes and fiber-filled coconut flour make these cakes sweet enough that you don't need any syrup on top. Or go savory at breakfast and top with veggies and avocado. Either way, they're great alone or as a replacement for hash browns.

LUNCH

 














8. Zucchini Boats

Our lunch is on a boat! (We couldn't help it.) These zucchinis are carved out and filled to the brim with nutrient-dense brown rice, lentils, herbs, nuts, and dried fruit. It's a great switch for when you're bored of bringing zoodles to work and don't know what to do with the rest of the summer squash you bought.

9. Berry, Arugula, and Quinoa Salad With Lemon-Chia Seed Dressing

A little bit sweet and a little bit savory, this salad travels really well. And while we love greens and fruit, the addition of quinoa and walnuts brings the satisfaction, plus omega-3s from the nuts. If you're feeling crafty, layer everything into a mason jar for easy, pretty portability.

10. Chilled Asparagus Soup

Minimal cooking, lots of blender time, and easy to transport: This creamy and satisfying soup is a winner. Asparagus is a good source of vitamin A, which helps to form and maintain healthy skin and teeth. Plus, you know what they say: An avocado a day keeps unhappiness at bay. OK, we say that.

11. Black Bean and Quinoa Salad

We are going to do our best not to over-quinoa you, but this salad is super colorful, easy, and delicious. Here is what we love about it: It's a little spicy with the addition of jalapeños and a little sweet with the navel oranges. What more do you want in a food (or in a person for that matter)? Cooking skills needed: Boiling water, opening cans, chopping, and stirring things together. It makes a big batch, so serve some for dinner, then pack the leftovers to bring to the office since it's tasty warm or chilled.

12. Tahini Salad With Shiitakes and Arugula

Tahini has a hefty dose of calcium, which is one of the most important minerals in the body (it even helps you to squeeze your muscles!). Use this dressing on top of a simple salad of spicy arugula, warm shiitake mushrooms, and a hard-boiled egg. Warning: You may need some gum after eating. This drizzle has tons of garlic!

13. Collard Wraps and Satay-Style Dipping Sauce

Collard wraps can sometimes leave you wanting more (literally, we're hungry an hour later), but not with these! The filling of chicken, strawberries, mango, cucumber, and avocado is great, but the real star is the sauce. Almond butter and coconut cream make it super rich, while ginger and a little chili spice it up a bit.

14. Warm Farro Salad With Roasted Artichoke Hearts

Though it takes a while to cook, farro, a wild cousin of wheat, is super easy to make. Topped with tomatoes, artichokes, and leeks, this Mediterranean dish travels well and will taste good hot or cold on your lunch break.

DINNER

 
















15. Black Bean Plantain Veggie Burgers With Avocado

Homemade veggie burgers are way healthier than packaged ones, but they often require a grocery list filled with ingredients, or they end up soft with a consistency similar to hummus. These are neither and they're super delicious. The plantains add a hint of sweet, and there's a slight kick from chipotle powder. Extra baked plantains on the side make this a meal.

16. Kale, Slivered Brussels Sprouts, and Soba Noodles

This is one of those super easy recipes for those days when you come home from work too tired to wait for a meal to simmer but your health (and perhaps budget) refuses to give in to takeout. Shred kale and Brussels sprouts, toss with a simple dressing, and then add soba noodles, which is made from buckwheat and has a nice nutty flavor.

17. Everyday Buddha Bowl

The images of Buddha show him with a distended belly, but we are pretty sure that won’t be the case with this clean-living bowl. This recipe calls for sauerkraut. Make sure you avoid the ones loaded with preservatives and stick to the varieties made with cabbage, salt, and water—or just get on the kimchi train.

18. Embarrassingly Easy Crock-Pot Salsa Chicken Thighs

We aren’t embarrassed. The result of throwing a few things in a slow cooker means that dinner is ready when we get home—plus we have fewer dishes to clean up. Go ahead and buy premade salsa. Just read the ingredients list: Eating clean is all about keeping it simple. Serve this shredded chicken on top of a Mexican-inspired salad.

