What is Maca Root?

Maca Root is a South American herb that is considered to be a powerful superfood. Maca is an adaptogenic herb, which means it aids in restoring the body’s normal homeostatic functions. Maca is used to increase energy, boost libido, increase stamina, stimulates blood circulation,  and even helps with hormonal balance in young women. Maca Root has been known to promote reproductive health in both men and women.

How Maca helps with Fertility

There’s no denying that Maca Root helps both men and women with fertility, which is why I might suggest that both spouses take Maca Root.

Maca Root helps with increasing a man’s libido, regulating estrogen levels, which ultimately increases healthy sperm production. All very good things for fertility.

For women, it’s important to have optimal estrogen levels. If estrogen levels are too low or too high, it can prevent a woman from becoming pregnant or remain pregnant until full term. Maca Root helps regulate the estrogen levels in a woman’s body, helping a women become pregnant.

How soon can Maca Root work? Many see positive results in the first few weeks of taking it. I found a Maca Root fertility “success story” which really tells you how beneficial this herb is with fertility: “How Maca Root Got Me Pregnant”.

In addition this that women’s story, I have personally known couple’s who have tried to get pregnant but couldn’t. Once the women started taking Maca Root, within a month or two, she was pregnant!

It seems so simple, right? That’s actually a reason why many won’t take Maca Root! It just seems too simple. I believe that herbs are on this earth for a reason, and they are here to benefit and heal our body! If you and your spouse are trying to get pregnant, you have nothing to lose by trying Maca Root.

How to Use Maca Root

You can use Maca in a powdered concentrate form, which can be mixed with flour for baking or blended in with smoothies or shakes. If you prefer not to mix it in with your meals, you can also try taking Maca Root in capsule form.

I found Organic Maca Root Powder at my local health food store, but if you can’t find it locally, you can easily buy the product online.

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Regular Exercise

Working out on a regular basis helps with many things. I will briefly discuss some of the many health benefits of working out on a regular basis:

•Drops  Insulin levels -High Insulin levels are dangerous since it is the root cause of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, etc. Cardiovascular Exercise is a natural way to lower your Insulin levels.

•Treats Type 2 Diabetes - A couple of the possible side-effects of Diabetes is Heart Disease and Kidney Disease. Both are very serious conditions, and exercising on a regular basis (including a healthy diet) can greatly reduce the chances of having Diabetes.

•Lowers Blood Pressure – If you have High Blood Pressure, you are at risk for Heart Attacks, Strokes and even Kidney failure. High Blood Pressure can be caused by poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and abundant amounts of stress. To help lower your Blood Pressure, it is important to eat healthy (every day, not temporary!) and Exercise on a regular basis. I have personally found that when I am stressed, I need to have a good work out or else it will negatively effect my health.

•Lowers Cholesterol – High Cholesterol is dangerous because it is something that is seen after many years of poor eating and the effects can be quite serious. High Cholesterol causes a plaque buildup in your arteries which can lead to Heart Disease, Heart Attack, and Stroke. It was once believed that only those who were overweight suffered from High Cholesterol levels, but you can be “skinny” and still have high cholesterol. Like I have said many times before…the whole point of eating healthy and exercising is to be Healthy, not necessarily “Skinny”, because “Skinny” doesn’t always mean “Healthy”. Focus on what’s important here!

•Prevents Obesity – Being overweight and obese causes some serious health concerns. Many people suffer from Impaired Immune Systems, Liver Disease, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Back or Shoulder Pain, Stroke, Sleep Apnea, High Cholesterol, Cancer, Type 2 Diabetes, and the list goes on. These are all very serious issues that are all very preventable. Eat well and Exercise on a Regular basis!

•Treats Depression – You would be amazed how much exercising can help prevent and treat Depression! When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are a natural feel-good hormone. Ever heard of a “Runner’s High”? Go out for a run (or walk!) and notice how much better you feel! Bottom line: If you want to be Happy, go Exercise!

