Celebrate National Nutrition Month with an energy-boosting diet

March is National Nutrition Month. We know there’s less than a week left, but we think celebrating nutrition should be a yearlong activity!

What we eat has a lot to do with how we feel, and if you’re feeling sluggish, lethargic or just plain lifeless, it could be due to what you’re putting in your body. Celebrate the tail end of National Nutrition Month by boosting your energy with nutrition. Here are a few suggestions:

• Eat some red bell peppers. Just one contains almost four times your daily recommended value of vitamin C!
• Combine a carb and a protein for an energy-building breakfast. Half a bagel with low-fat cream cheese or yogurt with fresh berries and granola are delicious and nutritious ways to kick-start your day.
• Dark chocolate is thought to be an energy booster, so don’t feel guilty about indulging in a couple squares of this good stuff if you need a little pick-me-up. (But no, this doesn’t include a king-size Snickers bar!)
• Drink up! Dehydration will make you sleepy, so always have a water bottle on hand and keep filling it. An added bonus is that drinking plenty of water may minimize your appetite as well.
• Get rid of the processed junk. Processed carbs such as white bread, pastries, doughnuts and other sweets are energy’s enemy.
• Potassi­-yum? Try a banana with peanut butter (for added protein) for a tasty get-up-and-go snack.
• Go nuts! Cashews, almonds and hazelnuts are great sources of protein, which is vital for keeping up energy levels.
• Fill up on fiber. Beans, fruits, leafy greens, whole-grain breads and fortified cereals are all great sources of it.

Adding an all-natural supplement to your diet could help as well. The herbal supplement Tenaga may support overall energy and well-being.

Ten strategies to give your sex life a lift

Bored in the bedroom? Do you and your partner experience more excitement from watching reality TV than from enjoying each other’s company? Candlelight and romantic music are nice but did you know that your diet and lifestyle might have a more lasting impact on your love life?

Think about it. When you are in good shape, you feel better about yourself and you’ve got more stamina. It all fits together. Short-term performance solutions may sound inviting, but to put the spark back into your love life day in/day out, there are other simple strategies to consider.

Here are my first five strategies for living a “better sex” lifestyle. Get together with your partner and have fun turning these simple ideas into lifelong habits. Check back next week for “Part Two”.

• Honey, call the doctor! As soon as you notice an issue in your love life, get over any embarrassment and talk with your doctor. Low libido and/or sexual performance issues can be early warning signs of everything from cardiovascular disease and hypertension to thyroid disease or other hormonal disorders. So the first thing you must do is have a medical professional rule out an underlying health condition.
• Laugh and chill out. Mother Nature was smart. She didn’t want us having babies during stressful times. Stress lowers testosterone, an important hormone for our libido and performance. Find activities that help relieve stress on a regular basis, and stick with them.
• Kick the smoking habit. Smoking can damage the blood vessels that affect performance.
• Think ‘better sex through nutrition’. Processed foods and high fat diets have been linked to poor sexual performance and libido. So instead of a burger or pizza, choose foods that may help boost libido and arouse passion such as avocados, almonds, basil, dark chocolate and garlic. Who knew that guacamole was an aphrodisiac?
• Schedule romance before dinner. If you’re going to unzip your pants, make sure it’s for reasons of romance—and not because you’re so bloated that it’s either unbutton or risk cutting off circulation. There’s nothing like a big, heavy meal to crush your performance and desire, especially if it includes alcohol.

JJ Virgin is one of the nation’s foremost fitness and nutrition experts, an accomplished public speaker and media personality. Her 25 years in the health and fitness industry, the past 10 in holistic nutrition and functional medicine, have earned JJ recognition as the go-to weight loss expert who can unlock the door to lifelong weight management through her sensible, no-fail approach to nutrition and fitness. JJ is the author of Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy published by Simon & Schuster Gallery and the co-star of the TLC reality series, Freaky Eaters.

Spices For Energy, Health and Longevity

Source: Yahoo! Health

The colder weather is beckoning us back to our kitchens. Break out the spices and bring warmth, robust flavor, and a bounty of health benefits, including higher energy, increased immunity, and other life-enhancing surprises. 

Considered to be dried seeds, fruit, roots or bark, spices have been valued for centuries by ancient cultures for their culinary and medicinal properties. For instance, a traditional Indian beauty trick was to spread turmeric paste on the skin to beautify it and prevent pimples. Chinese doctors have used ginger since ancient times to cure aches and pains. 

Dr. Maoshing Ni recently discussed how nine specific spices can enhance health energy and longevity for Yahoo! Health.  [Read full article]

5 Ramuan Secrets for Boosting Energy

Short of throwing back a couple energy drinks or running up your Starbucks card every day, what can you do to naturally keep your energy up Monday through Friday? Just ask yourself one simple question: WWMD (What Would the Malaysians Do)? Malaysians follow the ancient traditions of ramuan (which means “synergy), and it’s all about balance, moderation, a holistic approach and attuning the body’s energies with the rhythms of nature. Here are 5 natural ramuan secrets for boosting energy:

1. Exercise – Studies have shown that regular exercise plays a significant role in increasing energy levels, reducing fatigue and increasing sexual desire. The Malays have long practiced traditional exercise that is a series of bodily movements combined with breathing techniques known as senaman asak badan. Many of the postures resemble elements from the natural world (think yoga)--for example, bending tree, tiger, snake, warrior and blowing flute pose. Benefits include improved flexibility, agility, endurance, and strength. 

2. Detox – Herbal cleansing is a part of the Ramuan regimen. Biotropics Ramuan’ Men’s Detox and Women’s Detox offer a natural way to help purify and rejuvenate the body based on Malaysia’s centuries-old traditions and practices. The men’s formula includes seven plant extracts, plus a special herb coating as well as phyllanthus and ginger, which are traditionally used for cleansing, rejuvenation and digestive and liver health. The women’s formula helps promote a youthful complexion and support improved digestion and rejuvenation.

3. Massage – Massage has been known to improve energy levels. Traditional Malay massage or urut Melayu, a deep-tissue oil massage with long kneading strokes, focuses on the flow of blood in the urat or veins and arteries. Its aim is to stimulate energy points and loosen and warm up muscles among other things. If you can’t afford a trip to the spa, ask your partner to give you a hand! 

4. Herbal Supplements – Think it’s hard to pronounce herbs like Tongkat Ali or Kacip Fatimah? Try finding them in your neighborhood supermarket. Biotropics Ramuan makes it easy to harness the energy of these rare, potent Malaysian herbs with TenagaXX (men’s) and Asmara (women’s). Kacip Fatimah has been known to promote energy and vitality, postpartum firming and toning, and supports overall emotional well-being in women. The better known Tongkat Ali promotes male sexual vitality, overall energy, and well-being.

5. Foods – Most people know that greens pack a potent punch, but why not turn it up a notch? The Malaysians typically eat ulam, a fresh leafy herbal salad at lunch or dinner. They believe it has anti-aging properties (a recent study showed that it has significant antioxidant activity). For adventurous foodies, here's a recipe to try out. While finding actual ulam is not practical for most of us in the U.S., Biotropics Ramuan makes it easy for people around the world to enjoy the health benefits of ulam through its Ulam Antioxidant Blend, a unique composition that contains 7 herbal extracts. It’s where food meets medicine.