Despite the vast number of Michelin recognized restaurants in the country, it’s a known fact that we Americans still prefer to eat fast food. Ever since the fast food industry has taken its place over home-cooked meals, we started to forget how certain simple ingredients can be good and healthy for our bodies. By mere use of spices in the dishes we eat, we can actually help our bodies heal little by little and get stronger.

Though many studies have yet to declare a definitive statement on how certain spices can cure some diseases, there is certainly compelling evidence on how they can help manage certain conditions. Here are some of the spices that you should have stored in your kitchen for every day use.

Chili – Metabolism Booster

We surely appreciate how chili can add heat to the food we enjoy during cold weathers, but we can appreciate it even more for boosting our metabolism. The potent compound found in fresh chilis is capsaicin. This ingredient has been found to be responsible for increasing our body’s metabolic rate – helping us to burn more calories efficiently. Milder hybrid chilis, though may contain less kick in our palate, have been also found to have the same effects to their spicier counterparts.

Ginger – Soothes upset stomach and pain from arthritis

Ginger has been very useful among pregnant women in preventing morning sickness and an unsettled stomach. It has also been known to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy. Aside from its reputation of relieving stomach issues, daily intake of ginger can also reduce inflammation and pain from arthritis.

Cinnamon – Blood Sugar Stabilizer

There are some studies that confirm that daily intake of cinnamon can help stabilize your blood sugar levels. A teaspoon a day is said to control and fight blood sugar among those suffering with type 2 diabetes by lowering down the blood sugar every after meals.

Turmeric – Inhibits Tumors and Quells Inflammation

There are many turmeric benefits. Probably one of the most used spices in traditional medicine, turmeric is able to treat wounds. It’s also made in capsule form and produced in tea bags to improve the immune system to fight diseases.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) helps relieve pain, tone down and eliminate inflammation and prevent illnesses. It’s efficient in preventing heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.  It’s also known to inhibit tumor cell growth and neutralizes carcinogens. Today, many people take turmeric as a supplement in order to enjoy these health benefits.

Saffron – Mood Lifter

Persians traditionally used saffron to help lift their mood. Usually mixed in their rice dishes or prepared as tea, this herb relieves premenstrual symptoms and depression. A study conducted by Tehran University of Medical Sciences states that 75% of women who were given daily doses of saffron have reduced PMS symptoms.

Sage – Soothes Sore Throat

Sage has been traditionally used to treat sore throat. By sipping sage tea, or spraying a concentrated sage solution on sore throats, it delivered effective pain relief. Sage is also known to promote the enzyme that protects acetylcholine – a brain chemical involved in memory and cognition.

Whey protein has many properties that can suit many people with different needs. The most popular use of whey protein is by body builders and athletes, but whey protein isn?t just restricted to this area.

Body builders and athletes prefer to use whey protein to enhance their muscle?s performance. Whey protein is easy for the stomach to digest and is quick to enter the blood stream and feed the muscles. When you work out your muscles are put through vigorous strain and can suffer damage. The body then needs time to recuperate, to rebuild and repair the muscles, strengthening them and preparing them for the next workout. By using whey protein ensures your muscles get the fuel they need to be able to do this more effectively, helping them to grow stronger and leaner.

But whey protein is also good for those looking to lose weight. Whey protein is the main ingredient for most meal replacement supplements. High protein diets have been all the rage for many years, and there are many reasons why they are so popular and affective. However, some protein foods can still contain a high fat content. By replacing some of these foods with a whey protein shake dramatically decreases the amount of fat consumed whilst ensuring you get a good protein intake.

Whey protein is also good for people who have been ill or been in an accident. Because of the repairing properties whey protein contains, it helps to strengthen and repair the body after it has suffered the stress of an illness or injury, aiding towards a speedier recovery.

Whey protein is also good for elderly people who have a loss of appetite. Because of the small amount they eat, they may not be getting enough protein in their diet. By adding whey protein, either as a drink or sprinkled on the food they eat, helps them to consume the nutrients they need. And because whey protein is quick to enter the blood stream and travel to the muscles, it can reduce muscle and bone loss that often comes with elderly age.

Pregnant women can also benefit from taking whey protein. When pregnant, the body can require an extra 33% of protein. However, advice should be taking from a doctor before you add it or change your diet. Whey protein is also a key ingredient for infant formulas making formulas with whey protein as an ingredient the next best thing after breast feeding.

Type2 diabetes sufferers can also benefit from whey protein. Type2 diabetes is a growing concern for both children and adults due to the continued rise in obesity. Healthy nutrition can help to prevent or control diabetes. A good quality whey protein, which contains lower levels of fat and cholesterol, helps to control blood glucose levels in the body, and helps with weight management.

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Our lives can be long and enjoyable well into our golden years with the right amount of self-care and precautions.  It is important to properly prepare for this time in our lives by ensuring that we set ourselves up for success.  This means foreseeing issues before they arise rather than attempting to correct issues after they’ve become a problem.