“I don’t necessarily believe that you need to take expensive medications to solve many health issues.  The root of the problems are usually because your body is lacking proper nutrition and exercise. Your body needs regular exercise, and most people don’t make the time to exercise as often as their body needs it. ”

~Twinkie

Where to Start?

You may not be able to run, but what about walking? If you can’t walk,  what about clapping your hands or moving your feet? You have got to start somewhere.  Stay consistent, and you will notice the results!

The best way to maximize your exercise regime is to have healthy, well-balanced meals. Your body doesn’t want or need processed sugars, fattening or fried foods- no matter how much you are craving them!

Now it’s time to go out and exercise!

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Get rid of Acne

What actually causes acne? This is a great debate, and you can have acne for several reasons. Here are some common causes of Acne, and how you can get rid of it.

•Wash your face before you go to bed – This seems like an obvious technique to prevent and get rid of acne, but it must be said! If you want to get rid of acne, you must wash your face before you go to bed, especially if you wear make-up. When you wash your face with your cleanser, rinse your face with warm water (this opens up your pores and gets rid of the make-up and dirt on your face), then splash your face again with cold water. You want to end with cold water since it will tighten your pores and prevent your pores from being exposed to dirt, make-up, and other bacteria – all which would cause breakouts.

•Stop touching your face –  Whether you realize it or not, you are probably touching your face a lot throughout the day. First order of business here is to stop touching your face! Your hands are not as clean as you may think, and when you constantly touch your face to either ease a scratch or move your bangs out of your eyes – all of this causes pimples.

•Workout with shower afterwards – Working out is a great way to get rid of toxins in your body by sweating. This is something that can actually help you get rid of acne. The problem comes when you sweat and don’t shower afterwards. Be sure to take a shower afterwards rather than hitting the sofa for a quick snooze!

•It may be the make up – Not all make up is created equal. Depending on what type of foundation you are using, your acne might just be
from the make-up that you are using. Be sure to look for a foundation that is either “oil-free” or “non comedogenic”. If you are able to, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go a day or two without any foundation make-up at all. Perfect excuse to stay in on a Saturday and watch chick flicks with the girls. By doing this, you are giving your face a break from your make-up, which can help you clear up your skin.

•Don’t Stress! – I hear that many people link stressful situations with acne. Don’t stress about it, and stop worrying about it. It won’t make your acne go away. Focus on the positive, and imagine yourself with clear skin.  Acne isn’t the end of the world, and there are natural ways to help you get rid of it. That’s why I am writing this post in the first place.

•Drink lots of water – Water is a natural, zero calorie way to cleanse your body. Be sure that you are drinking enough water every day. A habit that is good for you – inside and out!

•It’s your eating habits - This is the most understated cause for acne. A lot of people may feel that your eating habits have nothing to do with your acne, and unfortunately, they are just plain wrong!

“Diet plays a big part in your skin. Your skin is your biggest organ, so if you are polluting your body with bad food, your skin will be the representative of those bad habits” says Sabrina Lytle, Aesthetician and owner of Ambrosia Lashes.

Food has more to do with your acne than you realize. Avoid a diet that will increase the insulin levels in your body. Basically, avoid processed sugars and all grain carbohydrates (which just turn into sugar). Yes, if you want to get rid of your acne, you need to stop eating candy, chocolate, cereals, bread, pasta, corn, rice, and potatoes. Be sure to get carbohydrates through vegetables, since your body needs carbohydrates – now you will just have a healthier version of it. Once you have gotten rid of your acne, you can slowly incorporate those foods back into your diet, but in limited quantities. Always choose the healthier version, if there is one. Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate, or brown rice over white rice.

Do it Yourself

If you are looking for a quick, easy, and cheap at-home regimine for skin care, Sabrina Lytle says to “Mix salt and lemon juice and do a light skin scrub. Afterward, take RAW honey and put a light layer on your skin and leave on for about 20 minutes. Raw honey has many antioxidants and properties that are very helpful to use on skin that has acne or irritation caused from a sensitivity to products”.

