Long Work Weeks? 7 Stress-Reducing Activities to Come Home To

After a busy and stressful work week, you’ve earned every second of your weekend free time. While it may be tempting to spend your time watching shows online, there are ways you can use your downtime to reduce stress rather than merely recover from it. The following seven activities will help you emerge refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle whatever the next workweek brings your way.

Get Moving

Whether you spend your days in front of a computer screen or on your feet, ungluing yourself from the couch is probably the last thing on your mind. At the end of a long week, exercise can do wonders for your mind and body. Even if it’s just a walk or dancing in the kitchen with your family, a little purposeful movement during the weekend will reinvigorate and strengthen you for the week ahead.

Make Meals

While you’re in the kitchen dancing, be sure that you’re cooking some healthier meals and snacks. This will provide you with some delicious food to enjoy over the weekend and possibly during the week. Since nutrition plays a key role in wellness, you’ll also be building a better body for coping with the coming week. Moreover, many healthy staples such as garlic, oranges, and oatmeal have been shown to combat stressful feelings.

Grow Something

Since your Monday through Friday routine probably doesn’t include much time outdoors or in contact with green spaces, gardening can be a welcome addition to your weekend itinerary. During warmer months, vegetable gardening can provide you with ingredients for nutritious cuisine and lovely flowers to brighten your home. If its winter or you’d rather not maintain an outdoor garden, consider caring for some houseplants.

Cultivate Creativity

Plants aren’t the only item you can grow during your free time. Creative pursuits such as playing a musical instrument or engaging in a craft can help shift your focus from weekday stress to weekend serenity. These practices will also provide you with a sense of accomplishment and possibly homemade gifts for loved ones.

Soak Your Stress Away

After all your workweek and weekend activities, you might be feeling a bit achy and worn down by the cares of life. Sometimes, a quick dip in a pool or a warm soak in a tub can help you unwind enough to really enjoy your downtime. If you’re considering purchasing a hot tub, be sure to check out hot tub reviews, online forums, and the Better Business Bureau website before making such a large investment.

Bring the Spa Home

As you soak in your bath or hot tub, you can really pour on the pampering with a few basic spa treatments. Mixing sugar and coconut or almond oil will create a gentle, whole body exfoliation scrub to slough away any rough skin. Many lotions and creams also absorb more readily when you’re still warm from the bath.

Read to Refocus and Reinvent

While spending your weekend in Paris probably isn’t possible, reading an engaging travel book or website are. Children enlist their imaginations to transform the mundane into the magical every day. Reading can give you the inspiration and the mental muscle to reinvent yourself.

Even though work stress may feel overwhelming, it is possible to emerge from your weekend in fighting form. No matter which stress reducing activity you choose, the important thing is that you mindfully pursue it. Once you’re stress levels have plummeted, you’ll be able to enjoy life mo

How Avoiding Your Doctor’s Advice Could Lead to Bigger Issues

Avoiding medical treatment is a leading cause of health problems in the United States. Many patients may actually go do the doctor when a health problem arrives, but they neglect to follow instructions for further treatment or avoid taking medications that are prescribed. In addition, most of these patients also refuse or avoid follow up examinations, making their healthcare all the more problematic.

There are many reasons why avoiding your doctor’s advice could lead to much bigger problems, but these are some primary ones to consider. Think about each of these, so that you and your physician can work together toward the best healthcare possible for your needs.

Proper Health Care Requires Treatment and Follow up Coordination

For any medical treatment to be effective, it must be done according to a scientific method and a process with checks and balances. A physician is unable to accurately assess the results of any medical treatment, if the patient refuses to follow their instructions and regiment for taking medications. Proper health must follow the standards of practice or it is all guesswork, and won’t be likely to benefit the patient healthcare overall.

Not Following Medical Advice and Instructions Causes Other Health Problems

The primary risk of avoiding instructions and advice from a physician is having other health problems manifest. Most illness, if left untreated will cause other conditions throughout the body. This is because the healthcare of the entire body is necessary, as all internal systems interact and become impacted when another part of the body is sick. This includes all physical therapies, diagnostic procedures, surgical needs, medications, and follow up examinations. Without the advice of a qualified physician, the patient may be putting themselves at risk for health complications that would not manifest otherwise.

