By Lee-Anne Wann
Morning training
Feel more energized after your workout by regularly training in the morning. New research shows that by making it a habit to work out in the morning, you can improve poor morning performance to a higher level than if you were training later in the day. Take this evidence and apply it to help you start your work day with more energy - by activating your body you may be able to stimulate your mind and take that motivation with you to sustain you at non-training tasks.
Coconut water
A 2008 study in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology showed that feeding rats coconut water lowered cholesterol and lipids to the same degree as the drug lovastatin. This suggests coconut water consumed regularly is a viable alternative to prescription drugs for lowering cholesterol and improving lipid levels, especially if paired with a diet and exercise intervention. Always check with your doctor before altering or changing medications.
Suggestion: Add coconut water to your nutrition 3-4 times per week. This can be obtained from Health Food Stores and some supermarkets. There are a huge amount of other benefits as well for adding.
Pizza for breakfast?
Why not? It's especially tasty when topped with a sunny-side-up egg and veggies. Eating breakfast has shown in many studies to improve body composition, help energy, maintain focus and clarity as well as curb cravings later in the day.
Ingredients:
• 5 teaspoons coconut oil
• 4 cups spinach
• 2 pitas, halved horizontally
• 2 large plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 4 large eggs
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
In a large fry pan, heat 1 teaspoon of oil over medium heat. Add spinach, in batches if necessary, and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Brush inside of each pita round with 1 teaspoon oil. Place pita rounds, oiled side up, on a large baking sheet and bake until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. Divide tomatoes and spinach evenly among pita halves, leaving an empty space in the centre of each for an egg. Crack 1 egg into the centre of each pita. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, return to the oven, and bake until yolks are lightly set, 8 to 10 minutes.
Posture perfect
Posture exercises are a type of strength exercise that can be used by anyone. Strength exercises are something people only associate with athletes or males looking to put on muscle. However they can be used by anyone for many different reasons including posture correction, in this instance we will be referring to them as posture exercises. Posture is one of those things people ignore until it is either pointed out to them or they get some serious problems. Forward head posture and rounded shoulders are a common problem – a great exercise option to help remedy is to stretch the neck. From every direction, so tilting head from side to side, front and back. This frees up the neck and allows it to come back into the correct posture without any restrictions.
Body balance
Maintaining a balanced PH is one of the most important things we can do to enjoy vibrant health and avoid disease. Unfortunately, most people are far too acidic, which creates an environment open to unwanted invaders and ill health. The incredible rise in modern day diseases is a symptom of our overly acidic diets. In fact, many claim it is almost impossible to get cancer when our bodies are consistently alkaline. Furthermore, eating from a list of alkaline foods keep us vibrant and younger looking. Fortunately, becoming more alkaline is not as difficult or as technical as it sounds. Balancing our PH can be done simply by consuming more foods and drinks which have an alkaline effect on the body.
Foods
Alfalfa, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cucumber, Garlic, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Spirulina, Tomatoes, Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Kiwi, Asparagus, Limes, Bananas, Pineapple, Quinoa