The fundamental theory behind Paleo dieting is that you can’t eat anything that people from the Paleolithic era couldn’t eat. Think hunting and gathering in the 21st century.

What is Paleolithic?

The Paleolithic Age or Era is often called the Stone Age. This era is distinguished by the development of tools for which to hunt and gather. The era ended with the introduction of agriculture (growing crops). The primarily ate fish, shellfish, leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts and insects.

Paleolithic people tended to experiences less famine and malnutrition than those who came after them because they were not dependent on farming. The great amount of meat hunted by the Paleos would account for why they were more nutritious than their successors. Paleos are also less likely to be afflicted with modern ailments like Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease.

The latter parts of the Paleolithic Era saw them practicing animal husbandry as part of their diets. Animal husbandry is the raising of livestock to later eat them.

What is the Paleo Diet?

Those following the Paleo diet try to replicate the ancient diet of our paleo-ancestors. The diet centers on commonly available modern foods consisting mainly of meat, fish, vegetable, fruit, roots, and nuts. The Paleo diet excludes grains, legumes, dairy products (controversial), salt, refined sugar and processed oils.

The rules for food are not complex – the hard part is avoiding the “fake foods.” Here are some important things to consider:

• Avoid walking down the aisles at grocery stores at all costs. Packaged and processed food is a no-no and grocery aisles are bursting with fake food.
• PROTEIN AND CARBOHYDRATES: since much of the carbohydrates are eliminated from your diet, the ratio of protein is much greater. Paleos have slender, lean bodies from eating plenty of protein.
• Say good-bye to breaded everything.

Before the 1980s and the rapid expansion of air transport, people simply had no other choice but to eat foods that were in season if they wanted something fresh, and not frozen or canned. This meant, for example, lots of salad, beans and corn in summer; apples and pears in the fall; potatoes and turnip in the winter; and asparagus, carrots and cherry tomatoes in the spring. Our bodies have gotten used to these wonderful recipes that give us a taste of winter or a blast of summer, not to mention the other perks that go along with it.

Below are just a few of the reasons why you should opt for local foods instead of imported ones.

Advantages:

• It’s tastier. Foods in season taste the best. They are freshly picked so they will have more flavor than, say, fruits that come up from Chile and are already starting to deteriorate from the long distance transport. Food that has been grown out of its season in glasshouses will often be bland and tasteless as well.
• It’s healthier. Food that hasn’t been stored or transported long distances will have more vitamin C. Not to mention that local foods are more likely to be organically grown or at least to have fewer pesticides and other growth hormones in them.
• It’s better for the planet. Taking a trip down to your local farmer’s market is more environmentally friendly than the average 1500 mile truck or plane ride that it takes for fresh food to reach the consumer. Plus buying local produce also reduces the unnecessary packaging that is seen in wide scale commercial goods.
• It encourages local business. Encourage economic growth in your area by supporting local farmers.

What You Can Do

While a diet of strictly local foods is difficult to adhere to, you can definitely eat a lot more of them. Opt for foods that are locally grown and in season whenever you can. They are not only tastier, but more nutritious and better for the environment. Consider freezing, or pickling freshly picked fruits and vegetables to enjoy them in the off season too.

But just how healthy is this habit? Some experts have linked it to increased health problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and IBS. While more recent research has refuted these theories and indicates that coffee does not have to be a guilty pleasure. The truth is that coffee is a safe and natural beverage choice. In fact, more and more credible research sources are finding that coffee can even take a preventative role in these same diseases it was thought to cause such as various cancers, diabetes and Parkinson's' disease to name a few. Below are a few more reasons why you shouldn’t give up your daily caffeine jolt, as long as you enjoy it all in moderation.

Coffee Benefits

A regular cleansing ritual is important to maintaining great looking skin. Yet most commercial facial cleansers probably leave you with more skin problems than what you started with. What is going on here? Well, most of these cleansers in their attempt to leave the skin squeaky clean actually strip the oil out of your skin. This unfortunately means our skin has to repair itself and does so by generating more oil and essentially over-compensating for this severe lack of moisture. This leads to trapped debris, acne and blackheads.

And to make matters worse, these products are usually scented to smell like what we think of as a ‘clean smell. Well these fragrances irritate the skin causing it to become red, itchy and inflamed. Sound like a recipe for disaster? You bet it is.

All Natural Skin Cleansers- The Way to Go

To get that flawless skin that you have always wanted you should be using all natural skin products. These products will gently cleanse the skin while keeping it hydrated. Below are some great skin cleansing recipes that use products right from your kitchen cupboards! Find your skin type and see the difference.