What NOT to do!

•Antibiotics - This may get rid of the acne, but it also gets rid of a lot of healthy bacteria in your body too! Plus, once you stop taking the medication, your acne comes back. Isn’t it just better to get rid of the root cause in the first place?

•Birth Control Pills - Trying to get rid of acne isnt a reason to start taking birth control pills. Birth control pills have synthetic hormones, and the long term side effects aren’t worth the clear skin in the end.

•Salicylic Acid – This is the main ingredient in Aspirin. When did acne become so bad that you needed to take a drug to get rid of it? Yes, acne can get pretty bad, but there are natural, healthy solutions to solving this issue. Taking a drug isn’t one of them.

•Benzoyl Peroxide - Many people are tricked into believing that this is the miracle acne cure. Unfortunately, these “reputable” sources don’t tell you that it will dry out your skin, increase redness and irritation on your face, and won’t actually get rid of the problem. The company wants you to keep buying their product for more than just a one time use.

Good luck with your clear skin endeavors – remember to be patient (try!), and get rid of your acne – naturally! You will be happy you did!

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There are a lot of people still debating on whether they should buy Organic or not. Let’s set the record straight once and for all when it comes to Organic.

Definition

Organic food is grown, processed, and packaged without the use of agricultural chemicals, artificial colors or flavors, genetic modification, irradiation, or other synthetic ingredients.

Per the National Organic Program, here are some definitions that should help clear up their labeling:

“‘100 Percent Organic’ must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients and processing aids.

Products labeled ‘Organic’ must consist of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Any remaining product ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances approved on the National List including specific non-organically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form.”

Later, the National Organic Program addressed the term “made with organic ingredients”. They wrote:

“Processed products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase “made with organic ingredients” and list up to three of the organic ingredients or food groups on the principal display panel.”

Something good to know: If you use the USDA Organic seal on your products that are not produced or handled within the National Organic Program’s regulations, you can have a civil penalty of up to $11,000 US Dollars. Ouch!

Just so you know, products labeled as “Naturally Grown” are not regulated. Some smaller farms who can’t afford to join the National Organic Program to be labeled as “USDA Organic”, can label their products as “Naturally Grown”. Since it isn’t regulated though, there are no guarantees on what you are really getting with this label.

Organic Farms

Having an Organic Farm is a strict business, and as you now know, you can’t just mark up your products as “USDA Organic” just for the fun of it. Organic farms do not use synthetic chemicals or drugs. They instead treat their soil, plants, and animals with natural products, which are a much safer alternative. They have surprise inspections by Inspectors who test the water, soil, plants (or animals) to make sure that everything is within USDA Organic standards. Once they do this, they review receipts from anything from feed to other records of reports and tests. This takes time and money, done twice a year, and the organic farmer pays for the fees involved to be able to label their products as “USDA Organic”.

Nutrition

The debate on whether Organic is really worth the usual additional costs seems to boil down to the common question, “Is Organic healthier for you?” or “Is Organic more nutritious?”. The answer to both of the questions is a simple “Yes”.

According to Virginia Worthington MS, ScD, CNS, in her article “Nutritional Quality of Organic versus Conventional Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains” in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, she found in her studies:

“…the vitamin C content of an organic fruit or vegetable is 27% more, on average, than a comparable conventionally grown fruit or vegetable.”

She also found from the various produce she studied, that  you can, on average, find about 21% more Iron, 29% more Magnesium, and 13% more Phosphorus. You will find about 15% less Nitrates. This is all very good news for your body, and more reason to stick to Organic produce.

The Nutrients come from the soil, which then in turns feeds the plant what it needs to produce healthy good-for-you produce which we get to enrich our own bodies with. If the soil is infested with pesticides and harmful chemicals, it will be lacking in nutrients, and the produce will in turn be depleted of nutrients.