19. Lentil Tamarind BBQ Burgers With Chickpea Fries

Admittedly, this burger recipe has a few more ingredients. However, it is worth the brief sautéing and chopping because you will be left with hearty vegan burgers. If you want to keep it simple, top with your favorite clean burger fixings. But the chickpea fries are totally worth it too.

20. Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl

A burrito is portable, but the best part is the insides, which is why we like bowls. This version uses cauliflower rice to cut the carbs and the bloat. Top with homemade guacamole, garbanzo beans, corn, pico de gallo, and cilantro, and you're ready to dive in!

21. Zucchini Noodles With Cilantro Lime Chicken

This is one of those dinners that comes together in a matter of minutes, which is great for those days when you arrive home ready to eat your own arm. Plus, chances are the only ingredient you may need to buy is the zucchini.

22. Sweet Potato Tofu Curry

This curry dish tastes rich and is filling thanks to protein-rich tofu and satisfying coconut milk. Tofu has received a bad rep as a processed food, so buy an organic brand that has three ingredients or less. Serve this easy dinner over your favorite grain or on its own.

23. Creamy Polenta With Crispy Beets

This is a big old bowl of comfort. The crispy baked beets (save extra for snacking) contrasts with creamy polenta, and is topped with dairy-free pesto that comes together in a flash in the food processor. You'll have leftover pesto, but we don't consider that a problem.

DESSERT

 

 




















24. Chocolate Cashew Cream Cupcakes

No eggs, no dairy, and no flour means that these won’t taste like your usual cupcakes—instead, they're super rich and crazy good. And just as easy to make. The hardest part is waiting for them to set in the freezer. You can find cacao butter in a health food store or online. It's rich in oleic aid, which has anti-inflammatory benefits  .

25. Summer Berry Cashew Cream Pie

There's nothing like sweet, fresh berries in summer, and eating them non-stop (as we're known to) means you're getting fiber and anthocyanins, flavonoids that fight inflammation, cancer, and heart disease  . Here a two-ingredient crust is filled with rich cashew cream and topped with the jeweled fruit for the perfect no-bake end to a cookout.

26. Salted Caramel Tahini Cups

What was caramel before someone added a dash of sea salt? We don’t even want to think about it. This is a way that you can put dates and coconut oil to a very interesting and delicious use. Store them in the freezer—mostly to save you from yourself. (We'd eat them all at once too.)

27. Banoffee Pie

Take basic healthy ingredients like almond butter, dates, and bananas and make them into something even more appetizing than a smoothie. It may look like a lot of work, but the dough comes together in seconds, and both it and the toffee are just food processor magic. The main thing you need to remember is to chill your coconut milk overnight and you are good to go, using those spotty bananas in perhaps your favorite way.

28. Flour-Free Black Bean Brownies

We were skeptical of black beans in brownies too, until we tried them ourselves. Masked with cocoa powder, it is an amazing way to make sure you aren’t depriving yourself of your brownie quota. Taken separately, all of the ingredients read like a nutritionist’s dream. Taken together, you get brownies. Enough said.

29. One-Ingredient Ice Cream

Banana soft serve is nothing new, but we are still excited about it, especially when we add some raw almonds, cocoa powder, or cardamom on top. It's quite possibly the easiest dessert or snack ever.

10 Healthy Foods That Give You Energy

Whether you're trying to push past the 3pm slump, or kick start your morning, these energizing foods can help.

Forgo the energy drinks and cups of coffee to boost your energy. Instead, try incorporating these 10 healthy foods to get a natural pep in your step.

