…Happy {Healthy} Halloween Treats!…

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Halloween is quickly approaching! And so is the rush to try to find treats to have at your Halloween gathering or to hand out to those little trick-or-treaters that know on your door.

I have made it know that for those that come to my door they will get a healthy snack option in their Halloween gift bag!

Here are a few great treats that you can try to create this Halloween!

The things I created:

  • Ghost Bananas
  • Little cuties pumpkins

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  • Fruit Salsa (with home made tortilla chips)
  • Witches fingers

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All of these options are non expensive, easy to make, and something that can be made with the help of the kids or anyone else! This could be a great activity for everyone to partake in before Halloween.

Please be sure to practice safe procedures this Halloween! Also, do not forget to keep the chocolate up and away from pets that may be allergic to it!

…Is acupuncture a realistic alternative to physiotherapy?…

Is acupuncture a realistic alternative to physiotherapy?

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If you’re experiencing chronic pain that just doesn’t seem to want to go away chances are you want to try and find a way to make it subside. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that has been shown to help in many cases of pain, especially in the lower back and joints such as the knees. Many physiotherapists actually study for acupuncture qualifications so they can provide the treatment in addition to other methods of physiotherapy.

Acupuncture has not only been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, but also to stimulate the growth of muscle. This is why using acupuncture for muscle rehab is a popular choice for some patients and professionals. We’re going to take a look at what acupuncture actually is and why more and more physiotherapists are harnessing its attributes in their treatments.

What is acupuncture?

laura merie Acupuncture treatment

laura merie Acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture originated as Chinese medicine, and it’s been in use for over three thousand years. You may have heard the word Qi used. This is an energy force that runs through the body in channels known as meridians. This Qi lies at the heart of what acupuncture is all about. The belief is that blockages in the Qi lead to sickness and pain. Acupuncture removes the blockages and allows the Qi to flow again.

That’s the traditional belief in the power of acupuncture. Modern day scientists have found that there also appears to be some scientific basis to the power of acupuncture. It seems that manipulating body tissues where there is pain radiating from muscles can help to ease discomfort. It’s not completely clear why this is the case.

What happens during acupuncture treatments?

You may know a little about how acupuncture works. We’ll explain a little more. Several very fine sterile needles are inserted into the skin at various points along the channels or meridians. The practitioner then manipulates the needles. This often results in the experiencing of a dull ache for the patient. It’s this part of the process that is believed to restore the flow of Qi. Where in the body treatment is carried out depends on what the problem is and where it is located.

Acupuncture or physiotherapy?

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The title of this article asks whether acupuncture is an alternative to physiotherapy. The truth is that although acupuncture is still regarded as an alternative medicine it has become more mainstream. Many physiotherapists receive training in acupuncture. Rather than being an alternative to physiotherapy, acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other physiotherapy techniques. Much the same as with many types of medical treatment, different patients benefits from physiotherapy in different ways. For many, the use of acupuncture has been shown to be successful in reducing chronic pain when other forms of physiotherapy alone had limited or no effect. Rather than speaking of acupuncture as a realistic alternative to physiotherapy it’s probably more accurate to refer to it as complementing more traditional forms of physiotherapy.

…oral health is just as important as physical health…

Daily rituals of dentists – how to look after your teeth

Close-up of patient’s open mouth before oral checkup with mirror near by

Close-up of patient’s open mouth before oral checkup with mirror near by

Ever since you were a child you’ve probably been told to look after your teeth, but a lot of people aren’t very good at doing it. Many people brush their teeth twice a day, but they neglect to floss and they’re too busy for regular check-ups. If you don’t look after your teeth you can end up paying a heavy price.

It can seem as though teeth cause nothing but problems in life. They hurt when they arrive during teething, they need constant looking after and they mean you have to pay regular trips to a dentist which many people find stressful. It’s only if we lose teeth that we realize just how valuable they are, and how they are worth all the aggravation. Keeping hold of your teeth in good condition is the reason why good oral hygiene is so important.

How should you look after your teeth?

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Once you get into a healthy oral hygiene routine it’s not that difficult to keep up. There are several points that you need to remember in order to make sure your teeth and gums remain healthy.

 Brush your teeth after breakfast and before you go to bed. Use a medium strength tooth brush and brush in a circular motion, not up and down.

 Floss between your teeth at least once a day.

 Cut down on the amount of sugary treats in your diet, such as fizzy drinks.

 Have regular dental check-ups.

Missing out on doing any of these things can lead to the build-up of plaque on your teeth, to decay, abscesses and gum disease.

What happens if I have problems with my teeth?

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If you neglect your teeth and gums then you’re going to end up needing treatment such as fillings or root canal work. This can be very costly and unpleasant. That being said, you should never be afraid to seek dental treatment.