It is important to practice self-care so that you can enjoy this special time in your life and make sure that you are as comfortable and well-equipped as possible.

Live Somewhere Easy To Navigate

Even if you are not currently in a wheelchair, the time may come in your later years that you may have to resort to wheelchair assistance.  This means not living in a house up a hill or with a lot of stairs.  Even if the day never arises when you need a wheelchair, you will still want to make sure that you have a house easy to get around in.

Too many winding stairs or obstacles can become a nuisance to get around in your older age.  Therefore make sure that your house is well equipped to make sure that you can get around effortlessly and with ease rather than grumbling in discomfort.

Live Close To Family

As we get older as much as we may dislike it, we require the help of others.  Living close to family is a way to make sure that you have the help you need on call at any given time.

Even simple tasks such as unloading groceries can become difficult as a senior.  Although it can be humbling to reach out and ask for help doing things that once came so easily, family is there to help and you should take advantage by living close.

Get Plenty Of Exercise

It is important to stay active even if that means only walking a few minutes a day.  By keeping our bodies active and well maintained we can extend our lives and increase our health.

Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of walking a day however if you suffer from joint pain or having issues walking you may want to discuss alternative low impact exercises that you can perform from the comfort of your own home. Perhaps a rowing machine, or perhaps even something like yoga.

Eat Wholesome Foods

Studies show that the diet and nutrition plays one of the largest roles in determining our health.  We are what we eat therefore if we eat a diet rich in wholesome foods derived from the Earth, our bodies will thank us for treating it kindly rather than filling it with harsh additives and chemicals.

If you do not usually sleep at night, chances are that you are aging faster than you should, and not feeling well and having confused thoughts. When we sleep, our body repairs the cellular level and removes toxins. Therefore it is necessary to sleep for at least six to eight hours daily. If you feel that you do not get enough sleep, yoga can help. Regular yoga practice is known as the cure of various problems, including insomnia or abnormal sleep habits. Yoga helps to get rid of stress at the end of the day and have better sleep quality at night.

A good night’s sleep really is within reach and the frequent treatment is to establish relaxation routines at bedtime. The following yoga stretches can help you relax and enjoy a peaceful sleep.

Bend towards the front (Hastapadasana): It helps to stretch the muscles of the back, invigorates the nerves system increasing the circulation of the blood and makes the spine flexible.

Cat Stretch (Marjariasana): Excellent stretch for the flexibility of the spine. It also helps as you massage the digestive organs and improves digestion, therefore it helps you to sleep well. It also improves the circulation of the blood and relaxes the mind.

Child’s Position (Shishuasana): A deep relaxation stretch for the back, which also helps soothe the nervous system so you can sleep peacefully.

Butterfly Position (Baddha Konasana): This pose can eliminate fatigue for long hours of standing or walking. It is also a good stretch for the inner thighs and groin and knees.

A collection of lay down yoga postures has given below.

Position of Legs on the Wall

• Lie flat on your back. Now raise one leg, then the other and rest your feet on the wall.
• – Extend the arms to the sides of the body with the palms upwards.
• – Now close your eyes and take deep inhalations while you relax in this position.

You can use a mask to cover your eyes and eliminate the light and relax completely.

• Stay in that pose while you’re comfortable and you can slowly recover by lowering your legs.
• Excellent position to rest your legs and feet, helps increase blood circulation to the brain and eliminates slight headaches and calms the mind.
• In addition to the above, lying down in Shavasana (corpse position) and Yoga Nidra after eating helps to relax the entire system.

Sleep experts often point out the effectiveness of creating a nightly routine to tell the body that it is time to prepare for sleep. You can choose to include Nadi Shodhan Pranayama in your ritual and release tension and relax into a peaceful sleep.

Other Tips to Help You Sleep Better

• Avoid doing Bhastrika, pranayamas and Sudarshan Kriya by the end of the afternoon. They fill you with energy and keep you from falling asleep.
• Avoid watching horror movies at night as thoughts of it stay in your mind throughout the night. It is a good idea to listen to quiet instrumental music, such as veena, or listen to songs or knowledge before preparing for sleep.
• Do your own sleep routine. Sleeping at any time during the day is not recommended. Interrupts the biological clock. The idea is to sleep in the afternoon about half an hour and at night a minimum of eight hours as a good practice.
• Introspection of what you did during the day. Feel happy, pray and go to sleep with a happy and relaxed mind. Have your bed clean before you go to sleep.
• End your evening meal at 8:30 p.m. Wait at least 2 hours between your last meal and bedtime.
• If you have had an argument with your partner or loved one, be sure to fix it before going to sleep. Staying this feeling may not only disturb your dream but also spoil your next day.
• Avoid taking stimulants at night specifically if you suffer from insomnia.