Everybody is becoming aware of the effects of processed food that everybody is getting encouraged to have a healthy lifestyle and switch back to all-natural, organic food. While I still would want a good ole Big Meal from McDonalds every now and then, I have to admit Im not really getting any younger. I need to make sure that I live an active life and choose to eat well. Recently, I was offered to try a natural supplement designed to help you wash out toxins and lose weight. It is called Herbalife. I really wasnt impressed, to tell you honestly, as the shake really tastes awful and I had to drink five tablets each three times a day (a total of 15 pills!). And Im no pill-popping woman, I tell you - it was hard (the tablets itself was HUGE!). But since I was curious (and I have to admit quite desperate), I decided to give it a try. I read their brochure and it said that the pharmaceutical formulation of the shake itself is equivalent to one meal already. So I try it out for a week - man, I was depressed! There pimples popping out on my forehead, I was having migraines and generally was irritable and depressed. It turns out I was flushing out toxins already. I dont why I decided to stick with it but three weeks of following the program and I was down to 12 pounds…and Im more motivated than ever

Did you know that your digestive tract contains more than 400 types of “friendly” bacteria? These little guys, commonly referred to as probiotics (which means “pro-life”), help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. That’s right! Probiotics are live bacteria with clinically-documented health benefits.

Health Benefits
It appears that when the digestive system is kept healthy, other body systems greatly benefit as well. Probiotics may:

* Protect against infection
* Enhance and boost the immune system
* Promote and improve digestive health
* Alleviate diarrhea caused by antibiotic treatments
* Promote urinary and genital health
* Assist in the management of inflammation
* Help alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance
* Improve some types of eczema in infants and children
* Reduce cholesterol levels
* Decrease the risk of certain cancers

It is important to note that each type of friendly bacteria has a specific health benefit to the body. With over 400 different types of probiotics identified, researchers are just starting to uncover the health roles and benefits of each.

Food Sources
Currently, foods that contain probiotics are primarily dairy products and dairy beverages, including:

* Yogurt
* Drinkable and squeezable yogurts
* Fluid milk with added probiotics
* Fermented milk such as sweet acidophilus milk
* Kefir

Through fermentation, probiotics enhance the flavor and texture of these particular dairy products. Dairy foods actually buffer your stomach acid and bile, thereby protecting the probiotics from the stomach acid so that they can reach the intestines.

These are food that pack the punch!

Get ready to dump that coffee down the drain. You’re about to be introduced to a group of tasty, healthier energy sources that won’t give you the jitters, make you cranky, or cost $4.75 a cup.

You’re body’s preferred energy source is carbohydrates. But the key is eating the right kinds of carbs, ones that will give you that much-needed energy without sending your energy levels crashing.

The solution? Keep your carb levels on an even keel to avoid those sugary spikes. Since your blood sugar drops four hours after eating, it means eating more frequent, smaller meals. It means concentrating on low-fat, high-fiber foods and complex carbs – these are broken down slowly and steadily, giving you regular energy throughout the day.

Our 10 Favorite Energy Foods

1. Whole wheat pasta
2. Oatmeal
3. Fruit smoothies made with low-fat yogurt
4. Peanut butter
5. Dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, raisins, figs)
6. Yams
7. Beans
8. Apples
9. Carrots
10. Chickpeas

Also:

* Eat breakfast! This is absolutely the #1 “eating for energy” strategy. It gets your metabolism off to a strong start and makes nighttime snacking a thing of the past. (Coffee is not breakfast.)
* Avoid grease (burgers and fries) and high-fat dairy foods (pizza, ice cream, cheese) and choose lower-fat versions instead.
* Focus on whole grains, which are good sources of vitamin B, aiding the metabolic production of energy.
* Don’t forget iron, an energy-boosting mineral.