The Easiest Way to Get Fit Without the Gym

(www.agein.com article)
by Marni Andrews

There are many advantages to working out at home, two of the most obvious being not having to commute to the gym and saving on expensive membership fees. At-home fitness also means you skip the crowd that’s usually at the gym during peak hours—busy machines, limited locker space, and lack of privacy can turn off even the most committed exercisers. An at-home fitness plan can solve all of these problems.

At-home fitness can be useful for other reasons too, such as exercising with an injury or managing joint pain. In these circumstances, individuals who work out at home can focus on going at a pace that is comfortable for them instead of worrying about tying up communal machines for too long. Plus, the commute-free benefit of at-home fitness is even more valuable. Also, if you are trying to get fit at forty or fifty, and it’s been a while since you’ve done strenuous physical activity, it may be comforting to know that no one will be watching as you take your big step—albeit a slow one—toward healthier living.

Another advantage of at-home fitness is that you don’t need expensive, full-size equipment—using free weights can be just as effective, and they’re fairly affordable. The results of a study published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning showed that when women lifted weights as part of an hour-long strength-training workout, they burned more calories afterward than if they had skipped the weights. Researchers have also found that weight lifting works to fight intra-abdominal fat—it’s actually been shown to work better than doing just cardio.

If you build your at-home fitness routine around doing a group of exercises as a circuit—doing various exercises in a series with little rest in between—it can be as effective as working out on a machine. For the best results, you want to mix up your at-home fitness routine.

Your cardio workout can also be easily covered in your at-home fitness plan, again without any machines. No equipment is required to go for a brisk walk or jog around your neighborhood. Besides, fitness experts believe that it’s actually better for you to run outside versus on a treadmill because the uneven surface of the pavement forces you to use other muscles in your body that you otherwise wouldn’t engage when using a treadmill.

If you’re planning to take up at-home fitness, here are some tips to keep in mind to get the most out of your workout:

• When you work out at home, it’s much easier to slack off. Choose a regular time and stick to your schedule to make sure it becomes a force of habit.
• Pick something that will remind you of your at-home fitness routine, like a yoga mat or workout gear, and place it in plain sight as a reminder.
• If you’re trying to exercise for weight loss, keep a photo of you at your heaviest weight somewhere conspicuous so that you’re constantly reminded of what can happen if you don’t stick to your at-home fitness plan.
• At-home fitness doesn’t mean you need to stay home. Take it outside for a brisk walk, run, or bike ride. Head to the park and use a tree for standing push-ups, and a park bench for tricep dips.
• Amp up your at-home fitness routine by fitting in workout movements throughout the day. While brushing your teeth, stand against the wall and slide down till you reach a seated position. Hold the squat till you finish brushing your teeth. While watching TV, try holding a plank position for increasingly longer periods.
• If you’re having trouble sticking to your at-home fitness plan, tell yourself you just have to get through 10 minutes at first. Once you get used to it, increase the time by a few minutes each week.

One of the biggest obstacles to guard against with at-home fitness is lack of motivation. Because you’re not going to an actual gym, it’s easy to convince yourself that your workout isn’t as important. When you work out at home, treat it as seriously as you would a trip to the gym, and it won’t be long before you start noticing results.

4 Ways to Treat Pain Naturally

(www.agein.com article)
by Marni Andrews

Figuring out how to treat pain naturally may be somewhat new for scientists, but the method dates back thousands of years.

The first synthetic antibiotic drug, Prontosil, became available commercially in 1935, although the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Central American peoples all had the knowledge of using molds to treat infected wounds—their traditional means of how to treat pain naturally.

The first Aspirin, made from salicin in willow bark, was first bottled as a powder in 1899, but Hippocrates in ancient Greece is said to have known all about how to treat pain naturally with powder made from the bark and leaves of the willow tree.

While Prontosil and Advil both significantly impacted the management of pain and infection in the 20th century and onwards, it’s clear that there has been a long history of how to treat pain naturally using all-natural ingredients.

The body actually has its own natural pain reliever—chemicals called endorphins—that are produced in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body. When the body is in pain, endorphins are released to diminish the perception of that pain, and to act as sedatives. Endorphins also play an active role in stress management, but the body cannot get addicted or dependent on them the way it can with drugs like morphine.

