What are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are electrically conductive substances, most commonly sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. There are others, but these are usually the minerals found in Electrolyte Enhanced Water.

When Do We Need Them?
Electrolytes serve three main functions in the body: regulate cellular hydration, regulate blood pH, and carry electrical impulses for muscle contraction and nerve impulses.

Your Kidneys work to balance the electrolytes in your blood, but there are several causes of  electrolyte deficiencies. Most commonly they’re flushed out in sweat,  consumption of diuretics such as alcohol, or intestinal illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Enhanced Water
When you drink filtered water, all the natural minerals are removed. Hence why electrolyte waters are gaining in popularity. They work great for hydration, managing hang over symptoms, and reducing muscle cramping from electrolyte imbalances. Look for brands that include Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium.

Sports Drinks
We’ve all had sports drink after a workout, but their overuse contributes to weight gain and Diabetes. As a parent, it’s important to note that sports drinks aren’t a juice substitute. In fact I rarely recommend them at all.

photo: http://www.dontdrinkthekoolaidblog.com/smartwater-viral-vide/

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We’ve all heard how good Orange Juice is for vitamin C, or how Red Wine & Chocolate’s Antioxidants protect against cancer. Well, that’s not the whole truth. It sounds great because we love Wine, OJ, and Chocolate, but they’re poor sources of nutrients. If things were that easy, vitamin companies would be out of business, and we’d all be having wine and chocolate for lunch.

Aggregate Nutrient Density Index
Fortunately researchers have come up with a good way to quantify which foods are good, and how good they really are. The Aggregate Nutrient Density Index or ANDI is a simple way of scoring whole foods based on their nutrient density and calories. Whole foods are assigned a score using the formula H=N/C (the [H]ealth of a food is equal to the [N]utrient density it delivers, divided by its [C]alories). This is great when it comes to getting the most nutrients, with the least amount of calories. Tremendously important for losing weight, or managing Diabetes.

Kale & Collard Greens score a thousand, while White Potato’s, Whole Wheat Bread, & White Pasta score a thirty one or below. That means you would have to eat 3,500 calories of White Potato’s to get the same nutrient levels in 100 calories of Kale.
Protein sources score low, but that’s ok. We don’t rely on them for their nutrient density, we rely on them for protein and fat.

Take Back Your Health
I’m showing you the tools to make healthier decisions, what will you do with it?

photo: http://www.infobarrel.com/10_Interesting_Facts_About_Chocolate
photo: http://www.eatrightamerica.com/andi-superfoods

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As the outside air temperature drops in the winter, the air can’t hold as much water (humidity). This in itself wouldn’t be so bad, if it wasn’t for home heating systems drying out the air even more. When the air gets too dry (below 30%) people tend to suffer from nose bleeds, and respiratory infections.

Decrease Your Chance of Infection
Dry air drys out the delicate mucus membranes of the nose and throat. The mucus membranes act as the bodies natural protective barrier against colds and respiratory infections. Keep your home between 30% & 55% relative humidity for best results.

Allergens
When the humidity drops below 30%, allergens such as bacteria, mold and fungal spores dry out, which increases their transportation through the air.

Itchy Dry Skin
This one is pretty self explanatory. Reduce the time needed to apply moisturizers and lip balm. Save yourself the pain and irritation of dried out winter skin.

Warmth
Dry air doesn’t transport heat as well as moist air. By humidify ing the air in your house, you will save money on home heating costs.

Types of Humidifiers
I prefer Evaporative Humidifiers. They’re safe, and they self regulate, which means the humidity won’t get unnaturally high. Just turn them on and go.

Vaporizers provide warm moisture, but could be a burn hazard if you have young children. Also this type causes “white dust” to accumulate in your house by vaporizing minerals in the water. Using Distilled water will solve this, but it’s a hassle.

Cool Mist Impeller Humidifiers don’t have a humidity control. They also don’t work well if you suffer from allergies, since they also spread “white dust” through the air, if you’re not using distiller water.

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Crystal Light: chemicals
Slim-Fast: chemicals
Juice: vitamins attached to more sugar than you need
Cleanses: a scam at best and dangerous at worst

Look to Nature
Horses are incredibly lean, muscular, and fast. They only drink water. No supplements. No Cleanses. No Diet Drinks.
If you want to look great, feel great, and lose weight, then drink more water. Every animal on earth needs water to survive. We get everything else we need from food.

Dieting
Drinking more water will help you feel fuller, longer. You can’t drink too much water. You could get sick from Hyponatremia, but that’s a lack of Electrolytes, not too much water.

How Much
A good base line is 1 Milliliter of water for every calorie burned. Most men burn about 1800 calories a day. Most women it’s about 1400. So men, drink at least 1800ml (1.8 Liters) and women 1400ml (1.4 Liters). Depending on temperature, humidity, and activity levels this will probably he higher.

Flavor
If you need more favor in your water you can infuse it with fruit. Fill a pitcher with water and add some lemon slices, or berries. Don’t use commercial available artificial flavors, they are just chemicals. If you don’t believe me, check the ingredients.

A great alternative is a product called Drink Hint. It’s naturally infused water with zero calories. No chemicals. No artificial sweeteners.

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There are a lot of ways to lose weight: dehydrate yourself (good for about 20% of your body weight), donate a kidney (1/4 lb each), Cut your hair (varies), but there’s only one good way to lose fat – Proper Diet & Exercise.

Sounds Easy Right?
It hurts me every year to watch people struggle trying to lose fat, taking short cuts and only losing weight. You end up being the fat you, just lighter. With so many miracle diets out there it’s hard to sift through the crap and find what works. Stay away from anything that promises more than a 2 pound a week weight loss. Also stay away from chemicals, cleanses, lasers, and fat burning creams.

The Solution
Even done right fat loss is not the easiest thing in the world. Your body has become accustom to you current lifestyle and any changes disrupt your hormonal balance. Make small sustainable changes over time for it to stick. One less soda a week, make one snack fresh fruit or vegetables, drink more water, get more sleep, take the stairs instead of the elevator.

We all know what really works, we’re just afraid to admit it.

photo:herbal-nutrition-solutions.com

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