Bad Interactions with Non-Prescribed Medications Are Dangerous

Taking the wrong combination of medications can have serious health risks to the patient, or complicate their current treatments negatively. Using non-prescribed drugs, alternative medicines, illegal drugs, or even alcohol can greatly impact patient health, while backsliding any benefits their treatments might have been providing. The complications caused by mixing incompatible medications and drugs is perhaps the most dangerous way of avoiding a doctor’s advice. This is primarily because when a patient does this, it is also unlikely such a person will inform their primary care physician, unless something worse manifests health wise.

Not Following Medical Treatment Can Impact Patient Health Benefits

As if the potential for positive healthcare impact being lost weren’t bad enough, the patient refusing to follow medical advice could lose access to medical care by legal default. Many healthcare providers, insurance companies, nursing care groups (like ACN SCAM), and administrative care organizations view avoiding proper treatment as a hindrance to their effectiveness and a risk to patient safety. Thus some situations create a hostile environment for all involved, which can lead to a patient being dropped from a medical plan or insurance provider’s coverage. Losing medical benefits can impact a patient permanently, and is often and cause irrecoverable health problems.

Lack of Necessary Treatment Can Threaten Patient Life Expectancy

In the most extreme cases, not getting necessary treatments can be fatal. Anyone who refuses or avoids critical healthcare procedures is putting their own life at great risk, but also creates a medical environment that makes physicians and nurses unable to do their jobs properly. In all cases of terminal or critical care, life expectancy goes down significantly, when a patient lacks necessary and available healthcare.

The results of avoiding a physician’s advice inevitably complicate the health of any patient, thus causes bigger issues to manifest. Following a doctor’s advice is part of the patient contract. In order for a physician to be most effective, they must have an honest relationship with those persons under their care. Otherwise, any benefits from treatment will be negated and the patient health will not improve

• Scheduling: If you don’t plan for the holidays, fitness can take a back seat to other activities. Try to schedule a minimum of six workouts during your 12 days of fitness. If you get eight, you’re a star. Invite your family and friends for a walk or jog, or go skating.  Plan ahead for the days you’ll be feasting or sipping cocktails at a work party. Hydration also plays a key role in how you’ll feel the next day – especially with the alcohol and extra salt in holiday meals.
• Meal planning and shopping: Plan for your healthy meals and snacks around the big events. Stock up on veggies and fruits, lean protein options like tofu, chicken breasts, fish, lean beef and legumes. Prepare some of your favourite slow cooker meals so you’ll have something nutritious for lunches and after work.
• Pack a bag: Pack a bag with your gym gear and keep it in your car. Things take longer during the lead up to Christmas. If your bag is in the car, you’ll have a better chance of making it to the gym or your favourite fitness class.

• Fill up on veggies at festive meals. Eat the healthy stuff first and you’ll be less likely to overeat when it comes to the good stuff.
• Choose your carbs wisely. If you love your grandmother’s freshly baked bread, but you’re not a huge fan of cereal, skip your morning cereal in favour of a piece of buttered bread straight from the oven during the big holiday dinner.

• Kettlebell swings: A kettlebell swing isn’t just a workout for your arms. The torque from your hips propels it forward, making this exercise a comprehensive full-body burn. Keep your chest up and repeat the swinging movement without stopping. It’s best to use low to moderate weight for this exercise to begin with.
• Shadow boxing with dumbbells: Shadowboxing is draining, but the cardio and strength component increases with a pair of weights. Using very light weights, perform punching movements by hitting the air as fast as you can for 50 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds and repeat five to seven times.

Where to Wellness Holiday in 2018: Your 12 Month Guide

Follow the sun, sea and a sense of wellness in 2018 with a year’s worth of inspiration in health-enhancing wellness experiences around the world. Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists, reveal their month-by-month guide of the best wellness holiday destinations for 2018, so you can make this the year to nourish your mind, body and soul.

January: New Year Cleanse in Thailand: The Barai Vital Body Cleanse

Welcome in the New Year with a full body detox surrounded by the exotic flora and palm-fringed beaches of Hua Hin, Thailand. The Barai is a luxurious hideaway for spa-seekers in need of a cleansing break to revitalise from the indulgences of the festive period. Detoxifying treatments including abdominal massages and moor mud wraps, combined with a healthy detox menu to leave you feeling thoroughly cleansed. Relaxing wellness activities coupled with energising fitness classes will ensure you return home feeling healthier.

