The Energy Drink Blog

Many of us probably don’t get the recommended daily requirements when it comes to vegetables. For those that are opposed to eating them there is an easier way to consume the once boring broccoli, kale, or spinach and that technique is juicing. Juicing is quite popular in many areas of the country and has been around for years. In today’s society people are putting more emphasis on health and personal appearance. Juicing provides the body both internal and external benefits as well as an overall sense of well being.

Some of the obvious advantages of juicing are rapid absorption of nutrients such as raw enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. In fact, fresh juiced vegetables are digested and absorbed in as little as 30 minutes. This immediate assimilation can add a great deal of protection to the body and help out an unhealthy immune system. This is not the same case however when you purchase store bought juices as these may contain chemicals, preservatives and ungodly amounts of sugar.

Most fasting or cleansing programs suggest juicing as a way to detoxify the body. Green leafy vegetables are rich in a nutrient called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a natural occurring substance found in plants and algae, this is what gives the plant its natural green color. It is also chock-full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Chlorophyll can safeguard the body from various cancers as well as provide protection to our cells from free radical damage. And, if that’s not enough when you drink one of these vitamin packed green drinks you will naturally boost your energy without experiencing crash like effects from caffeine. Juicing allows us to get more vegetables in our diet by condensing them into liquid and supplying the body with a substantial amount of nutrition.

So how easy is it to juice and how long should you do it for? Well if you purchase a high-quality juicer from a reputable retailer, juicing can be very easy for anyone. Not only will you get a lifetime of use out of it, you will also get a lifetime of proper nutrition. As for how long or how often, well you can do it periodically for cleansing purposes or for various health issues, or incorporate it as a daily part of your routine. Many health food stores are now offering juice bars for those that don’t have the time but still want the health benefits that it has to offer.  In fact, it’s just as easy to order fresh vegetable juice in some places as it is to order a cup of coffee.

The most common vegetables juiced are, spinach, kale, endive, cucumbers, parsley, bok choi, garlic, ginger, wheatgrass, watercress, broccoli, and various herbs. If these sounds a bit intense at first try adding in an apple or a pear to sweeten things up a little and you will be amazed at how delicious your once loathed vegetables taste. Another important thing to know is that you should always buy organically grown vegetables whenever possible. Organically grown vegetables and fruits are grown without the use of pesticides, chemicals, or genetically modified organisms and are much healthier for you and contain a higher nutrient content. If you can’t find organic produce in your grocery store make sure you sanitize your vegetables thoroughly to remove any residues before consuming.

Do you find that you run out of energy at the same time everyday? You get a respectable 8 hours of sleep each night and you feel fairly rejuvenated when you wake up. So why is afternoon fatigue a problem then?  Well, your body functions very much like a clock, in the sense that your brain can train itself to wake up at the same time each day and feel worn out at the same time as well. By implementing some changes in your day, you can prolong exhaustion until you are ready to hit the pillow at night.

One of the most significant ways to put off afternoon fatigue is to eat a healthy breakfast when you wake up. Studies show that the hormone leptin decreases while you sleep which in turn increases appetite. After sleeping for 8 hours the body’s natural response is to feel an increase in appetite when you get up. When you eat breakfast leptin increases which turns the hunger switch off and turns your energy switch on. By eating breakfast, you are fueling your body as well as your brain. Skipping this important meal can lead to overeating later in the day and increase afternoon fatigue very quickly.

Switching your workout program to the a.m. may provide better energy benefits than later in the day. One of the best times to partake in physical activity is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Not only do you burn fat more effectively, but you keep your metabolism revved for hours when you finish. The energy that a good workout provides to the body is a natural way to increase vitality without the use of harsh stimulants. Early exercise also increases the hormones serotonin and dopamine, which enhance mood and motivation. These are 2 very important things to get through a long workday.

Natural sunlight is a great way to feel rejuvenated when your mind and body are run down. Working in a dark environment can trigger the body’s natural sleep response to begin earlier in the day. Take a break whenever you can and get out in natural daylight or get up from your work area and stretch for a few minutes. If you are given a lunch break each day, take it. Use this time to wake yourself up and get refreshed by moving around or getting outside and giving your brain a rest.

Lastly, try to get yourself into the habit of going to bed at the same time each night and your body will get itself into a natural rhythm. Lack of sleep is a sure way to feel completely wiped out the following day which may cause you to over do it on caffeine. If you are use to watching TV or doing any kind of stimulating activities in the bedroom, this may be a good time to curtail this tendency and designate the bedroom for sleep only. You may find it helpful to try a natural sleep aid if you have difficulty falling asleep. Supplementing melatonin can help support your body’s natural production of this sleep hormone and keep you sleeping soundly through the night.