Keep in Mind

When you do see “Organic” Chocolate bars, for example, it doesn’t mean it is all of a sudden it will be considered “healthy” or even “low calorie”. It still is sugar, candy, and not to be considered as food. Organic Candy is still Candy! Keep that in mind while you are in the grocery store, and try to stick with foods in its natural form. For example, choose fresh Organic Pears versus Canned Pears.

Your body deserves the best, and it deserves Organic.

Keep updated on the latest & greatest health articles by joining the Skinny Twinkie community!

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Health Benefits

This is a natural and healthy toothpaste that contains Xylitol to prevent plaque, Propolis and Myrrh for a clean and healthy feeling, and is a Fluoride-Free toothpaste.

From what I have studied about Fluoride, I have come to find that it is nothing more than a toxic waste that was added to toothpaste with the intent to build bone health, but this is something that has never actually been proven.  Excessive Fluoride has been proven to cause Fluoride Poisoning, also known as “Flurosis”, which can cause Osteoporosis, Bone Spurs, Chronic fatigue, and can even be deadly. I believe you can properly clean your teeth without having to risk your health.

Side Note: If you shouldn’t have fluoride for your toddler’s toothpaste, why would you allow it in your own toothpaste?

Taste

This is flavored with Fennel, which reminds me of the taste of  an all natural licorice! Since I like black licorice, I don’t mind the taste at all. It is not a very strong taste, so even those who are not a big licorice fan shouldn’t have a problem with it. They do have other flavors if you feel the taste might be an issue.

Additional Information

To learn more about Tom’s of Maine products and information, feel free to visit tomsofmaine.com

Image Credits: Tom’s of Maine.

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Honey is very good for you, but you must know that not all Honey is created equal. Before I go into the many Health Benefits of Honey, I want to first share with you several different types of Honey, so you can be sure you are only getting the best out there.

Different Types of Honey

Honey

Just because you are buying “Honey”, doesn’t mean it is truly “All Natural”. Most honey on today’s market is processed, leaving out all of the good stuff, which is the reason why you would want honey in the first place!

Commercial Honey (the typical Honey bear you see on store shelves) is treated with an intensive heating process that destroys the nutrients of Honey. Don’t always trust your Local Honey either, since many of them will use very little local honey, and then they will mix it with other commercial or off-shore (cheaper) brands of Honey- and yes, they can call it “Local”.

Raw Honey

Raw honey isn’t processed, but is minimally filtered. In it’s pure and raw state still in tact, you will be able to enjoy the maximum amount of honey’s natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and vital phytonutrients, where all the nutrients are still preserved.

With Raw Honey, you won’t get that perfect golden glow look of Honey, but you will get the enzymes that help you digest honey, which is something your body needs.

Raw Creamed Honey

If you want to buy Raw Creamed Honey (my favorite), just be sure that is is un-filtered and you will receive the same health benefits of regular Raw Honey.

Certified Organic Raw Honey

For Honey to be Certified Organic, the beehives must be miles away from dense population, industry, traffic congestion, and farm fieldstreated with chemicals and/or landfills. Bees have a natural 4 mile flying radius, so finding the land that can meet the strict requirements  for Certified Organic Raw Honey can prove to be quite difficult. Yet,  the Honey from the wild vegetation can create some of the best tasting Honey on the market.

Nutritional Benefits

Raw Honey is a source of simple carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Depending on which flowers the honeybees went to, the Honey itself may include…

Vitamins: Niacin, Riboflavin and Pantothenic Acid

Minerals: Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc

Raw Honey has a polyphenols, which act as an antioxidant.

Healing properties of Honey

Raw Honey is an oral antibacterial (polyphenols). Raw Honey has been used as a natural treatment for many things, including coughs, sore throats, and even healing infections and burns.

Children with diarrhea are usually given some kind of sugar solution to help rehydrate them, but others have found that if you use Raw Honey instead, the Honey kills the bacteria in the intenstines, and stops the diarrhea altogether.

There is a Raw Honey that is indigenous to New Zealand, and people have found that the Raw Honey taken daily (4 tablespoons) was able to reduce the symptoms of the stomach Ulcer. The Honey helps because it is able to kill the bacteria that causes the stomach ulcers in the first place.