Average January Temperature: 30C (85F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at The Barai from £3,538pp or £5,373 for single occupancy. Price includes accommodation, full-board, a detox programme, return flights and transfers

February: Holistic Weight Loss in Sri Lanka: Santani Weight Loss

Find yourself amongst the lush greenery of Sri Lanka as you shed the last of the Winter weight and centre in on the new you. Work up a sweat with energetic group fitness classes and outdoor activities, and decrease your stress-levels with daily meditation and yoga sessions. A personalised diet plan coupled with raw cooking and lifestyle classes will help you to make long-term changes, making 2018 your healthiest year yet.

Average February Temperature: 20C (68F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Santani from £3,080pp or £3,825 for single occupancy. Price includes accommodation, full-board, return flights and transfers

March: Digital Detox in Portugal: Pine Cliffs Digital Detox

Set in the sunny Algarve, give your mind and body a well-deserved break from technology with a two-day digital detox at Pine Cliffs. Learn to switch off, with meditative breathing classes, relaxation massages, and an ‘energy break’ under the retreat’s signature pine trees. Get active with personal training on the beach and paddle board sessions in the sea, and enjoy nutrient-dense meals and juices, leaving your mind cleared and body re-energised.

Average March Temperature: 21C (70F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Pine Cliffs from £2,072pp or £3,062 for single occupancy. Price includes accommodation, full-board, return flights and transfers

April: Spring Surf & Yoga in Morocco: Paradis Plage Surfing

Take a welcome break from the relentless April showers and catch an early Summer in Morocco. With private and group surfing classes suitable for surfers of all levels, there’s no better place to enjoy a spot of springtime surfing in the warm African sun. Stretch out any post-surfing tightness with daily yoga classes and experience other active adventures, from mountain hikes to cultural excursions. No matter what happens out on the waves, this healthy holiday won’t leave you feeling wiped out, as you emerge rejuvenated from your refreshing spring renewal.

Average April Temperature: 25C (78F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Paradis Plage from £820pp or £1,240 for single occupancy. Price includes accommodation, daily breakfast, a surf programme, return flights and transfers.

May: Get Mindful in Marbella: Marbella Club Mindful Triathlon

Enjoy a healthy escape in the Mediterranean sunshine for a complete mind and body makeover. Combining your favourite fitness activities with mindful and balancing practices, you’ll experience a greater sense of harmony between your mind and body. Work up a sweat with beach circuits and personal training, then find balance with a variety of yoga styles, guided meditations and Tibetan bowl vibrational massages. With an emphasis on learning how to live a mindful life, return home with an increased sense of well-being.

Average May Temperature: 23C (73F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Marbella Club Mindful Triathlon from £2,543pp or £4,249 for single occupancy. Price includes accommodation, daily breakfast, return flights and transfers

June: Summer Shape Up in Ibiza: The Body Camp

Slimming is synonymous with summer, so head over to Ibiza for a luxury boot camp style fitness regime to get you looking and feeling great. Enjoy a daily fitness schedule of circuits, aerobics, Swiss ball, boxing, running, swimming, deep stretching, body sculpting and, of course, rebounding. You’ll also have mindfulness sessions to soothe the mind, cookery workshops to feed it, and creative workshops to let it lose. All of this is interwoven with a full body massage and manicure to ensure you leave glowing with well-being.

Average June Temperature: 26C (79F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at The Body Camp from £1,815pp. Price includes full board, return flights and transfers.

July: Get Active in Sardinia: Forte Village Fusion Fitness

Delve into an active Summer as you get fit by the beach on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Boasting magnificent sea views and excellent wellness facilities, Forte Village is a revitalising fitness and sports holiday for solos, couple and families. Adults can enjoy a bespoke Fusion Fitness programme offering a personalised workout plan, and a range of energising activities and treatments with a series of six thalassic pools. With its vast range of eight hotels, 21 restaurants and amenities; this healthy holiday offers something for everyone.

Average July Temperature: 29C (84F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights with Forte Village from £2,453pp or £3,755 for single occupancy. Price includes half board, Fitness Fusion™ programme, return flights and transfers.

August: Soothing Summer Spa in Italy: Lefay Spa

Nestled in the alpine mountains surrounding Lake Garda, this wellness retreat is a hive for like-minded people looking to indulge in well-being. The resort’s signature spa, ‘World of Water and Fire’ features a private saline pool with a suspended moon above it to create a truly calming atmosphere to relax and unwind. Spa treatments are holistic in nature and range from East to West in origin to allow guests to benefit from a wide-ranging cannon of knowledge and return home rejuvenated.

