Lose weight by eating slower?

As we were told when we were young, it is the simple things that give the most reward.  Nutrition and diet are very important parts of an over all health plan to be sure.  But, how and where can be a simple and effective tool to discuss and use.

In today’s super fast, instant gratification society, we rush around from activity to activity attempting to “get it all done.”   When we finally get around to a meal, we tend to stuff down the food faster and faster to keep up.  When it comes to eating, studies are beginning to show that this can be counterproductive.  We need to follow what our mothers told us; “slow down and chew your food!”

We learn more and more about how the body works, this is a great example:

1. Lose weight. A growing number of studies confirm that just by eating slower, you’ll consume fewer calories — in fact, enough to lose 20 pounds a year without doing anything different or eating anything different. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that you’re full. If you eat fast, you can continue eating past the point where you’re actually full.
2. Enjoy your food. It’s hard to enjoy your food if it goes by too quickly. Make your meals a gastronomic pleasure, not a thing you do rushed, between stressful events.
3. Better digestion. If you eat slower, you’ll chew your food better, which leads to better digestion. Digestion actually starts in the mouth, so the more work you do up there, the less you’ll have to do in your stomach.
4. Less stress. Eating slowly, and paying attention to our eating, can be a great form of mindfulness exercise. Be in the moment, rather than rushing through a meal thinking about what you need to do next.
5. Rebel against fast food and fast life. A hectic, fast-paced, stressful, chaotic lives — the Fast Life — leads to eating Fast Food, and eating it quickly. Rebel against that entire lifestyle and philosophy with the small act of eating slower.

excerpt from  http://articles.mercola.com

Hope these tips help you find better health and a more relaxed spirit!

Zicam Replacement- try sage and more!

White Sage

In June of this year Zicam was taken off the market because of possible side effects.  Anosmia- long-lasting or even permanent loss of smell has been reported.   Zicam was available as a nasal gel and a over the counter swab.

Here are some possible alternative methods to combat the aggravating symptoms associated with nasal irritations or colds.  Hope you can use a few of these suggestions!

from http://www.examiner.com/ and http://www.washingtonpost.com:

• The herb sage is good for stuffed noses, coughs, and sore throats. Put into water and gargle with it. A sage gives powerful antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal benefits.

• Myrrh is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory great for chronic sore throats. Another use for Myrrh is it helps to cure gum disease.

• Keep zinc lozenges on hand along with taking vitamin c. This will help the cold stay at bay.

• Dab small amount of mentholated salve under the nose, such as Vick’s. This will open the breathing passages rather quickly.

• Keep hydrated with water and hot teas. Green tea is a great way to sooth the throat and boosts the immune system. Green tea is known to have many antioxidants.

• Get proper rest; this is not the time to cheat the body of sleep. This is the time in which to build the immune system up being that it is working to fight off a cold and flu.

• Steaming is good for the soothing the throat as well as clearing the sinus. If you belong to a health club use the steam room, but otherwise take a hot shower.

• Eat chicken soup however you prefer be either chicken noodle or just the broth. This has been used for many years, and no one can explain why it works, but it does.