When it comes to get slim fast diets, take them with a grain of salt (figuratively speaking).  Generally, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!  Losing and KEEPING weight off takes commitment and planning, so anything that promises 40 lbs gone in a matter of weeks is probably feeding you a load of bologna!  The public likes quick fixes but these types of diets usually only end up with more weight gained and unhealthy eating habits formed.  Here are some of the worse offenders:

1. One food only diets.

2. Raw foods only vegetarian diet.

1. Lower Back Pillow

Lower back pillows between the seat and the waist can help to reduce the chance of back strain, ache, leg pain, or tension.  This handy pillow is great for when you have to sit for a long length of time, such as during a road trip or while at work if you have a desk job.

2. Neck Pillows

For those who travel often or suffer from cervical conditions, there are many types of neck pillows that will allow you to experience comfort and the correct alignment. The c-shaped pillows can be put around your neck while on a long flight and allows you to sit up while being able to go to sleep without prompting a crook in your neck or muscle aches.

3. Full Body Pillows

These full length pillows support and align your body correctly while you sleep so that there is less chance of pain and body aches in the morning.  Pregnant women especially love the comforting plushness of the pillow.  One that wraps around the body such as the above photo will allow for sustained support even if someone turns over during the night.

4. Memory Foam Pillows

Nothing feels more customized than a memory foam pillow!  It contours to your specific measurements and weight, making sleep a truly luxurious experience.

5. Donut Pillows

These pillows look like their namesake and ease the discomfort of those who suffer from tailbone injuries.  The whole in the middle helps to keep pressure on the tailbone away so that there isn’t any pain.

Your body will often times tell you its needs and you simply have to pay attention.  These various pillows will have you on the road to ache-free days and comfortable nights!

1. Be realistic.

2. Get a support system.

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3. Practice portion control and watch calories.

4. Up your water intake.

5. Get moving.

6. Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast.

7. Set up a rewards system.

Stress or tension (primary) headaches...

can be caused by having stress physically on the body or mentally, such as having your muscles tensed in the wrong position like angling the neck wrong while sleeping or by too much work related stress in your life.  This type of headache can be a dull steady pain that can permeate through the neck, all over the head, temples, create tension in the scalp along with knotted shoulders.  Ways to alleviate the stress headaches include getting more rest, taking an over the counter headache reliever, keeping stress levels down, and stretching properly in the shoulders and neck area.

Another type of primary headache...

would be the migraines.  These are evident when blood flow is reduced to the cerebral cortex or there is a change in the contraction and expansion of blood vessels around the brain.  The intense throbbing pain can cause a high sensitivity to light, nausea or vomiting, numbness, and flashing lights along with blind spots in the sight.  Women are the more likely sex to have migraines and they can frequent during menstruation.

Cluster headaches on the other hand...

are more likely to affect men.  These are headaches that cluster in a certain area of the head (generally around the eye area) and happen over a period of days.  Excessive alcohol consumption can trigger a bout of cluster headaches.

Aspirin, a good nap, and dimmed lights is often enough to get rid of many headaches, but there are stronger measures for those suffering chronic headaches.  Check with your physician so that a suitable recovery regimen can be formulated for your specific pain relief needs.

Winning the battle of the bulge (around the waist) is a goal for many people in the United States. We have become a sedentary, overweight nation and the quest for fat burning diets that work is a valid pursuit. Here are some top foods that you should incorporate into your daily diet as well as recipes that will help to get you slim and trim! Drink plenty of water and add in 45 minutes of exercise every other day and you will be looking in the mirror at a new figure.

1. Monounsaturated fats...

...in moderation, are great for your system! This fat is found in avocado, olives, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate and helps to reduce things like heart disease. Our body needs good fats to function, so this type is the one to eat within a balanced diet. You’ll find that you become full faster, have energy for your workouts, and have handy snacks around when you need a pick me up at 3pm while at work.

2. Whole grains...

...such as oatmeal and seed/grain breads will make a great breakfast that keeps hunger at bay and aids in digestion. Eating a breakfast of whole grains will help the pounds to melt off because you stay full longer, it’s nutritious, and it provides ample fuel so that your blood sugar and energy doesn’t drop part way to lunch and you end up snacking on unhealthy vending machine treats.

3. Protein shakes and smoothies...

...made with whey and protein powder are fabulous ways to drink down hunger and boost energy levels! Some think that protein shakes are only for athletes trying to pump up at the gym, but that’s simply not true. Have one as a midday snack and you will feel energized to get through the day and because many flavors can hide in a smoothie, toss in ample berries, some veggies like spinach, and oils like flaxseed oil and you will get down some of your necessary vegetable intake.

4. Egg whites...

...are a real treat and help to fight belly fat! They contain lots of protein and metabolize fat with vitamin B12. An egg-white omlet for breakfast with a small bowl of oatmeal and berries could be just the kickstart that you need for your day, acting as a better meal than a bagel and cream cheese or sugary cereals!