Average August Temperature: 28C (82F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 5 nights at Lefay from £2,200pp or £2,695 for single occupancy. Price includes accommodation, full board, a wellness programme, return flights and transfers.

September: Mental Makeover in Portugal: The Mind Coaching Retreat at Macdonald Monchique

With summer drawing to a close, there is no better time to go on a mind coaching retreat. Lack of sleep combined with too much stress can cause serious health issues, both physical and mental. Set in the picturesque Algarve, let expert mind coach, Steve McKeown, take you through a psychological programme using state-of-the-art techniques to build mental strength. With lifestyle tips and group sessions, return home rejuvenated and more in touch with your inner-self, as a healthy mind means a healthy lifestyle.

Average Temperature September: 29C (84F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Macdonald Monchique. Pricing available on request.

October: Autumn Ayurveda in India: Atmantan Ayurveda

If you don’t want to wave goodbye to summer just yet, venture to the North of India for a holistic break that boasts ultimate relaxation and self-discovery. Nestled between the Sahyadri mountains and Mulshi Lake, this spiritual hideaway provides a platform for total rejuvenation in soothing tranquillity. A wealth of ancient Ayurvedic spa treatments await you, in addition to reflexology and a variety of yoga practices. Purify and heal your body with Ayurvedic approaches, to return home feeling rebalanced and cleansed.

Average Temperature October: 33C (91F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Atmantan from £3,345pp or £4,385 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, an Ayurveda programme, return flights and transfers.

November: Farm-to Spa Wellness in Costa Rica: The Retreat

Beat the winter blues by venturing to Costa Rica, a tropical paradise famed for its bio-diversity and pleasing temperatures during the crisp winter months. The Retreat provides a luxurious yet secluded wellness experience, with only eleven rooms that all boast unparalleled views over the ocean. Delight yourself with organic spa treatments at the Cristal Lotus Spa, whether a contouring body scrub or a mint-chocolate treatment for glowing skin. With activities such as cooking and gardening, this back-to-nature wellness holiday will help you acquire a new-found sense of well-being.

Average Temperature November: 31C (88F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at The Retreat from £2,968pp or £4,430 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast, an wellness programme, return flights and transfers.

December: Pre-Christmas Restorative Break in St. Lucia: BodyHoliday

Typically, a time of year for over-indulgence, break the mould and venture to this leading St Lucian wellness resort for a healthy start to the holiday season. Prepare your body and mind for the festive season with a special pre-Christmas wellness programme, designed by leading health and well-being experts. Hosted by Olympic legends, Colin Jackson and Leon Taylor, enjoy a wellness experience like no other, that will prepare you not only for Christmas, but for the rest of your life.

Average December temperature: 30C (86F)

Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at BodyHoliday from £2,355pp. Price is all-inclusive, and includes a wellness programme, return flights and transfers.

For advice, guidance and booking visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com or call 0203 397 8891

About Health and Fitness Travel

Health and Fitness Travel is a global luxury wellness travel company that originated in the UK in 2010 and is committed to providing healthy holidays that enhance and change lives. Created by Paul Joseph and Adam Heathcote as a result of their passion for health and fitness travel and offering bespoke holidays to improve people’s well-being to lead happier and healthier lives.

Health and Fitness Travel offers clients a tailor-made seamless service with the very best health and fitness holidays, handpicked by its expert team, together with exclusive and added value packages with the best deals. As leading specialists, Health and Fitness Travel has also created their own collection of trademark healthy holidays in various destinations which include Fusion Fitness™ BodyBreaks™ and Discover Recover™, offering clients the best value and holiday experience. For more information visit: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com

With the holidays upon us it’s easy for us to get caught up in the rush of it all. While we may be cooking, shopping, enjoying holiday events there are others, many of whom are in our very own circles, having a tougher time. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, reveals who are most likely to have the holiday blues and how we can help them make it through.

1. The newly divorced or widowed.

Loss is a sad, life-changing event at any time of the year.  However, it tends to be harder when everyone around you is joyful celebrating the holiday’s and you feel it’s an effort to get out of bed.  If someone in your circles is going through a major loss and life transition be supportive and understanding. “They are grieving and mourning and are especially sensitive around the holidays. It’s important that they feel included but don’t be offended if they choose to opt out of certain events,” advises Dr. Hafeez. She suggests checking in and offering them the option to participate in whatever they want, when they want. Love them through it.