When talking about how to treat pain naturally, endorphins are a key component. You can encourage the release of more pain-relieving endorphins by doing physical activity that gets your blood pumping. “Runners high” isn’t just a myth—it can actually make you feel better physically and emotionally, the perfect answer to how to treat pain naturally.

There are also certain ingredients that work well in terms of how to treat pain naturally. Here are four natural pain remedies:

Capsaicin: This is what makes hot peppers spicy. Capsaicin is the answer for how to treat pain naturally because it desensitizes the intensity of pain signals. It is available as a powder, dietary supplement, and topical cream. Capsaicin provides moderate relief for cluster headaches, joint pain, skin conditions, and nervous system conditions, such as shingles. One study found topical capsaicin produced a 50% reduction in pain. Another study showed that neuropathy patients who used a high concentration (eight percent) patch once for 60 minutes experienced effective pain relief for up to 12 weeks, proving that capsaicin can be an effective solution for how to treat pain naturally.

Vitamin D: Every tissue and cell in our body has a receptor for vitamin D and a study of 22 clinical investigations showed that those with chronic back pain almost always had insufficient vitamin D levels. Another study at the University of Minnesota found that 93% of those with non-specific, unexplained pain were deficient in vitamin D. Clearly, increasing the body’s level of vitamin D is essential when discussing how to treat pain naturally.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Glucosamine is naturally present in shellfish and animal bones. Chondroitin is present in shark and bovine cartilage. They are both part of normal human connective tissues. Taken alone or together for mild to moderate osteoarthritis, they can offer pain relief equivalent to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), making them an ideal alternative for how to treat pain naturally.

Turmeric: A component of curry powder, turmeric contains curcumin, which has traditionally been used for pain and wound healing. It eases inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. When looking for how to treat pain naturally with turmeric, try mixing the powdered spice with warm water or milk—it doesn’t taste the best but it works. You can also find it as a tablet supplement.

Whether you are facing cancer or heart disease, or dealing with depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis-induced joint pain, having the knowledge of how to treat pain naturally is one of the most valuable things you can possess. While prescription drugs are proven to work, in non-life threatening circumstances, going natural for pain relief can be just as effective.

Dear General Mills Beekeepers

by Marni Andrews

Dear General Mills Beekeepers,

Thank you so much for coming on board for what will be the Bee movie of 2007!

We are buzzing with excitement about the fit with the Honey Nut Cheerios brand, and our worker bees here at Segal are anxious to get started on such a sweet project.

Best regards,

The licensing team at Segal

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Nestle Indoor Family Picnic

(Nestle Carnation Ontario Family Fun Guide)
by Marni Andrews

Indoor family Picnic

Start a new family tradition with indoor picnicking.

Spread out a washable blanket or quilt and surround it with pillows.

To set the mood, try to find a CD of outdoor sounds such as insects, water running, birds, etc. Not so long ago a picnic wasn’t a picnic unless you had cold fried chicken and potato salad. If you want to start a new trend and involve the kids with preparation, why not cut sandwiches into fun shapes with cookie cutters?

Make juice in a big plastic jug and add plastic cups and plastic cutlery.

Finger food is the necessity here, so think cupcakes, dill pickles and bite-sized sandwiches to complete your indoor picnic.

Sunday Hot Chocolate Sundae Bar

How do you turn yet another dreary, cold afternoon into something warm and wonderful for you and your family?

Make a movie event extra special with a hot chocolate sundae bar.

Fill big mugs or deep bowls half full with steaming Carnation® hot chocolate, add a scoop of ice cream and let the kids go at it with a selection of fun sundae toppings i.e., bananas, Smarties®, Kit Kat® and Rolo® pieces and some coloured sprinkles, and we’re pretty sure you’ve got a winner on your hands!

Quick Tip:

For an extra-rich, creamy mug of Carnation Hot Chocolate try making it with milk instead of water.

Hot chocolate made with a ½ cup of milk will provide extra calcium, an important nutrient for strong bones and teeth!

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