5. Lean protein meats and fish...

...will help your body to get trim because it takes more energy (fat burning energy) to process proteins than fat or carbohydrates. Fish like salmons and tuna, lean beef, and turkey are great ways to incorporate this into your diet.

6. Get those dairy products into your system!

Yogurts along with low fat or skim milks and cheeses can help to get your waist tight because calcium is a fat fighting super hero and can even prevent it from forming.

7. Tea...

...is rich in antioxidants and fights off illness and pounds! Brew pitchers of iced tea to enjoy throughout the day or drink a couple of cups of hot tea and you’ll find that you are burning more calories than if you weren’t drinking the tea. There have been studies that show that people who drank tea about 4 times a day burned 260+ more calories a day than people who did not.

Now for some yummy recipes that are healthy and filling, which will get you going for your goal of a svelte figure.

Italian Zucchini Bake

1 can(s) (28-oz) diced, tomatoes
2 clove(s) (minced) garlic, or .25 tsp. garlic powder
2 tablespoon(s) (chopped) parsley, or 2 tsp. dried
2 teaspoon(s) (dried) basil
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 teaspoon(s) pepper
4 zucchini, about 1.25 lbs.
1/2 cup(s) (shredded) fat-free , mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup(s) (grated) Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine first seven ingredients. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes.
Cut zucchini into ¼-inch-thick rounds and sprinkle with salt. Drain on paper towels while you heat an indoor grill or stove-top grill pan to medium-high.
Coat grill pan with nonstick cooking spray. Grill zucchini for 4 minutes, or until slightly softened, turning over halfway through.
Remove bay leaf from sauce and pour half the sauce into pie pan. Arrange half the zucchini slices on sauce. Top with ¼ cup mozzarella and 2 Tbsp. Parmesan. Repeat layers, using remaining sauce, zucchini and cheeses. Bake for 40 minutes, or until center is bubbly.

Spiced Shrimp over Rice

1 pound(s) (large ) shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoon(s) (ground) cumin
1/2 teaspoon(s) cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon(s) cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/4 teaspoon(s) pepper
1 cup(s) white rice, uncooked
1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
large yellow onion, diced
1 (orange) bell pepper , diced
1/2 cup(s) (golden) raisins
14 can(s) (diced) tomatoes, in juice
juice of 1 lemon

Directions

In a medium bowl, toss together shrimp, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper; set aside.
Cook rice as package directs.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and peppers, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add shrimp and sauté 2 minutes, or until pink. Add raisins and tomatoes to skillet; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 3 to 4 minutes, or until shrimp is cooked through. Stir in lemon juice just before serving. Serve shrimp mixture over rice.

Protein Packed Breakfast Sandwich.

1 small turkey bacon
1 large egg
1 (whole-grain ) English muffin, split and toasted
1 slice(s) (fat-free) Cheddar cheese

Directions

Mist a small nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray; warm over medium-high heat. Add turkey bacon and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until browned. Remove bacon from pan; drain on paper towels.
In hot skillet, cook egg as desired. Place egg on one half of English muffin, top with cheese slice, bacon and remaining half of muffin.

Spinach and Chicken Casserole

2 cup(s) (cooked skinless) chicken breast, 2 cups cooked skinless chicken breast (10-oz. package cooked, diced
1 package(s) (10-oz.) frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup(s) (reduced-fat) sour cream
1/2 cup(s) (reduced-fat) mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon(s) (garlic) powder
1/2 teaspoon(s) black pepper
3/4 cup(s) (grated) Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup(s) (shredded, reduced fat) mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine chicken and spinach in prepared dish. In bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.
Add about 1/4 of cheese mixture to pan with chicken and spinach; mix well and spread evenly in pan. Top with remaining cheese mixture.
Bake in center of oven, uncovered, for 40 minutes, or until top is nicely browned.

Shrimp and Spinach Pasta

6 clove(s) garlic
1 pound(s) shrimp, peeled and deveined
zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoon(s) (chopped) flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
4 teaspoon(s) (extra-virgin) olive oil
8 ounce(s) whole wheat pasta, such as rotini, penne or shells
6 ounce(s) (baby spinach) rinsed and patted dry
4 teaspoon(s) (grated ) Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

Mince 4 cloves garlic. Mix garlic with shrimp, lemon zest, parsley and salt in a bowl; cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Crush remaining garlic and combine with olive oil in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
Prepare pasta according to package directions.
Coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and warm over medium-high heat. Add shrimp mixture, cooking shrimp about 3 minutes per side. Add spinach, drained pasta and oil mixture. Toss to combine; heat through. Serve immediately, topping with grated Parmesan if desired.