2. The busy entrepreneur.

The holidays could be stressful for small business owners because so much rides on the end of year. They may be fretting over their profits (or lack thereof), the goals they didn’t reach, and the many things still to do. They feel overwhelmed and when they are expected to shop, entertain and be present for their families, they may be short tempered and anxious. “The best way to help the busy entrepreneur is to make their life easier in any way possible. If they can’t make it to a family dinner, tell them your door is open for dessert. Oftentimes they feel guilty and obligated which only adds to their frustration,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Also consider that these worker-bees are conflicted. When they are working they miss their families and when they are with family they are thinking of work.

3. The caretaker of an elder parent or relative.

Adults who are now caretakers to their elderly parents are incredibly overwhelmed and often overlooked. As a caretaker, they always have to consider the well-being of their parent. They can’t just get up and go,” explains Dr. Hafeez.  Caretakers may feel resentful, isolated and stuck during the holidays which leads to conflicted feelings of resentment and guilt. They also believe they have to be hands on managing everything. It’s important to lighten the caretakers load by offering support even if it means asking them how they are doing. Be patient and ask the caretaker what they need. It could be something as simple as having food delivered to their home to free up time for other tasks, Dr. Hafeez recommends.

4. The recovering substance abuser.

Recovering from addiction is hard.  Period.  But it’s harder when holiday festivities are filled with friends and family drinking everything from eggnog to champagne.  “Understand that those in recovery from substance abuse are hyper-sensitive about being judged. They feel as if all eyes are on them and that pressure may trigger the desire to use drugs or alcohol to soothe their anxiety. When they aren’t fully recovered, they may anticipate possible “landmines” and avoid them. They may choose to stay to themselves and observe more and participate less. They might opt out of larger family gatherings that are too overwhelming,” cautions Dr. Hafeez. Offer an open invitation and remind them they are welcomed when they are ready. A balance of love, support and acceptance is what they are in most need of, suggests Dr. Hafeez.

5. The children of divorce.

Divorce means two separate holidays at two different places and kids feel overwhelmed having to double up. It’s incredibly important for parents to agree on where the kids are going during the holidays and all logistical details. “Kids want to feel safe and secure. They don’t want to feel as if they are the expected to be rushed here and there because their parents chose to divorce,” says Dr. Hafeez. It could be unsettling to younger kids and teens may isolate and rebel against any family events as they are sorting out their own emotions as they get used to a new normal. You really want to establish a game plan for the holidays and if possible, stick to it every year, advises Dr. Hafeez.

About the Doctor:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

She can certainly provide answers to specific questions regarding the connection between grief and anxiety. Feel free to send them to me. 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com

How to Live a Healthy Life Without Spending Too Much Money

Life seems to move along, and so does our health. When money is tight, it’s difficult to eat as healthy as you should. Yes, eating organic food is healthier but can become costly if you’re not careful. There are ways to get the high cost of food and gym memberships down. Here are some ideas to help.

Eating Affordable Organic Food

You can grow organic fruits and vegetables in your very own garden. If this is not feasible, purchase them from other farmers that grow organic foods. You will want to look for a farmer that grows their food organically but are not organic certified. They cost about 50 percent less than buying your fruits and vegetables elsewhere. Most grocery stores raise the price to pay for their employees and supplier.

Organic is not necessary with fruits and vegetables that have protective layers such as melons and bananas. Some places can verify that the supplier didn’t use heavy pesticides on the fruits and vegetables they’re selling. Take time to check! Eating healthy on a budget is possible when you look carefully at the meat and produce sales. If you find meat or product sales, buy them first, and you will save money.

Don’t Eat Out

Eating out cost extra, don’t get me wrong this statement doesn’t mean you should never go out to eat. It merely means in moderation. Cooking a meal at home that serves a family of six will cost around $4 a person to prepare, compared to eating out at a restaurant for approximately $15 a person. Naturally, the prices vary depending on what you feel like cooking or where you go out to eat. If you watch what you buy when getting groceries, you will lower your food cost while eating healthier.

Cost Effective Ways to Exercise

Set up a gym at home. Look for gym equipment that people are tired of being in their homes. You can do this by looking at yard sales, checking on Craig’s list, or at the gym. For those individuals who can afford to update their gym equipment, they sometimes will give their old stuff away. Others will sell them cheaper than you would get them new. In fact, some still look just as new depending on how often they were used, by the owner.