Recently I started this blog to give awareness on a variety of topics relating to energy, health, and wellness.  This is a true passion of mine so I’m thrilled to share some of the information I’m gathering and tips that may be helpful for maintaining a healthy standard of living.  I work for a company that recently launched an unbelievable energy drink called Skinny Gazelle.  Yes I’m a little biased about this product because I’ve tried it and it’s truly amazing.  It actually does exactly what it promises, and that’s to increase your energy and focus safely without the use of harsh stimulants.

I started the energy drink blog after trying Skinny Gazelle because I wanted to give you input as well as hear your feedback on the various health related topics while promoting what I think is the next sensation in increasing energy naturally.   I enjoy what I do so I want to spread the word on health and wellbeing and give you knowledge that you can apply in your everyday life.

 I want to take this opportunity to ask you to comment on the articles I’ve posted thus far or share ideas on things you want to know more about in relation to health and wellness.  I encourage everyone reading my articles to visit www.skinnygazelle.com and let me hear what you have to say.   Because I truly believe in this product, I want to show you how you can increase your energy naturally and effectively, so I’m inviting everyone out there to try Skinny Gazelle energy drink . 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and www.skinnygazelle.com.  You can meet me daily at the energy drink blog for more advice on healthy living. 

Take Care,

Alex Collins

Marketing Co-ordinator

Strictly Health Corp.

Staying focused at work can be difficult especially when your mind wants to go in every possible direction from taking care of the family, to running errands, or deciding what to make for dinner.  So how do you stay on track and accomplish what you need to in the office and put everything else on hold until the end of the day? This can be hard to do since we are programmed to juggle ten different things at once because we are crunched for time.  The end result is the quality of our work is sacrificed and we become mediocre at many things instead of mastering a skill.  When at work, try to maximize your productivity by keeping your focus on work related issues only.  If you put this into practice you become focused on your job and it becomes the center of attention while you are on the clock.  By following some simple guidelines you will accomplish more and possibly even impress the boss a little more.

First thing you should do every morning when arriving to your job is plot out your day and make a list of everything you would like to accomplish in order of importance.  This is a great way to stay organized and to finish things in a timely manner.  You will also find that it’s a lot easier to manage your day when it is well thought-out.

Next, try to keep home out of work and vice versa.  By separating the two as much as possible you are focusing on what you are there to do which is accomplish as much as you can during your 8 hour day.  For those of you in an office setting, keep all personal calls out of work until you have a lunch break or until you return home.  This means that if you carry a cell phone, you should turn off the volume and check any messages during appropriate times.  Another tip that will keep you from getting distracted is refraining from checking your personal email account while you work.  This can tie up a lot of time due to the fact that if you are reading and responding to personal emails you are taking the focus off what should be the center of your attention, your job.

 If you are confined to a specific area at work such as a counter or desk, keep your space as neat and organized as possible.  It’s always good to have a notepad and a pen next to the phone so you are always prepared to take messages when the phone rings.  Keep all your messages for the day in a pile and review them when you have down time or at the end of the day so you know which ones take precedence over others.  The same should apply for work emails, answer them according to importance and make sure you check your inbox frequently throughout the day. 

If you find that you are more focused during the beginning part of the day, use this time on things that require more of your attention.  For instance, I like to write most of my articles during the morning and afternoon because I’m more alert and focused on the topics I want to talk about.  The later part of the day I spend on smaller tasks such as emails or phone calls. 

Some people enjoy listening to music while they work because it helps to keep them more alert.  This can be ok as long as it is on a low setting and does not disrupt other co- workers.  Another thing to keep in mind with music in the office is that certain types can be too harsh while others can put you to sleep.  Find something that is easy on the ears for everyone.

If you are given a break at work, take it.  Use this as personal time for yourself, you will feel refreshed and rejuvenated when you return for the second part of your day.   It also makes the day go by quicker when you leave and come back versus sitting at your desk and eating. 

Lastly, keep yourself hydrated properly with enough fluid.  Keep a bottle of water next to you and refill it whenever it’s empty.  Drinking water helps give you energy and keeps you focused.  I’ve noticed that many people like to drink energy drinks or coffee during the day because it helps with mental energy as well as concentration.  Be careful though because consuming large amounts of caffeine can dehydrate you and then make you tired after it wears off.  A new energy drink to the market called Skinny Gazelle would be an excellent choice over other energy drinks or coffee.  It gives the body a great boost without the use of harsh stimulants and helps maintain a steady energy and focus for an entire work day. 