Olive Oil Skin Cleanse- Balanced Skin

Oil dissolves oil. The oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of Sunflower Seed Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of Castor Oil

Suggested Usage:

• Blend together oil in palm of hand and smooth mixture over face.
• Massage for 30 seconds to 1 minute. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities.
• Wash face with clean, steamy water. You want the water to be warm enough to open your pores and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores, nor will it remove the oil efficiently.

Cornmeal Cleanser- for Oily Skin

Ingredients:
• Castile soap
• 1 Teaspoon Cornmeal

Suggested Usage:
• Wet face. Pour a little castile soap into the palm of your hand, add cornmeal.
• Mix meal and soap into a lather, wash face, avoiding area around eyes.

Honey Cleanser-For Dry Skin

Ingredients:
• Castile soap
• 1 Teaspoon Honey

Suggested Usage:
• Wet face. Pour castile soap into the palm of your hand, add honey.
• Mix honey and soap into a lather, wash face.

Most gyms and health clubs have a list of rules that their patrons need to follow when using the facilities. These policies are put in place to insure that the work out area stays comfortable, organized and sanitary for all users. The rules tend to be the same for most gyms and it is important that you abide by them to make the workout experience pleasant for all. Below is a list of these rules and other important gym etiquette that shows consideration of others around you.

Practice Good Hygiene- There is nothing worse than working out and right next to you is someone emitting a foul body odor. This is disruptive and bothersome to the people trying to get a work out done, but instead are being distracted and repulsed by someone who chooses not to wear deodorant or wash their workout clothes on a regular basis.

On the flip side, don’t overload on perfumes and other strong scents that could be equally distracting to other exercisers and may even cause breathing difficulties for those with asthma.

Don’t Hog the Machines- There is usually a 30 minute time limit for cardio machines at busy times in the gym. This is to ensure that all members get a chance to use them. Respect these times. If you want to have a longer cardio session, then switch to another machine, or do some weights and come back afterwards.

Clean Up After Yourself- This is one of the most important rules to follow. After using a machine, free weights or even a gym mat, whether you have sweated or not, wipe it down. All gyms have sanitary sprays or wipes and you must use them. This prevents the spread of germs and will help keep all members healthy.

You Leave It, You Lose It- This applies to all equipment in the gym, but has specific reference to the weight lifting machines. Yes it is recommended to take breaks in between sets but do not wander off and expect to just hop back on the machine. Other users cannot keep tabs on where you go and shouldn’t have to. To keep a machine, just take your break beside it, so that everyone knows it is still being used.

Protecting your skin from the sun is now more important than ever. You’ve heard that sun exposure can cause skin cancer and premature aging, and are probably well aware that you should be applying sunscreen and wearing hats when outdoors. This is a good start for sun safety, but there is still much more that you need to know. Below are a few sun safety facts that will give you the knowledge you need to protect yourself.

Remember that even if you don’t burn, you still need to wear sunscreen. Contrary to popular belief, a tan is not healthy, and you are still susceptible to premature aging and cancer from sun exposure. All it takes is a couple of burns and your chances of getting skin cancer increase tremendously. Protecting yourself from the sun could prevent as much as 80% of all skin cancers, so do yourself a favor and practice these sun safety tips!

Differences between Organic and Non-Organic Foods

There is absolutely no difference between the nutritional value in organic and non-organic items. What does differ is the way they are grown and processed, along with the additional ingredients that these non-organic products often contain.

In order to have the organic label, farmers must adhere to several important FDA guidelines. First is that they do not use any conventional pesticides made with synthetic ingredients on their crops. The only products they can use to control bugs are FDA-approved organic pesticides that pose absolutely no health risks.

Second, is that organic farmers cannot use steroids or antibiotics, which is common practice for their non-organic competition. Organic livestock such as chickens and cows must also be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors.

Top Organic Foods to Buy

Unfortunately, organic food is expensive. If eating all organic products just isn’t in the budget then you should consider at the very least opting for organic items in the below listed foods that in their non-organic forms are especially laden with toxins and pesticides.

Burlesque dancing is an excellent way for women to embrace the exercise experience and their self confidence, breaking out of that tired old aerobic rut. The challenging moves call on your core body strength for smooth execution and rival the cardio achieved in practically all other fitness facets.

And not to worry, it is not about striptease. While burlesque dancing has come to be associated with striptease due to its vaudeville past, this is not an essential component of the dance style. Most burlesque classes give participants the freedom to express their sexuality as they see fit; associating confidence with sexuality, not the removal of clothing.

There are also a variety of types of aerobic dance that incorporate burlesque moves in their choreography. These are often grouped by fitness studios as alternative dance fitness, or exotic dancing and include pole dancing, hula hooping, and belly dancing. Regardless of the type of burlesque style women of all ages, shapes, sizes and experience levels learn to embrace their body and improve their fitness level.

FAQs About Burlesque

Do I have to take my clothes off?
Absolutely not. Do only what you feel comfortable with. The classes are about self confidence and sensuality not about bearing your skin.

I’ve never danced before; will I be able to follow along?
The great thing about burlesque is that each dance move can be adapted for various ability levels. Start slow and you will eventually work up to the more challenging moves.

Is burlesque only for skinny people?
Sexy comes in all shapes and sizes. All it takes is self confidence and you will be the star of the class regardless of your weight.

Where can I find burlesque classes?
Burlesque dance classes are popping up all over the US. Contact your local fitness studios and ask what types of fitness dance classes they offer. You are bound to find one with burlesque ties.

1) Use Smaller Plates
Serving your dinner on a salad plate rather than a huge dinner plate is a great way to reduce your daily caloric intake without your body even noticing. Much of our hunger and satiation is psychological. If we see a huge plate only half full we will feel like we haven’t eaten enough; but if the plate is small but completely filled, we will subconsciously feel that we have eaten enough.

2) Drink More Water
Throughout the day try drinking water even when you aren’t thirsty. This will help keep your body hydrated and your tummy satiated staving off any unnecessary eating. In fact even simply substituting soda for water a handful of times a week, could translate into a loss of 7-15 pounds per year. Also, incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content as these tend to have fewer calories while still giving you that full feeling.

3) Have Happy Hour At Home
If your regular post-work routine has you drinking cocktails and munching on pub snacks at a nearby bar, you are likely consuming an extra couple thousand calories per week. Why not keep happy hour at home where you can whip up an equally delicious but much healthier spread. Restaurants have high fat mixes and deep fried foods. At home you can do sparkling lemon water mixes and healthy fruit and cheese platters for example.

4) Don’t Deny Your Sweet Tooth
There is nothing wrong with eating sweets. If you tell yourself that you can’t have them then your body will crave them even more. It is better to have the occasional indulgence several times a week, and if you can opt for a slightly healthier alternative. For example, instead of having a bowl of ice cream, consider having some fresh fruit topped with whipped cream. Even though whipped cream is considered a splurge, you will cut your calorie intake by half when you avoid the ice cream.

5) Eat Carbs
Low- or no-carb diets are not sustainable. You may be able to lose weight in the short term, but you inevitably end up going to go back to your old ways. It is better to include complex carbs such as pastas and whole grain breads into your daily diet, just try to eat them earlier on in the day, rather than having them at night. This will give your body time to convert them into energy and will leave you feeling fuller than simply eating unsatisfying rabbit food all day long.

The Maqui berry and the Acai berry are both wine colored fruits indigenous to South America. The Acai berry is found in the Brazilian Amazon forest, while the Maqui Berry is found in the Petagonia Region of Chile. Both have been staples in the diets of the indigenous groups that inhabit the regions as they are said to encourage good health. Both the Maqui berry and the Acai berry have the ability to stimulate a body detox and help produce weight loss results with lots of antioxidants. Both of these super fruits are highly perishable and as such are most often found in supplement, juice or pulp form. This is where their similarities end.

What separates the Maqui berry from the Acai berry is its overall effectiveness. The Maqui berry is far more potent than the Acai, with 2-3 times more antioxidants per gram of pulp. This translates into a more thorough detox, increased weight loss, and a better immune system response to stave off illness.

As well as the highest levels of antioxidants, the Maqui Berry also contains essential minerals including calcium, iron, potassium, omega 6 oils, and vitamins A and C. This is a far more complete list of added nutrients than those found in the Acai. The Acai, while still far better than most other supplements on the market boasts nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E, and omega 3 oils. The high levels of omega 6 oils are what really give the Maqui the clear advantage in this category as they play a pivotal role in brain function as well as normal growth and development.

Perhaps best of all is that the Maqui berry is still in its infancy. Unlike the Acai berry that has been around for years and has saturated the market, the Maqui berry has just been discovered and shows so much more potential. Already the clear winner of the two super foods the Maqui berry can only get better and we expect that it will. The health possibilities are endless.