For aerobics, you could get an affordable exercise DVD or go for a fast pace walk, jog, or run. Nothing says more about exercise than climbing a mountainside. These exercise activities also will build endurance and strength as well. If a home gym isn’t for you, shop around for the cheapest gym membership. For that matter, you should see if your employer offers a gym membership discount.

Go to Social Events

Social events help you stay connected with others and have a healthy inner core. Some social events provide food, games, and other activities that will help you to stay healthy and keep the cost down. Keeping yourself healthy is not just about eating correctly, but also has to do with emotional and spiritual connections. Being out in a social atmosphere can also prevent you from becoming depressed, emotionally drained, or disconnected. You can find these types of events at churches, social dances, family gatherings, or just a simple get together with friends.

These ideas will help you efficiently stay healthy while keeping the family budget intact. When leading a healthier lifestyle, it can be rewarding to you and the people around you. Why wait until New Years to begin a more robust lifestyle change, when you can start today. It will become a reality when you are utilizing these helpful information methods.

Excess Acidity Finally Meets Its Match!

Mineral-Rich Multiforce Powdered Supplement Treats Lactic Acid Build-Up Associated With Muscle Fatigue & Strenuous Exercise; Helps Prevent, Minimize Acid-Related Gout, Osteoarthritis & Uric Acid                                       

Proprietary Blend of 100% Natural, Gluten-Free Ingredients Offers Safe & Proven Complete Body Solution for Athletes & Active Consumers Seeking Healthier Balance Between Acid & Alkaline  

SARASOTA, FL., November 17, 2017 – Representing one of the greatest ironies in personal wellness today, millions of athletes and fitness devotees who watch every bite they eat are being challenged by the very same culprit affecting those who regularly consume processed foods, salty snacks and sugary desserts. Their shared enemy? Excess acidity.

Consider this: if you’re a serious athlete, “weekend warrior,” or an active consumer who values the life-affirming benefits of strenuous regular exercise, it’s likely you’ve experienced the muscle discomfort and fatigue often associated with lactic acid build-up. Conversely, if you follow the typical “Western diet” that’s low in fruits and vegetables and find it difficult to resist foods you know aren’t good for you, it’s likely you’ve experienced such excess acid-induced health issues as gout, uric acid, heartburn, joint pain, chronic fatigue, osteoarthritis and many more.

Fortunately, however, whether you’re a fitness junkie, a junk food junkie or some combination of the two, help is here at last!

Introducing Multiforce (www.multiforcehealth.com), a globally-popular multi-mineral powdered supplement newly available in America that’s already helped millions around the world not only to treat but in many cases to prevent the development of excess acidity resulting from extreme workouts or poor diet. Featuring a breakthrough blend of 100% natural, gluten-free, vegetarian and clinically-proven essential natural minerals such as Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Calcium, Multiforce helps your body re-calibrate its pH balance between acid and alkaline so you can feel your best in the fastest and most comprehensive manner possible.

The Growing Need To Cut Excess Acidity Down To Size                

With more Americans than ever before embracing extreme sports and demanding workouts, and with the majority of us still favoring processed foods over nutritious fruits and vegetables, we’ve achieved perfect storm-level conditions for making excess acidity one of today’s most problematic health concerns. And when it comes to diet, it’s not just the obvious foods we need to be wary of: even seemingly healthier food staples as dairy products, animal protein and even low-sugar cereals are responsible for generating acid-forming chemicals in our body that over time can lead to muscle fatigue, slow down muscle recovery and cause many of the troubling health issues mentioned above.

Multiforce To The Rescue!                                                                                                                                                                 

Specifically formulated to treat the causes of various health issues associated with excess acidity and not just their symptoms, Multiforce makes use of the citrate form of minerals which are able to neutralize three acid molecules and are much more easily absorbed by the body. This is what makes Multiforce so effective. In addition, unlike traditional treatments for excess acidity on the market, Multiforce works systemically from head to toe as opposed to just zoning in on one select part of the body. What’s more, Multiforce doesn’t rely on digestion to be absorbed – thus ensuring consumers won’t face the stomach discomfort or nausea often associated with mineral supplements.

A natural alkaline powder that’s safe, proven and incredibly easy to use (just mix a teaspoon of powder with water), Multiforce is ideal for virtually anyone anxious to tackle the acid-based causes of muscle fatigue, gout, uric acid, joint pain, chronic fatigue and osteoarthritis (please find a clinical study showcasing Multiforce’s effectiveness in dealing with this condition at www.multiforcehealth.com/new-hope-for-osteoarthritis-sufferers).