When you’re trying to keep energy levels high, one of the most important things to remember is to never skip meals. Once you go over 5 hours without food, your body starts running on empty. Hunger starts to overwhelm your senses, leading to thoughtless food choices (like hitting the nearest fast food joint or vending machine.) Instead, rely on small snacks of about 150-200 calories that can help replenish your energy at a slow-and-steady pace until it’s time for your next meal. You can incorporate these 10 picks, which have extra energy-boosting power, into your snack. Or, eat them as part of a meal on days you know you need that extra boost, as a pre-workout snack,

Oatmeal

Start your morning off with whole grains. Carbs are the body’s primary source of energy. And they're not as evil as you think. Whole grains, like oatmeal, are absorbed slower, giving you a longer-lasting boost. Oats also contain B-vitamins like niacin, thiamin, and folate which work together to help your body metabolize energy.

Yogurt

If you’re looking for a quick boost before a workout, yogurt is an easy grab-and-go snack. Yogurt contains lactose, a milk sugar, which is easily used for energy. It also has a good amount of protein, which helps slow down the absorption of that lactose, making the energy boost last longer.

Shrimp

Shrimp are low in calories and contain vitamin B12, which helps with energy metabolism. This crustacean also has a nice amount of omega-3 fat, shown to help boost energy and mood.

Worried about the cholesterol in shrimp? Don’t be! The latest Dietary Guidelines Committee Report recommended eliminating the existing cholesterol guidelines (of 300 milligrams per day or less) as the scientific evidence is just not strong enough. They concluded that eating high amounts of cholesterol in foods like shrimp and whole eggs, doesn’t raise blood cholesterol.

Strawberries

For a quick fix, grab a handful of juicy strawberries – they’re in season right now. Natural sugar from fruit (AKA fructose) is a better choice than the kind you'd get in a candy bar since fruit also contains fiber, which helps your body more slowly absorb the sweet stuff. 

Hummus

Hummus is a Mediterranean dish made from pureed chickpeas, sesame seed paste, olive oil, and lemon juice. Chickpeas are composed of carbs, protein, and fat. This means you’ll get a nice boost of energy from the carbs, while the protein and fat help stabilize blood sugar by slowing down carb absorption. Enjoy hummus as a dip for vegetables or use it as a condiment on sandwiches.

Spinach

A recent Swedish study found that nitrates contained in spinach may help increase the efficiency of our mitochondria, which helps produce energy in our cells. Although more research is needed, it’s just another reason to stick to Popeye’s number one power food.

Bananas

This easy to tote snack is a perfect pre-workout snack. Not only are bananas brimming with B-vitamins and fiber, which helps promote long-lasting energy, they also are a good source of potassium, which helps with muscle function.

Almonds

Almonds contain magnesium, an electrolyte needed for proper muscle function. Studies have found that folks with low magnesium levels tend to tire out more quickly during exercise.

These babies also provide a ton of B-vitamins like niacin, folate, thiamin, and riboflavin which help convert food to energy. 

Popcorn

I’m talking about air-popped popcorn, not the calorie and fat-laden movie theater popcorn. Many folks are surprised to learn that popcorn is a whole grain. The air-popped version contains about 30 calories per cup so you can have 3 or 4 cups without thinking twice. Plus, popcorn contains plenty of fiber to keep you satisfied longer.

Water
 
Ok, so it's not a food, but it is one of the most important nutrients (yes, water is considered an essential nutrient). With two-thirds of our body made of water, it is important to stay hydrated. Water helps control body temperature, digestion, and it acts as a medium in many metabolic processes in the body, including energy production. Although 8 cups of water per day is the classic recommendation, the amount of water you need varies from person to person. Find out how much water you should drink each day.


Source: http://www.mensfitness.com

13 Unexpected Benefits of Exercise

Exercise for Life

 
Many people hit the gym or pound the pavement to improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and of course, get a rockin’ bod, but working out has above-the-neck benefits, too. For the past decade or so, scientists have pondered how exercising can boost brain function. Regardless of age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from mall-walkers to marathoners), studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits. Get inspired to exercise by reading up on these unexpected ways that working out can benefit mental health, relationships, and lead to a healthier and happier life overall.
 