Sometimes we overload ourselves to the point that we actually don’t accomplish what we set out to do.  Keep your focus on the things that pertain to your job while at work and keep your mind free of things that pertain to work while at home.  This helps to create better focus and a healthy balance between your job and your personal life.

Are you tired and lacking energy?  Do you find yourself bloated and uncomfortable after eating?  Are you having trouble going to the bathroom everyday?  These are just a few things you may be asking your self each day and wondering what is going on inside that body of yours.  Usually if you’ve got to this point it’s safe to say that you may be overdue for a colon cleanse and for several reasons.  Proper elimination everyday is very crucial so the digestive process can fully take place.  We take food in, digest it and our body pulls out any nutrients that it needs and the rest gets sent to the lower intestines for removal via the colon.  In a normal healthy body elimination will take place anywhere from 1-3 times daily or shortly after each main meal.  If we were all eating healthy and leading a healthy lifestyle this process wouldn’t be interrupted but since the typical American diet consists of processed foods, refined sugars, and preservatives it is essential that we cleanse the colon about 3 times a year.

When you cleanse the colon you may be eliminating impacted fecal matter that has been sitting in the lower intestine for a long period of time. Along with the impacted fecal matter is the build up of toxins in the body that are not able to escape due to a sluggish digestive process.  By doing a good colon cleanse you are helping the colon to flush itself out naturally and to continue to do so after you have finished.  Most people find that once they have completed a quality cleanse they feel an increase in energy, have clearer skin, are able to focus better.  I think it’s important to mention that lack of fiber in the diet is also a huge contributor for constipation.  Fiber helps to bulk the stool and acts as a cleansing agent for the intestines as it goes through the digestive system.  Keeping the colon clean and getting adequate fiber intake also helps to reduce your risk of colon cancer as well.  There are just a few simple things to know before you cleanse and I should point out that anyone can safely do this from their own home.

With so many different brands and options now on the market, all you need is either internet access or a local health food store to find the one that works best for you.  The average cleanse can last anywhere from 7 days to 3 months depending on what you are trying to achieve and how bad of a condition you are in.  If you have spent years polluting your body, expect to do at least a month to fully clean out your system of waste, toxins, and possible parasites.  It is important to mention that beneficial bacteria reside in the colon that help with the digestive process so replenishing these friendly bacteria is important and can be done by supplementation or getting live active cultures from organic plain yogurt.  Usually the instructions for a colon cleanse are pretty self explanatory and consist of capsules and a fiber powder that can be mixed in either water or a low sugar juice.

It’s important to know that the healthier you eat while you cleanse the better results you get.  Generally what I think works best is to avoid any animal protein and dairy products during your cleanse and stick to leafy greens, fruits, and grains like brown rice, barley, or quinoa.  As always water is key in helping to pull toxins and waste out of the body so drink plenty of it and herb teas as well.  Stay away from all processed foods and fruit juices as these are loaded with excess sugar.  Once you are finished with your cleanse continue to eat as healthy as you can because this should be a way of life and not a quick fix or a green light to go back to unhealthy eating habits.  There is some truth to the saying “You are what you eat”.  If you eat poorly everyday you feel run down, tired, and depressed.

By cleansing a few times a year some of the positive things you will notice are an increased immune system, better concentration, more energy, clearer skin, proper digestion and elimination, weight loss, and a general sense of well being.  In today’s society we are pressured to keep the outward appearance of ourselves neatly groomed but what about the inside?  When you feel good from the inside you look good on the outside as well. 

Exercise can be a chore for some people who just can’t get motivated and stay motivated.  Some forms of exercise can be very jolting on the body and lead to sore muscles or joint pain while other forms of exercise are stress relieving and relaxing.  It’s important to stay physically fit for obvious health reasons but for many trying to lose weight, it can be very challenging.  Walking is a form of low impact exercise that can help burn fat effectively and boost serotonin levels in the brain.  Serotonin is a special neurotransmitter that helps regulate many things such as sleep, appetite, metabolism, and mood.  Walking is a great way to keep serotonin at a healthy level so losing and maintaining weight is easier.  By knowing how often, how far, and how fast you should walk, you can transform you body into a lean fat burning machine.

Some people may argue that 30 minutes a day at least 4 times a week will suffice when it comes to the frequency of exercise but what many don’t know is that, that will only maintain or prevent you from gaining weight.  You need to step it up a notch in order to melt away those unwanted pounds.  By walking at least an hour a day at a moderate to brisk pace you will put your body into a fat burning mode that will continue to burn calories long after your work out is over.  It’s always good to take at least one day off a week to rest and recover.  The body needs this down time to heal itself and get rejuvenated.  Studies show that by walking for about an hour each day you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes while losing unwanted body fat. 