Meaty Pasta

1 pound(s) (90% lean) ground beef
1 pound(s) (Italian-style hot or sweet lean) turkey sausage , casings removed
2 clove(s) garlic, minced
2 teaspoon(s) (dried) oregano
1 cup(s) (diced) carrots, about 2 medium
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium yellow squash, chopped
2 whole(s) portobello mushrooms, chopped
1 can(s) (diced) tomatoes
1 jar(s) (26-oz) marinara sauce
1 pound(s) linguine

Directions

Warm a large skillet coated with olive oil-flavored nonstick cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and sausage to skillet along with garlic and oregano. Sauté until meat is no longer pink in middle, about 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon.
Add carrots and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add zucchini, squash and mushrooms, and sauté for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until vegetables soften.
Add tomatoes and marinara sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and toss with sauce in a large bowl.

Here’s to a skinny, healthier new you! Adding proper nutrients daily can help your body fight the fat for you!

Your body is one tough cookie, fighting off illness, staying functional, and being an overall well honed machine. Although it works very well through its own measures even without you paying super close attention to how, it does need help sometimes in building up its defenses. Here are some ways that will boost up your immunity:

1. Enjoy yourself.

Listening to your favorite music, hanging out with friends, and laughing a lot releases the body chemicals and anti-bodies that keep your body healthy and happy. Thinking positively also has the same effect, so trying to keep a bright outlook and cheerful mood will increase your chances of staying healthy.

2. Stay well rested!

Getting a good night’s sleep does more than help you keep bleary eyes at bay, it helps your body to fight off illness and remain balanced. Your skin fares better, mind becomes more focused, and the body works at its best!

3. Get outside.

Fresh air really does a body good! Walk your dog, play touch football with friends, chase your children around the park, just get out and enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise. These activities will not only help your weight stay stable, but will hinder the onset of illnesses because your body’s defenses will be stronger.

4. Eat right.

Having a balanced diet is your body’s best bet at functioning to optimal levels. Lemons and other citrus fruits are fantastic for the immune system, so adding oranges, grapefruits, and more to your diet will give you a tart kick to the day but also build up your immunity. Proteins are also useful for a stable diet and strong immunity as they supply important fuels to the body. Herbal supplements, teas rich in antioxidants, and leafy greens also create balance.

5. Stop smoking/drinking coffee.

Coffee can lead to dehydration and smoking is known to cause a plethora of harmful effects on the body, so stopping both habits will cause a surge in immunity boosting chemicals. Smoking suppresses white blood cells and the caffeine in coffee can deplete needed minerals! Increase water intake if you must have some caffeine.

A healthy body can be fully yours if you take the steps needed daily to boost up your immunity. Treat your body right and it will last you for as long as you live!

Training your body into a well honed machine is a task that requires major attention to detail when it comes to nutrition and a fitness regimen.  There are foods that work for maintaining a lean physique, foods that fuel you for a long game or for endurance, and foods that help to pack on muscles if that is the desired outcome.  Just what are these needed foods?  Let’s look at some now!

1. Almond Butter

This food is great for endurance and awesome as a healthy substitute for peanut butter.  Eaten on toast or with bananas, it is packed full of calcium, potassium, fiber, and protein.

2. Dairy products (cheese, milk, yogurt)

These have a great amount of calcium, which forms strong bones that in turn aren’t as susceptible to injury or being broken.  Don’t consume this right before an event, it’s more something to have as a part of your daily diet so that you can reap the benefits.

3. Salmon

Omega fatty acids from this fish will protect your cardiovascular health for athletic events and burns excess fat while maintaining your muscles.  As a rich source of protein, it will fuel your body just right for a race without making you sluggish!

4. Vegetables rich in iron

Having the right balance of iron within your system will pump energy throughout your body and restock the iron that is depleted from your body while exercising.  Stamina is amped up while fatigue is diminished by consuming vegetables such as chick peas, broccoli, and spinach, all of which contain great amounts of iron.

5. Bananas

Potassium speeds up recovery when working out and not having enough in your system could lead to muscle cramps but be sure not to over indulge in potassium because it can lead to a heart attack.

6. Oatmeal

By eating oatmeal before a sporting event, an athlete would get a surge of energy from the complex carbohydrates and because it is easily digestible, it wouldn’t slow down the body.

7. Quinoa

Packed full of nutrients, this is considered to be a powerful super food!  Athletes have been using it since ancient times in order to fuel the body for endurance.  The reason that it is called a super food is because it contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron along with all 9 essential amino acids!

For anyone trying to race, compete, or do anything at all athletic, these aforementioned foods will have you in great shape and are perfect for building up a well maintained physique.

Achieving optimal health is a worthy pursuit and many people document their journeys to healthy bodies on well done blogs.  Here are some of the blogs that you should check out in 2011 in order to get your health in order and find support through like minded people.

1. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ This is an incredibly resourceful site that shows recipes and marvelous articles such as how dairy can affect insulin, the importance of fitness for the elderly, workouts of the week, and just generally sage advice that will create a better you.  Daily bites from this apple will keep you in sound physical and mental shape.

2. http://ronisweigh.com/ Roni has lost 70 pounds through blogging and shares her health, fitness, and diet tips.  Now pregnant, she focuses on remaining healthy for herself and the baby and shows how you can be a healthy fit mommy as well.

3. http://www.yumyucky.com/ A hilarious food and nutrition blog that’s about “finding balance between fitness and your greedy side”.  This mother of 4 tests out health foods and rates their yum factor and price effectiveness while also giving fitness tips and up to date articles about fitness that she finds interesting.

4. http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com/ Wanting to stay healthy doesn’t have an age limit and this 65 year old has created a great blog showing that being fit after 40 is very possible.  He talks about health issues that arise with age such as arthritis and how different diets affect your metabolism and figure when older.

5. http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com/ Body image, self esteem, and mental health are the main topics of this wonderful blog.  Learn to love yourself, how you look, and figure out that you are worthy with much to offer the world!

6. http://losingweightafter45isabitch.blogspot.com/ This blog is hard on the food industry and gets you to really look and pay attention to what you are putting into your mouth and consuming.  It sheds light on consumer product claims and shows that losing weight is hard but doable, even after age 45.

7. http://www.healthyfellow.com/ Touted as the “natural health critic”, this blogger investigates alternative health remedies, shows the benefits of certain foods and vitamins, shares wisdom about health issues, and interviews health specialists.

8. http://www.fitsugar.com/ Fashionable health gear, numerous workouts, food/drink tips and much more are seen on this site for the savvy sassy fitness lady.  It’s like hanging out with your girlfriends and dishing to each other about staying healthy.

9. http://health-and-fitness-buzz.blogspot.com/ Like your health facts served up very professionally and like they are coming at you from a doctor?  This is the site for you then!  Learn about cholestrol, cardiovascular health, treating things like snoring, and clearing acne.

10. http://www.jonbarron.org/health-blog Nutraceutical researcher Jon Barron covers how to do healthy detoxes, anti-aging tips, weight loss, digestive health, and more.

Whether young or old, male or female, there are blogs that will suit your fitness needs.  No matter if you are already fit and want camaraderie or a newbie to fitness and need a helping start, these blogs can ensure that you are at your healthiest!

It’s quite easy to become sedentary and a homebody in the winter, trying to keep warm from the icy winds and cold snow.  Staying healthy and active in this type of weather for those who don’t like the cold can be a pain, but there are so many wonderful activities that will keep you in good shape mentally and physically while utilizing the winter wonderland of snow.

1. Go on a romantic skiing trip with a lover.

The romance prompted from cuddling on the ski lifts, learning the slopes together, and curling up with hot chocolate at the lounge afterwards in front of the fireplace is sure to light some sparks that will keep you and your sweetie mighty toasty!  Bundle up and have fun learning how to ski or sharpening your skills if you already know how to and then spend the evenings warming together.  Rent a cozy cabin and make use of the hot tubs that are generally found there!

2. Have winter fun with your kids outdoors by building a snow fortress and having a snowball fight, sledding, building a snowman, or making snow angels together in the piles of lush white snow.

Running around outdoors for a bit while wearing warm clothing and protective gloves and hats will keep you and your family active and spending quality time together!  Have some apple cider or hot chocolate hot and ready to drink when the fun time is over and the whole family will remember those good time memories.

3. Ice skating!

This winter activity can be done solo, with a friend or lover, or with the whole family.  Swirling and twirling on the ice could be a fun game where you could race each other, play hockey, or learn to do tricks such as figure 8s on the ice.  You won’t even notice how many calories you are burning because of how much fun you are having!  It’s great exercise and a way to utilize the great fun of winter.

4. Get a Wii Fit or Xbox Kinect.

These video game consules are good for those extra cold days where no one wants to leave the house and lets you still have the fun of playing a video game but also burns calories like a workout.  Instead of completely vegging out in front of the television or playing a normal video game sitting down, why not participate and bowl, box, kickbox, and dance your way to a lean healthy body?  No one will even notice that they are doing a workout because they’ll be too busy trying to top each other’s high scores!

5. Stay in bed!

Catching up on beauty rest is good for the soul so why don’t you relax a bit more when you can and recuperate with a comfortable day under the covers.  Getting enough sleep wards off colds, helps your immune system, and rejuvenates the body.  If you have a romantic partner, there’s no reason that a workout activity to burn calories can’t be included in the plans!

Winter doesn’t have to mean boring days of being couped up inside and sick.  Workout by having fun in the snow, play sports outside that only can be done in the cold weather, or snuggle up inside with the heat on to stay well and mentally sound.  Have a safe winter!