Now that you see the Many Health and Healing Benefits of Honey, you now have plenty of reason to replace your Sugar with it in no time!

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I like clothes. I like to shop for clothes. So naturally, when I wanted to lose weight, I gave myself a shopping trip as my reward for when I reached my goal. I put money aside each month for my shopping trip, which I couldn’t touch until I reached my goal size/weight. So on Saturday afternoons when I wanted to go out for a shopping trip, I didn’t. It is what pushed me to be able to stick with eating healthy and exercising. Trust me, I stuck to it! If you want something bad enough…you will make it happen. And trust me, shopping for clothes in my new size was well worth the wait.

What motivates you to stay eating healthy and exercising? I would love to hear from any additional ideas you have!

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Believe it or not, I wasn’t always a fan of exercising….

When I thought of exercising I just thought of sweating, lifting weights, and trying to catch my breath. It has taken me years,  but I have come to love working out.

I think the trick is just finding something that you love, and it becomes easy to stick with it. I started out with Dance. Dance worked for me because I love music, and it was just so much fun to move with the music. I could dance for hours on end, and I have before.

If you are in an exercise routine that you absolutely hate, try to find an alternative that still gives you the same benefits. Again, if you actually enjoy what you are doing, you will make the time to make it happen, won’t make excuses on why you can’t keep it up, etc. You want to be happy with what you are doing with your time, exercising included.

So what is an exercise that you love to do?

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I like to try new things. When it comes to food, I get bored easily. I just can’t seem to eat the same thing over and over again. So, as I am grocery shopping (something I just love to do), I take my time looking at what products are out there. I come home with new things all the time to just try it out, and hopefully find something new my husband and I will both love. Some things I have brought home haven’t been so successful. I have thrown away some food because of this (not something I am proud of), but I am hoping by posting about some of the more successful finds, it will help you find something you too will enjoy.

Don’t be scared to trying new things…you never know what you will discover.

Bon Appetit!

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Nutrition. So many words and thoughts come to mind…

I started eating extremely healthy and began exercising on a regular basis, but I wasn’t losing any weight. Turns out, I was consuming quite a bit of calories, and If it weren’t for my daily exercise routine, I probably would have been gaining weight! Yes, gaining weight on carrots and apples. Ok, not just on carrots and apples, but I think you get my point. What I have come to find is, our bodies are like a math problem. We can figure out how many calories you need each day living your life and maintain your current weight. You can also figure out by simple math how to lose or gain weight.

If you want to lose a pound of fat, you need to either burn 3,500 extra calories or eat 3,500 calories less, or a combination of the two. Combination of the two is preferred (and I think it’s easier!). For example, If you just wanted to lose 1 pound a week, you could burn 300 calories a day by doing some cardio, and then consuming 200 calories less than you normally eat.

It might be a good idea to count calories until you get the hang of what you should be eating. It might surprise you how much calories you are consuming each day, and even more of a surprise to find out how many servings you are eating!

With calorie counting, you might think you can eat whatever you want. Technically, you can, but it’s not recommended. I remember eating something unhealthy like a candy bar, and since I was counting calories and staying within my daily “budget”, I thought I was OK. Problem is, I was hungry. Very hungry and miserable, and that can’t be good for anyone who is trying to stay within a certain amount of calories. Candy can only satisfy you momentarily. Real food is what is going to give you energy, make you feel good, and keep you going throughout the entire day.

As far as calories go, you do not want to consume less than 1,000 calories in a day. Talk to your doctor or a professional nutritionist to find out how many calories you are supposed to consume. Typically, you don’t want to lose more than 2 pounds in a week. Losing 2 pounds in a week is a lot, maybe even more than you think. Be patient, and realize if you start losing more than 2 pounds a week, it could be muscle. This isn’t a good thing, since muscle is what is helping your body lost fat in the first place. Again, consult a Doctor or Nutritionist before you start any diet/exercise plan.

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