Multiforce is offered in three flavors: Natural Lemon Flavor; Natural Mango Flavor; and Naturally Unflavored. All three are sold on thewww.multiforcehealth.com site for $29.99 (a free two-week supply is also available at www.multiforcehealth.com/free-sample.html), other online sites and in a growing range of retail stores in Florida (with other states to follow soon).

The Science Behind Multiforce                                                                                                                                                                                      

Body acids are neutralized through various buffering systems in the body, but for these systems to properly maintain the perfect pH balance, sufficient alkaline mineral compounds are required – the very same minerals (including Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium) typically found in fruits and vegetables.

In order to maintain this ideal balance, nutritionists suggest we eat seven to ten servings of fruits and vegetables as well as drink two liters of water daily. Since that represents a tall order for almost all of us, the solution is simple: let Multiforce’s alkalizing blend of multi-minerals supplement your body’s nutrients, replenish these life-balancing minerals and, over time, reduce the symptoms caused by over-acidity completely.

Check out these alarming facts to see just how prevalent exceed acidity really is:

• Coffee – far more acidic than tap water

• Sodas – contain corrosive acid  

• Animal Protein – can form uric acid

• Sugary Desserts & Salty Snacks – linked with increased obesity

A Commitment to Balanced Health                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Commenting on Multiforce’s longstanding mandate to help offset the conditions associated with excess acidity, Garth Woolley - CEO of Multiforce parent company SANP International LLC - said, “Anyone coping with muscle issues or with the numerous concerns stemming from excess acidity can rest assured we’ve gone to great lengths over many years to create the most potent and effective all-natural solution offered directly to consumers today. We’re heartened by the highly enthusiastic response Multiforce has already received from consumers and retailers in the U.S. and look forward to helping countless more people eliminate the corrosive effects of acid in their lives over the years ahead.”

For more information about Multiforce, visit www.multiforcehealth.com; to read a clinical study about the brand’s efficacy, visitwww.multiforcehealth.com/new-hope-for-osteoarthritis-sufferers.

4 Reasons A Great Meal Is About How You Eat – Not What You Eat

Everyone knows it’s important to eat the right foods to live a long and healthy life, but many of us fall short of that ideal.

We eat on the run, pulling into a drive-through and scarfing down a hamburger on the way to the next appointment. We grab a candy bar at the grocery checkout and munch it on the way to the car.

And somewhere along the line we realize that just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t judge food by its taste, says Jane Bernard, an educator and author of Lucid Living in the Virtual Age (www.sensualthinking.com).

“We know that taste can be misleading, at least when it comes to what’s best for us,” she says. “People love donuts, but they don’t make a nutritious breakfast. Spinach isn’t popular with many people – especially children – but it’s beneficial to our health in many ways.”

But for Bernard, a great meal is less about what you eat than how you eat it. She advocates something she calls “intuitive eating” that’s aimed at improving every dining experience – and perhaps making for a healthier diet along the way.

“Intuitive eating is deceptively simple,” Bernard says. “Focus on one meal at a time to get the most pleasure and nutrition from your food. Notice what you see, smell and taste. Check in with your body to see if you’re really hungry – because sometimes we keep eating when it’s actually time to stop.”

Although you might find yourself shedding a few pounds, intuitive eating isn’t necessarily about losing weight, she says. It’s about getting more pleasure out of your meals – and getting more pleasure from the people you have meals with.

Bernard suggests a few exercises that can help turn you into an intuitive eater:

• Smell food before putting it in your mouth. Nearly everyone has memories tied to the aroma of food. Perhaps it’s your mother baking cookies on Christmas Eve. Perhaps it’s hamburgers sizzling on a backyard grill. With most meals, people don’t take the time to savor the aroma, Bernard says.   Does it smell inviting? Greasy? Fresh? Bad? “If the food doesn’t smell right, it isn’t,” Bernard says. “Let your nose protect you and help guide choices.”
• Taste food as you chew. You may think you already do this, but too often people don’t really take time to enjoy the taste, Bernard says. They wolf down their food so they can move on to whatever is next on their agenda. Tasting food helps your body relax and digest more efficiently, she says. Tasting and savoring what you eat also is good for overall health.
• Be thankful for your meal. Giving thanks doesn’t have to be limited to Thanksgiving. “Think about what food is giving you: energy, strength, health, nourishment and pleasure,” Bernard says. “If you take a little time to meditate on that, your body will relax and you will get more nourishment from your food.”
• Give your stomach time to inform your brain. It takes 15 minutes before your brain gets the message from your stomach that you’ve eaten. That’s no doubt one reason people over eat. They don’t give their body time to get the message that they are getting full before gulping down even more food. “Take time to have conversations when you eat and you will eat less – and enjoy the meal more,” Bernard says.