It’s not so much how far you walk as it is the intensity at which you walk that helps to burn fat, boost metabolism, and build lean muscle mass.  By walking at a brisk pace you should still be able to carry on a conversation but notice that your breathing is becoming more intense.  You can also purchase a pedometer which helps to keep track of your speed and distance. It can be a great device to always keep you in your target heart rate and fat burning zone.  Eventually you will find that by walking on a daily basis you will become accustomed to your speed and you will begin to see pounds and inches lost in no time.

Proper footwear should be mentioned because without the right support you can potentially do serious damage to your back, hips, and joints.  Fast walking requires running shoes not walking shoes as one might think and for the reason being, you need flexible support like a runner does and plenty of cushioning in your sneaker.  The reason walking shoes or cross training shoes are not the best choice is that they don’t offer as much flexibility or comfort as a running shoe.  Eventually you may be walking at a pace like a race walker does which is about a 13 minute mile and something hard and clunky on your foot can be uncomfortable, possibly painful, and may slow you down.

Remember that before you begin your brisk stroll, to always warm up by stretching first.  Getting the muscles loosened up and the blood flowing before any form of physical activity is always very important.  By doing this you reduce your chances of injuring yourself.  Another thing to mention is that exercising is only half the battle. Without incorporating a healthy diet with your walking routine, your efforts may be null and void.  Eating organic whole foods and keeping track of what you are taking in calorie wise versus what you are expending through exercise will give you an indication if you need to increase your work outs or reduce your calorie intake or both.

Staying healthy is more than a fad it’s a way of life and it can only be done by making necessary lifestyle changes.  By changing to a healthier lifestyle we can help to slow the aging process, reduce the chances of various diseases, and increase our well being here on earth.

Even though we call it heartburn, the true definition of this disease is actually an irritation to the esophagus due to the stomach producing too much acid.  Where the stomach meets the esophagus, there is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter or for short the LES.  The job of this muscular valve is to open to let food into the stomach then close. When stomach acid is released into the stomach, often times this valve can become relaxed and open up and cause stomach acid to climb upward into the esophagus causing extreme pain, burning sensation and heart attack like symptoms.  Occasional heartburn is common in about 30% of the American population, however chronic heartburn should be treated because it usually means there is a serious underlying health condition.

There are several known causes for heartburn the most common ones include
overeating which causes the esophageal sphincter to relax and open allowing acid to climb upward.  Pressure on the stomach from pregnancy or obesity can cause this valve to relax.  Certain foods such chocolate, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, and a diet high in fat as well as smoking, and a stressful lifestyle can all contribute to the unpleasant symptoms of heartburn.  So if any of this applies to you and you are wondering how you can treat and cure this issue naturally once and for all, here’s what you can do.

First I would recommend making obvious changes such as proper diet, which means eating organic whole foods whenever possible, cutting out smoking, and doing whatever you can to reduce the amount of stress in your life.  These are all simple solutions that can wipe out heartburn symptoms for good.  However others may not be so fortunate and they may need a more aggressive approach of treatment.  Here are a few things you can do naturally and safely before you decide to go to your doctor. 

Getting in the habit of eating small meals or portions more frequently versus sitting down to three large meals is a great way to provide proper digestion for anyone.  Your digestive system can easily become stressed when large quantities of food are consumed at a fast rate.  This allows the LES to become relaxed very easily because there is too much pressure put on the stomach and large amounts of acid are required to digest bigger meals.  By eating less food you are able to keep acid production down and relieve your symptoms quicker.  Another solution is, try not to eat at least two hours before bed or before exercise so you can fully give your digestive system a chance to do its job.  If your symptoms are usually at night when you sleep prop your pillow up behind you so the acid doesn’t travel up the esophagus and drink a glass of cold water to dilute the acid in your stomach.  Another great solution is to eat crystallized ginger which you can buy at your health food store or drink ginger tea.  Ginger is very well known for aiding in proper digestion, neutralizing stomach acids, relieving upset stomach.  Another remedy for treating heartburn or acid reflux is to squeeze a fresh lemon into a cup and add 2 tbsp. of Bragg’s apple cider vinegar with 2 tbsp. of raw unpasteurized honey and drink before bedtime for 5 consecutive nights in a row.

Lastly, the most important thing to suggest is that by maintaining a healthy weight or losing excess weight you can decrease your chances of many health related issues and increase your overall wellbeing.  If your symptoms persist or they become worse always check with your health care provider.

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