1. Reduce stress

Rough day at the office? Take a walk or head to the gym for a quick workout. One of the most common mental benefits of exercise is stress relief. Working up a sweat can help manage physical and mental stress. Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. So go ahead and get sweaty — working out can reduce stress and boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension. Win-win!
 
2. Boost happy chemicals

Slogging through a few miles on the ‘mill can be tough, but it’s worth the effort! Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed . For this reason, docs recommend that people suffering from depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in plenty of gym time. In some cases, exercise can be just as effective as antidepressant pills in treating depression. Don’t worry if you’re not exactly the gym rat type — getting a happy buzz from working out for just 30 minutes a few times a week can instantly boost overall mood.
 
3. Improve self-confidence

Hop on the treadmill to look (and more importantly, feel) like a million bucks. On a very basic level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem and improve positive self-image. Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly elevate a person's perception of his or her attractiveness, that is, self-worth . How’s that for feeling the (self) love?
 
4. Enjoy the great outdoors.

For an extra boost of self-love, take that workout outside. Exercising in the great outdoors can increase self-esteem even more . Find an outdoor workout that fits your style, whether it’s rock-climbing, hiking, renting a canoe, or just taking a jog in the park. Plus, all that Vitamin D acquired from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of course!) can lessen the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. Why book a spa day when a little fresh air and sunshine (and exercise) can work wonders for self-confidence and happiness?
 
5. Prevent cognitive decline

It’s unpleasant, but it’s true — as we get older, our brains get a little... hazy. As aging and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s kill off brain cells, the noggin actually shrinks, losing many important brain functions in the process. While exercise and a healthy diet can’t “cure” Alzheimer’s, they can help shore up the brain against cognitive decline that begins after age 45 . Working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.
 
6. Alleviate anxiety

Quick Q&A: Which is better at relieving anxiety — a warm bubble bath or a 20-minute jog? You might be surprised at the answer. The warm and fuzzy chemicals that are released during and after exercise can help people with anxiety disorders calm down. Hopping on the track or treadmill for some moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (intervals, anyone?) can reduce anxiety sensitivity . And we thought intervals were just a good way to burn calories!
 
7. Boost brainpower

Those buff lab rats might be smarter than we think. Various studies on mice and men have shown that cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells (aka neurogenesis) and improve overall brain performance. Ready to apply for a Nobel Prize? Studies suggest that a tough workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein (known as BDNF) in the body, believed to help with decision making, higher thinking, and learning. Smarty (spandex) pants, indeed.
 
8. Sharpen memory

Get ready to win big at Go Fish. Regular physical activity boosts memory and ability to learn new things. Getting sweaty increases production of cells in hippocampus responsible for memory and learning . For this reason, research has linked children’s brain development with level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!). But exercise-based brainpower isn’t just for kids. Even if it’s not as fun as a game of Red Rover, working out can boost memory among grown-ups, too. A study showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults .
 
9. Help control addiction

The brain releases dopamine, the “reward chemical” in response to any form of pleasure, be that exercise, sex, drugs, alcohol, or food. Unfortunately, some people become addicted to dopamine and dependent on the substances that produce it, like drugs or alcohol (and more rarely, food and sex). On the bright side, exercise can help in addiction recovery . Short exercise sessions can also effectively distract drug or alcohol addicts, making them de-prioritize cravings (at least in the short term) . Working out when on the wagon has other benefits, too. Alcohol abuse disrupts many body processes, including circadian rhythms. As a result, alcoholics find they can’t fall asleep (or stay asleep) without drinking. Exercise can help reboot the body clock, helping people hit the hay at the right time.
 
10. Increase relaxation

Ever hit the hay after a long run or weight session at the gym? For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia . Moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature. When the body temp drops back to normal a few hours later, it signals the body that it’s time to sleep .
 
11. Get more done
 
Feeling uninspired in the cubicle? The solution might be just a short walk or jog away. Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers . While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body’s circadian rhythms.
 