Even if you know your teeth aren’t in great condition, and you’ve been avoiding the dentist, you should take that step and go, to protect not just your oral health but that of your whole body. It’s been shown that bacteria from your mouth can have a detrimental effect elsewhere. You should also remember that your teeth are vital as you eat and they help you to pronounce words as you speak. Your teeth also help to form the shape of your face. If you’ve seen someone who hasn’t got any teeth, you will have noticed that their face has a sunken appearance. Another important aspect of having healthy teeth is a great smile. There’s nothing worse than feeling as though you have to walk around with your mouth tightly shut because you’re ashamed of your teeth. Smiling makes you feel good and if you can’t smile there’s a good chance you will lose confidence.  All it takes to avoid all of these problems is few minutes each day spent on dental hygiene and regular dental check-ups.

…Infinite Life Fitness Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancake…

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Tis the season to enjoy things that taste like pumpkin!
Here is yet another great recipe for those who would like to have pumpkin for breakfast.  I will have to admit… This recipe makes the pumpkin flavor quite mild.  The banana and cinnamon are the first things that I initially taste, and then there is a slight pumpkin after taste.  If you would like more of a pumpkin kick I would suggest adding pumpkin spice to your mixture before you make the pancake.

Here is the recipe:

1 packet of protein (pumpkin protein meal replacement shake, if possible). OR 1 scoop of your own whey protein (to get it to taste like pumpkin if you use another flavor of protein powder other than the pumpkin flavored powder you will have to add pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree)

1 whole small banana

2 egg whites

1 tsp of cinnamon

Directions:

Mix all ingredients into a bowl like regular pancake mix, and cook like you would a regular pancake.

You can get creative and add nuts, fruit, berries, and even other spices.  You will want to be careful with what you do add to the mixture so that you do not change the texture and overall flavor of the pancake.  You can change it up however you would like!  I like to add Walden’s Farm Syrup to my pancakes OR you can try 1 tablespoon of fat free whip topping.

Feel free to watch as I make this live on the KTVO Morning cooking show:

Bodybuilding and Supplements

Are body building supplements necessary for results in weight lifting?

Weight lifting is increasingly competitive and it can be more and more difficult to gain that edge needed to achieve the success you crave. Obviously training and general fitness is essential for any professional athlete. But targeted training is only going to get you part of the way. Over the years there has been much discussion as to whether supplements are just making up for a lack of dietary quality. This is obviously not the case. Rather, they are essential in the promotion of fat loss and muscle build.

The use of supplements is just as essential as training regimes or tailored diets, to weightlifting professionals. All of these aspects have to be combi9ned to give you the advantage in competition. If you want to know the best options for you from a supplements point of view it’s a good idea to seek the advice of experts.

Purchasing supplements from the experts

If you buy supplements from a reputable expert then you can make sure you’re getting products that do the job you want them to, safely and efficiently. Wellness Fitness and Nutrition Network is a globally recognized supplier of supplements and hormone replacements products. It works with medical professionals to ensure that it is responsible in the provision of all products including anavar for sale.

The team at Wellness Fitness and Nutrition Network all have experience in the industry. They know what is required from supplements, steroids and hormone replacement treatment. Many of them have worked in the field of personal training or have experience as athletes. The want to make sure you get the best performance from the products you buy and that you stay safe while using them. If you approach experts such as Wellness Fitness and Nutrition Network you know you’re getting a product you can trust from professionals you can rely on.

What happens if you don’t use supplements?

With all the scare stories that circulate there some people, especially inexperienced weight lifters who are reluctant to add the taking of supplements to their routine. They believe that hard work, targeted training and a high protein diet should be enough to help them attain the muscle mass and level of performance they need.

Unfortunately for them, this isn’t the case. Competition in the weight lifting arena is fierce and any weightlifter is never going to achieve a significant level of success if they don’t use the right supplements to help them out. Meal replacements, fat burners and pre-workout supplements should all form an integral part of the day to day of any weightlifter. They aren’t magic and they won’t suddenly propel you to the top of the ladder, that still takes work and effort as well as skill.

Supplements will give you the edge that you need to make all the hard work pay off as you get the results you live for.

…FALL into fitness…

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As the seasons change, so do peoples choices stay active and fit. The cold weather rolls in, the holidays start to quickly approach, and life gets busier and complicated. You, me, EVERYONE has to remember the sole reason why they want to stay active, eat healthy, and continue to work towards whatever health goals are set.

What is your main reason for setting health goals? Do you have them written down? Do you review them regularly? What do you use to help keep you motivated and going towards your goals each day?

Everyone has to use this Fall season to “Fall into fitness”.  Set your goals and your priorities.  Make yourself and your health goals  just as important as any other duties or responsibilities you have in your life. YOU are the only person that can help you reach your goals.  You can not fake being healthy and fit.  You can have to work for it and make a complete lifestyle change.

Some people may have limitations.  These may be lack of money to have a trainer and lack of money to have a gym membership.  Here are a few at home workouts you can try to help get you started with your fitness journey: