Author Archives: Ted Wagner

Healthy Eating For Kids And Teenagers

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Tiredness during exams is the leading enemy of students. There are several reasons why you feel tired. It is either you have had a lot of projects to do the night before, so you have no choice but to sleep late. You have crammed and tried to learn all your lessons in one night. Or, you have a poor diet.

No, the last bit is not a typographical error. Your diet truly affects your school performance more than anything else.

To improve your life, you should remember the following ideas:

Eat Foods Rich In Iron And Vitamin B

Iron is the mineral in your blood that fights anemia, while vitamin B keeps your nerves healthy. If you consume foods that are rich in both, your brain cells can function well, and you can concentrate more on your studies. What are those foods rich in iron and vitamin B, you ask? Some of them are chicken, fish, beans, cereals, and practically any green and leafy vegetables. They are great in strengthening your memory, as well as keeping you fit.

Avoid Too Much Caffeine

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When studying for a big exam, try to avoid too much caffeine. More than the adrenaline rush that coffee or tea can give you, you need your brain to work correctly while still getting the nutrients that your body needs. Therefore, drink milk or fruit juices instead.

Eat More Than 3x A Day

We are always told to eat thrice a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – but the truth is that we need to eat 5-7 meals in one day (in moderation, of course). Take a small meal every 2-3 hours so that your stomach will always be sated, and you are getting enough nutrients to keep you and your brain energized throughout the day. The best snacks to have are fruits, especially when you are studying because they are packed with natural sugar, vitamins, and minerals that your body requires.

Drink Enough Water

There are people, specifically kids, who prefer to drink fruit juices because they are tastier than good old water, and their parents let them. In their mind, such fluids have water, too. Although that is true, drinking water in its most basic, tasteless form is essential to get rid of the toxins within your body. You can alternate juices, milk, and water, but water should still be more dominant.

Exercise

As a student, you do not have to go to the gym and spend hours there because then you will not have enough time to study. Before studying and having your dinner, you can walk within the premises of your home or visit your mom’s plants in the garden for some time. This way, you can digest your dinner faster. You can also study better when you exercise because working out keeps your brain awake and your muscles more relaxed.

Final Thoughts

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Kids and teenagers alike need to learn how to eat healthy foods early. After all, it is one habit that you should be able to bring to adulthood to ensure that you will be free from illnesses.

Good luck!

Is Juicing Good For You?

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I tend to call myself a diet explorer. Some people think that I am a diet junkie, but I believe that’s a little too much. I am merely all for trying new things that will allow me to get all the nutrients I need. If it means I have to try every single method out there, then you will see me all over it.

One of the dieting techniques that I have been eyeing for some time now is juicing. I have friends who have gone on a seven- or 10-day juice cleanse, you see. They said that it seemed impossible to go through the second day without eating anything, but things became bearable over time. After the cleanse, my friends would occasionally do it for a couple of days, especially when they feel like they have overeaten.

So, as a natural sucker for new diets, I eventually tried juicing, too. Here are a few benefits that I have experienced after a while.

Consume More Fruits And Vegetables

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The first advantage of juicing is that you can consume more fruits and vegetables than usual. When you are a regular wage-earner in the metro like me, it is no surprise if you prefer to buy a $1 burger from McDonald’s than get $10 worth of organic foods. You will still have to prepare the latter while you can already eat the former as soon as it gets handed to you. Not to mention, picky eaters tend to avoid natural foods that don’t taste good.

Once you start juicing, though, you will not care about the price of vegetables and fruits. The taste will not matter much as well because you can combine kale and other bitter greens with sweet fruits. The result is that you can gain more nutrition than when you eat conventionally.

Boost Immune System

When all I was consuming was junk foods, my health was not in tiptop shape. Every time I would get rained on, I would have a cold or cough the next day. When someone in the office or bus sneezes next to me, I would be a sneezing mess soon, too.

However, after juicing, my immune system has gotten stronger than ever. Now, I can be in the rain for hours and not even sneeze. I don’t need to wear a face mask in public anymore in fear of catching another person’s virus. It has been a while since I had a fever as well.

Improve Skin Health

Perhaps because of the healthy components that are in the juice, I feel like my skin appears to be youthful and dewy. I used to have adult acne, but the spots seemed to reduce little by little. In truth, my friends were pushing me to tell them my secret regimen, but it was just juicing.

Is Juicing Good For You?

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In my opinion, yes. It does not seem that way in the beginning because you will not consume solid foods. However, when you think more about it, you will realize that you will be able to get more nutrition in this manner. You do not need to do it all your life, but it will not hurt to try it a bit.

Good luck!

Diet For Stress Management

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“Stressed spelled backward is desserts,” according to Loretta LaRoche, a stress guru. In my opinion, though, a stressed person will always and forever be a stressed person. No amount or kinds of desserts can help to eliminate the stress in someone’s life.

What Causes Stress?

It can be your work, state at home, romantic relationship, or many other things that only you know about. “Long-term stress is linked to weight problems and cardiovascular issues.” Jessica Harris, LCPC, LPC expresses. Stress is somewhat scarier than getting a considerable wound. With an injury, you can see it and know that you can mend it with ointment and some bandages. When you deal with stress, you feel fatigued, always have no energy, get depressed for a very long time, and still be unable to find a cure from the pharmacy. After all, only you can help yourself. The overly stressed people tend to do binge-eating and consume greasy foods like burgers, donuts, ice creams, and pizzas more often than necessary.

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That is their one way of coping up with stress. It does help in a way since foods like that contain lots of sugars and calories that can give you temporary happiness. And when they get that happiness from eating, they keep on doing it over and over. It is almost like an illegal drug that gets you high for several hours, and then you become addicted to it in the end. It will eventually weaken your immune system, increase your cholesterol levels, and make you more prone to sickness. Therefore, just like an illegal drug, eating fast food products which are synthetically-made is not great for you.

What Can You Do?

If you are under stress now, but you still want to live a longer life, there is one thing you can do: eat healthy every day. “A balanced diet that includes lots of fiber helps keep your gut system running efficiently by helping to support a more diverse gut microbiome.” John M. Grohol, Psy.D.  said. If you want sugar, for instance, you can get your daily dose from fruits or juices. Remember to always have them for breakfast, together with grilled bacon, eggs, and whole-wheat bread. As for your lunch, you can have your favorite pasta with more boiled or half-cooked vegetables on the side or sandwiches with vegetables, grilled chicken or fish meat, or egg whites in them. You should also invest in a juicer so that you can make your healthy juice out of fresh fruits and vegetables. Butter and cheese can be added in moderation as well.

It is advisable to eat small snacks every 2-3 hours for a great diet. For such meals, limit yourself with eating fresh or canned fruit only or whole-wheat biscuits. Then, instead of coffee or tea during your coffee break, drink fruit or vegetable juice that pleases your palette. You can make your healthy eating plans so that you do not get tired of eating the same thing throughout the week. You still can have fast food, but try eating them only once every week or month and never in one sitting.

Final Thoughts

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My friend has told me before that “a diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress exceptionally well.” Eating a lot of unhealthy stuff can only make you even more stressed in the future than you are now. “Certain foods are linked to mental health issues such as increased symptoms of depression and decreased self-esteem.” Christina L. Gmyr, LMHC, NCC said. That is especially true when you realize that you have already gained more than 20lbs. Follow healthy eating plans to keep your stress away.

Good luck!

Juicing With Ninja Professional Blender 1000 – A Review

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Not having a working blender can sometimes keep someone from juicing for digestive purposes. You can’t heat it in the microwave, or manually chop the ingredients and give them anything certainly need to be comfortable. You will experience terrible headache, however, if you get one which cannot fulfill your needs. For this reason, you should have the Ninja Professional Blender 1000 (BL610).

Features Of Ninja Professional Blender 1000 (BL610)

Sturdy Blades

The ultimate problem that consumers face when they land on a blender is that it has soft blades. If you use the appliance to crush ice and slightly more visible chunks, it is going to break.

Nonetheless, this is far from happening in case you decide to get the Ninja smoothie blender. In truth, it has the capacity to crush, cut, and blend anything that you put in the vessel.

Large Jar

If you have a sizeable juicing family or like to have a smoothie every morning, you do not have to make fruit blends in batches now. The Ninja Professional Blender 1000 (BL610) makes use of a large blender jar that can last for a lifetime. It will not crack easily even if you mishandle it.

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Others

  • 1000 watts – It ensures that the Ninja smoothie blender is more heavy-duty than the other products.
  • Safe for dishwashing – You do not have to worry that you have to clean it by hand after every use because it is fine to put it in any dishwasher.
  • Total Crushing Technology – This feature allows you to not wait for minutes for your blending to finish.
  • Frozen Blending – It can also be used to make creamy smoothies, just like how your favorite restaurant does it.

Customer Feedback

The issues that some customers have detected from the Ninja Professional Blender 1000 (BL610) is that the jar lid can only get fitted in a particular manner. The smoothie it produces still has a few bits of fruits and vegetables left unblended as well. The good thing about the former, though, is that it ascertains that you are paying attention at all times when you are using the appliance. More importantly, it is highly capable of crushing ice without any problem. It is better to have little fruit pieces in your drink than chunks of ice, after all.

Consumers also like the sleek design and the strength of this blender. It takes up tiny space in the kitchen, but its striking beauty makes it a great addition in the room. Its size lets you host a smoothie party with their friends, and it won’t tire you out since the product can fill multiple glasses at a time.

Conclusion

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The Ninja Professional Blender is a powerful appliance that can easily be purchased from Amazon, Walmart, and other online stores. It is capable of making the nutritious smoothies that can energize you for the day ahead. It will also be great if you want to go on a juice cleanse and help with your digestion. I will be challenging to find another product that can exceed its benefits, for sure.

Tips In Handling The Stress You Get From Your Illness

There are many things that you need to consider when it comes to handling your stress. Take note that the more you worry about your life, the more you become difficult to deal with. At the same time, it will also be challenging on your part to get on with your life.

Fortunately, there are tons of options that you can consider if you want to overcome the stress and anxiety that you feel from your illness. In today’s article, we are going to share some of the practical tips on how to make it happen. All the strategies mentioned in this post came from a well-known therapist.

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Make sure that you familiarize yourself with these tips and tricks:

Take Control of Your Life

The first or initial thing that you must do is to master the art of controlling your life. As much as possible, learn how to understand the reality that you have the power to control the way you act and react to everything that happens. Keep in mind that you can train your brain to compartmentalize. When you are in a lot of pain, make an effort to manage it properly. Stop complaining because it will get you to nowhere. Instead, summon all the positive energy in your life and believe that things are going to get better.

Avoid Caffeine And Alcohol

If you are an ultimate coffee lover, then it is time to consider quitting drinking your daily dose of this beverage. Take note that there is too much caffeine in one glass of coffee. The more you consume it, the more you expose yourself to the disadvantages of caffeine. At the same time, you must also consider quitting on your bad drinking habits, especially if your physician has expressly prohibited it. Be sure to listen to all the medical advice of your doctor so that you will not end up suffering from the adverse effects of your poor choices.

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Exercise Regularly

Another thing that you must do today is to get physically active. Avoid living a sedentary life so that you can quickly recover from your illness or medical condition. Remember that when you exercise, your body increases its supply of dopamine or happy hormones. Hence, it will be a lot easier on your part to cheer up if you are physically active. Aside from this, you will also notice an improvement in your physical health because exercise can regulate your blood flow and eliminate or lessen the fats in your body. It is best to talk to a fitness guru or expert before you engage in exercises or physical activities. The said professional is skilled in determining the right steps that you can take so that you can achieve your fitness goals. Be honest in all your dealings and communications with the said person.

Prioritize Sleep

Lack of sleep can bring in a lot of negative vibes in your day-to-day life, which is why you must prioritize sleep at all times. An easy way to take out stress and anxiety in your life is to get the right amount of sleep every night. Set a bedtime schedule and follow it religiously so that you can reap the right benefits. Avoid bringing your gadgets in the bed so that you will not end up spending hours of endless browsing. The radiation from your devices can also have adverse medical effects to your body. Sleep well so that you can have the right amount of energy the following day. Keep on doing this until you get used to it.

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Communicate With Others

Do not be afraid to talk to someone about your medical condition. If you are feeling discomfort or pain, do not hesitate to discuss it with your loved ones or friends. Let them know what is going on in your mind or the status of your emotions. The more they know about your condition, the more help, and support they can offer you.

Consequently, allow these individuals to extend their helping hands to you. Do not look at them as the bad guys who want to see you suffer. Instead, consider these people as the heroes who will help in taking you out of your misery. Make sure to express your gratitude to them for all that they have done.

Make sure to defeat your illness by following the tips mentioned above. There are a lot of ways to remain happy and stress-free, even if you have a health problem. Set your mind to do the right things, and the rest will follow.

Why A Healthy Gut Leads To A Healthy Mind

Many people are aware of the fact that to have a healthy lifestyle, you must maintain and sustain a healthy diet. That is, you have to eat clean and fill your stomach with good food to achieve your health and wellness goals. What might surprise you about your stomach is that it can directly affect your mental health, too. Gut-brain psychology is now slowly becoming a name of itself in the healthcare world.

Believe it or not, your stomach and your brain are connected. The communication between your stomach and your mind is referred to as the gut-brain axis. In addition, the connection between these two organs is not just physical, but biochemical, as well. Researchers believe that the trillions of microbes residing inside your stomach do not only affect your physical well-being. Instead, it extends its powers to your brain and your neurological system.

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In a nutshell, there is an increasing number of studies showing that there is a deeper connection between your stomach and your brain. Some of these studies show that having a healthy stomach can help prevent mental health disorders such as bipolar and schizophrenia.

It is time to realize maintaining a healthy stomach has more profound implications than what we used to know. Here are seven ways on how you can improve your gut health right now:

  • Eat A Variety Of Good Food

Incorporating a variety of healthy food in your diet will not just help for novelty, but it will significantly help with the bacteria diversity residing in your stomach. Having diverse bacteria, or microbiota means these bacteria are performing a variety of functions. The higher the number of species of bacteria you have, the greater your body can combat the harmful bacteria. It leads your body to experience more benefits.

  • Increase Your Leafy Green Intake

Vegetables, especially leafy greens, are a great source of good bacteria. Veggies are rich in fiber, which is good for many things–including bowel movement, growth, and blood sugar levels. Having a diet filled with leafy greens can also help prevent disease-causing bacteria. There are many unique ways you can incorporate leafy greens in your diet, too!

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  • Incorporate Whole Grains In Your Diet

Whole grains are one of the superfoods. A lot of health benefits are jam-packed into these tiny foods. Whole foods can help you feel full without consuming excessive amounts of food. These also help prevent inflammation and reduce your risk of heart disease. Examples of whole grains include barley, corn, oats, rice, and wheat.

  • Avoid Artificial Sweeteners

An increasing amount of food is now using artificial sweeteners as a replacement for sugar. While this may have made food production easier, this can hurt our gut health. Having excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners can increase your blood sugar levels. It may lead to diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and impairments to vision.

  • Snack On Fruits

Fruits are a fantastic source of fiber and antioxidants. They are also incredibly easy to prepare, which is why a lot of people snack on fruits. Contrary to some people’s assumptions, it is difficult to have excessive sugar from fruits. They are more filling than artificial sweeteners in other foods and drinks. With fruits, you are less inclined to eat more as you can get full quickly.

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  • Improve Digestion With Yoga

A common problem many people encounter regarding their stomach health is indigestion. You may feel bloated or excessively full when you are experiencing digestion. On top of that, you may experience pain in your upper abdomen. One way to improve digestion is to practice yoga. Different yoga poses such as the child’s pose, Apanasana, and the spinal twist can aid in encouraging digestion.

  • Try Intermittent Fasting

Fasting allows your stomach to take a break and clean itself. Daily fasting can enable your digestive system to clean out thoroughly. If you haven’t tried intermittent fasting before, you can start by having an early dinner then opting for a later breakfast the next day. Allow at least a 12-hour window where you do not consume any food.

The bottom line of this article is: there is a greater effect on having a healthy gut. You may not consciously feel it, but it is vital to keep in mind good nutrition is a contributor to good mental health. Good gut health is just one piece to the puzzle on good mental health, but it is a vital piece, nonetheless. By living a balanced life with a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle, you can achieve overall healthy well-being.

2016 San Francisco Gastroenterology Conference: A Guide To Meeting Professionals

If there is one thing that I enjoy about my career or profession, it is having an opportunity to meet new people who share the same interests that I have. It is such an honor to get invited in events, activities, and meetings that have a meaningful impact on the community that I am a part of. One of the most memorable events I attended in the past was the 2016 San Francisco gastroenterology conference. During this meeting, I was introduced to various individuals who have changed the way I understand the study of gastroenterology.