“Eating is a necessity of life,” Bernard says. “But there’s no need to rush things. Eat just enough to feel good and trust that hunger will return and another meal will be found.”

About Jane Bernard

Jane Bernard, author of Lucid Living in the Virtual Age (www.sensualthinking.com) and other books, is a philosopher and educator who writes and teaches about intuition and sensual thinking. She has appeared on TV and international radio, talking from the intuitive perspective. Jane introduced her first book, Fine Tuning, on The Montel Williams Show, in 2006.  Her easy-going combination of common sense and originality is a natural eye-opener.

Ebates Holiday Survey: Apple’s iPhone X vs. Samsung Galaxy

Survey reveals that age matters when it comes to smartphone preferences

SAN FRANCISCO—November 8, 2017—In the battle between Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy, American teens and adults are split on which one they want as a holiday gift. Over a third (35 percent) of teens said they either want the pricey iPhone X or the Apple iPhone 8. Only 20 percent of adults want the iPhone X, with a slightly higher percentage (22 percent) wanting the iPhone 8. Overall, adults said the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the smartphone they’d prefer to unwrap (38 percent). The national survey was fielded among 1,034 adults and 507 teens by Propeller Insights on behalf of Ebates, a leader and pioneer in cash back shopping and subsidiary of the global internet services company Rakuten.

The Trendy Teen Gifts Are…

If you’re planning to buy your teen a pair of Beats wireless earbuds, as 28 percent of American parents are, you’re in luck—at 44 percent, it’s the number one trendy teen gift that teens most want to receive.

Teen boys also want a drone (47 percent), while girls want a Polaroid camera (52 percent). Other trendy teen gifts for both teen boys and girls are:

However, while 27 percent of parents think that fidget spinners are still a hot gift for teens, only 15 percent of teens put this on their wish lists.

Non-Electronic Gifts Are Popular, Too

When asked which non-electronic gift Americans most want to receive, the most popular choice was a gift card—for both adults and teens (both 77 percent). Adults also put clothing (49 percent), shoes (35 percent) and accessories (31 percent) at the top of their list. Teens agreed and also listed clothing (63 percent), shoes (55 percent) and accessories (44 percent) as their most desired gifts.

Getaways were also a popular choice for Americans (32 percent). In fact, almost three- quarters—72 percent—would forego a gift in exchange for a holiday getaway.

When it comes to which type of gift card Americans would most like to receive, money in the form of a Visa, Amex or Mastercard (72 percent) was the top choice. This is followed by a gift card to a restaurant (59 percent), a retailer (51 percent) or for travel.

And men should take note: one-third of women also selected a gift card for a spa treatment (35 percent).

One-in-five Americans also plan to spend between $250-$500 on holiday gifts this year, and almost as many will spend more than $1,000 (18 percent) or $750-$1,000 (17 percent).

"Our holiday survey found that, when it comes to holiday gifts, you can’t go wrong with a gift card—although a laptop or earbuds are also safe choices,” said Amit Patel, CEO of Ebates. “At Ebates, we want to make it as easy as possible to purchase all your gifts and save money while doing it. From gift cards to fidget spinners, our retailers have you covered.”

From now through Christmas, shoppers can receive up to double cash back on select retailers via Ebates. For more details on specific retailers participating in the special offer, visit Ebates.com. Shoppers can also download the free Ebates.com app at Google Play and the AppStore.

About Ebates

Ebates rewards members with cash back on purchases while also providing access to thousands of coupons, discounts, promotions and special deals, including free shipping. Free membership allows consumers to shop online at over 2,000 of their favorite top-name retailers while earning a percentage of every purchase they make. To date, Ebates members have earned nearly $1 billion, paid out quarterly in the form of a “Big Fat Check” or via PayPal. Because shopping with Ebates is hassle-free—no rebate forms to fill out and no points or miles to redeem—the site supports a strong community of savvy shoppers across the country and around the world. Founded in 1998 and acquired by Rakuten, Inc. in 2014, Ebates is headquartered in San Francisco.