12. Tap into creativity

Most people end a tough workout with a hot shower, but maybe we should be breaking out the colored pencils instead. A heart-pumping gym session can boost creativity for up to two hours afterwards . Supercharge post-workout inspiration by exercising outdoors and interacting with nature (see benefit #4) . Next time you need a burst of creative thinking, hit the trails for a long walk or run to refresh the body and the brain at the same time.
 
13. Inspire others

Whether it’s a pick-up game of soccer, a group class at the gym, or just a run with a friend, exercise rarely happens in a bubble. And that’s good news for all of us. Studies show that most people perform better on aerobic tests when paired up with a workout buddy . Pin it to inspiration or good old-fashioned competition, nobody wants to let the other person down. In fact, being part of a team is so powerful that it can actually raise athletes’ tolerances for pain . Even fitness beginners can inspire each other to push harder during a sweat session, so find a workout buddy and get moving!

Working out can have positive effects far beyond the gym (and beach season). Gaining self-confidence, getting out of a funk, and even thinking smarter are some of the motivations to take time for exercise on a regular basis.

Source: http://greatist.com

See What Happens When You Eat Garlic On an Empty Stomach

See What Happens When You Eat Garlic On an Empty Stomach

Garlic And Alternative Medicine

Many people think that eating garlic on an empty stomach is not beneficial. You may often hear people say that it is only your grandmother and her friends think that this home remedy is really beneficial. However, it is really quite effective in preventing and treating many diseases.

Results from the many studies the scientists have conducted showed that if you consume garlic on empty stomach it will only boost its power, making it an extremely strong natural antibiotic. Do you know why it is more effective when you eat it before breakfast? The bacteria are overexposed, so they can not defend against its power.

Garlic is considered to be one of the most efficient foods when it comes to detoxification, in alternative medicine. Medical practitioners in this branch say that garlic is so powerful that it cleanses the body from worms and parasites, prevents diseases like depression,diabetes, typhus and even some cancer types.

If you are allergic to garlic, then you should take two important things into consideration: never eat it raw, and if you still get any skin outbreak, headache, or a high body temperature, stop consuming it.

Some studies have shown that the consumption of garlic can sometimes have side-effects among patients that are using medications for HIV/AIDS. This health conditions require special attention and you need to be extremely careful. Make sure you make all the tests necessary to find out if garlic is safe for you before you start consuming it.

Its strong smell and taste should not stop you from using all its health benefits. Great substitutes for raw garlic are the garlic supplements and even in that form you can still take advantage of its benefits.

- See more at: http://www.healthyfoodteam.com/see-what-happens-when-you-eat-garlic-on-an-empty-stomach/

Berus gigi teknologi nano tidak perlu ubat gigi - Bisnes - Sinar Harian

TEKNOLOGI nano digunakan sekarang bagi menghasilkan litar bersaiz kecil. Pada masa hadapan, robot kecil dikatakan dapat memasuki aliran darah manusia dan memusnahkan sekatan pada saluran manusia.

Jika di Malaysia teknologi nano dijadikan modal untuk syarikat ponzi menjual penapis dihidrogen oksida kepada pengguna yang buta teknologi. Tetapi di Jepun teknologi nano digunakan untuk membersihkan gigi.

Misoka ialah berus gigi teknologi nano yang tidak memerlukan anda membeli ubat gigi untuk menggunakannya.

Berus Misoka diselaputi ion galian berdiameter 1/1000000000 meter yang akan menarik kotoran daripada gigi. Ianya lebih halus berbanding berus biasa dan dapat memasuki ruangan di antara gigi dengan lebih mudah. Setiap Misoka hanya boleh digunakan sebulan seperti ion pada berus tidak lagi mampu menarik kotoran.

Misoka memastikan anda tidak perlu lagi membeli ubat gigi. Berus gigi ini dijual pada harga AS$104 (RM375.02) sebatang. Anda mungkin jimat membeli ubat gigi tetapi tidak melakukan penjimatan pada harga berus gigi.