 

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For today’s article, our focus would be on the top strategies that every professional need to master when it comes to meeting new people. Keep in mind that no one becomes an expert in this aspect overnight. Here are the things that you must never forget if you want to be excellent in meeting fellow young professionals in public gatherings or events:

 

Avoid Making Judgments

 

The last thing that must be on your mind is sticking with your first impression against the other person. As much as possible, never make the mistake of judging him before you even speak to him.

 

Be Careful With Your Words

 

Once you have been introduced to the stranger professional, the best thing that you have to do is to be mindful of what you will do or say. Remember that you have no idea what triggers the attitude or personality of the said person. As such, you have to think twice before taking any step.

 

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Make Yourself Approachable

 

Another thing that you must never forget is the significance of creating an image to the public that you are approachable. Project an image that you are a friendly and accommodating person so that the other professionals in your community would be interested in establishing a connection with you.

 

The Link Between Anxiety And IBS

 

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that involve periodic abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and constipation. There are reportedly more than 20% of individuals worldwide who are diagnosed with IBS. Anxiety and other psychological conditions have been linked with the disorder, but none of the experts have identified its precise cause. Even understanding the whole progression of the disease has not yet been achieved. Continue reading

2016 Atlanta Gastroenterology Conferences: Finding The Right Doctor

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There are many things to keep in mind when it comes to searching for the right doctor to help you with your medical condition. This is one of the lessons I learned during the 2016 Atlanta gastroenterology conferences. One of the speakers emphasized the significance of finding the ideal medical practitioner. He even shared some tips on how to do it the right way. Here are some of the ideas I learned from him:

 

Take Your Time

 

You need to chill first before you start the search for a medical doctor. Keep in mind that the more you rush the process, the higher chance there is for mistakes. Hence, it is ideal or best if you will take it slow so that you can have a better assessment of the skills and experiences of a particular doctor.

 

Ask For Referrals

 

Do not forget to get in touch with friends who have tried working with a doctor due to their illnesses. The advantage of doing this is it would be easier on your part to make the selection process. You can ask for a name and set an appointment in less than five minutes.

 

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Conduct A Research

 

Another thing that you must never forget is to check the background of the doctor that you want to work with. The best recommendation is to look for someone who has a good record in the medical field. Conversely, avoid doctors who have a reputation of not being excellent In what they do.

 

Having a gastrointestinal illness can be challenging on your part, which is why it is time to find a doctor. Let the said professional handle the diagnosis and treatment process. Be brave in your search until you see the right one.

 

Learning About Liver Specialists In The 2014 Miami Annual Gastroenterology And Hepatology Symposium

If there’s one thing you can learn in the 2014 Miami Annual Gastroenterology and Hepatology Symposium, it’s that different liver problems call for different doctors. One could go to a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist. The question is: Which specialist do we need? Which is the “more qualified” choice? Learning about the specializations of each doctor might help in answering that question.

What’s A Gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterologist comes from the prefix “gastḗr,” which is the Greek word for “belly.” These specialists focus on the medication and treatment of the digestive system. It includes the parts of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the mouth, stomach, and intestines.

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To become a licensed gastroenterologist, one must complete their pre-medical and medical education, which take about eight years. One must then undergo three years of residency in internal medicine. Lastly, one must finish two to three years of fellowship in gastroenterology. Only after that can one be able to take the board exam.

What’s A Hepatologist?

Hepatologist comes from the prefix “hêpar,” which is the Greek word for “liver.” These specialists treat disorders that affect the liver. The field of hepatology falls under gastroenterology. Its focus is on the liver, the pancreas, and the gallbladder.

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To be considered a licensed hepatologist, one must also go through the eight years of pre-medical to medical education and the three-year residency in internal medicine. The difference is that no standardized exam certifies passers. Instead, one must go through a one- or two-year fellowship that shall expose one to various liver disorders.

Gastroenterologists and hepatologists aren’t too different after all. However, choosing one or the other depends on a lot of things—the doctor’s availability, credentials, and experience, to name a few.  

It’s up to you to ask about these things and make an informed choice. It’s your health or the health of your loved one on the line. It would be best to choose wisely.