iHerb Weight Loss Tip:
Juice has as many calories, ounce for ounce, as soda. Set a limit of one 8-oz glass of fruit juice a day.
iHerb Fitness Tip:
If you don’t like a particular exercise, start doing it. You’re probably avoiding it because you’re weak at it.
iHerb Cleaning Tip:
Make your own furniture polish. Restore the lost luster of your wooden furniture by whipping up some serious homemade furniture polish that’s just as good as any of the commercial stuff. Combine 2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice or white vinegar in a clean recycled spray bottle, shake it up, and spritz on. Leave on the mixture for a minute or two, then wipe off with a clean terry-cloth or paper towel. In a hurry? Get fast results by applying olive oil straight from the bottle onto a paper towel. Wipe off the excess with another paper towel or an absorbent cloth.
iHerb For Baby Tip:
Baby skin requires the most gentle of cleansers, which are increasingly available, but odor and stain fighters are often harsh. For tough stains add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your liquid laundry detergent, or a 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization.
iHerb Weight Loss Tip:
Get calories from foods you chew, not beverages. Have fresh fruit instead of fruit juice.
iHerb Fitness Tip:
Help Your Forehand. To build forearm strength for tennis and racquetball, crumple newspaper: Lay a newspaper sheet on a flat surface. Start at one corner and crumple it into a ball with your dominant hand for 30 seconds. Repeat with your other hand.
Go Blue! The Many Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries are a fruit that many people love, and they’re practically a staple that seems tailor made to other healthy foods like oatmeal and natural granola. While blueberries might be delicious, they also have some pretty major health benefits for people who eat them regularly. The amount of blueberries you need to eat to really reap the benefits is still unclear, but at only 90 calories per cup, you shouldn’t be concerned about making a hearty amount of blueberries part of your regular diet, even if you are watching your weight.
Immune System Health
Blueberries are high in a variety of different types of antioxidants including anthocyanin and vitamin C. When consumed regularly, antioxidant rich blueberries may be able to help boost your immune system, making it easier for your body to fight illnesses like the common cold and seasonal flu. Blueberries also contain antioxidants with anti-bacterial properties, which can help the body stave off infection in some cases.
In addition, a study published in the January 2013 issue of the journal Circulation, included data from the large-scale Nurses’ Health Study II. Women who ate three or more servings of blueberries per week had decreased risk of heart attack compared to the women who ate them once a month or less.
Eye Health
The antioxidants in blueberries may also play a small part in eye health, especially for older adults. What blueberries may be doing is protecting the retina of the eye from oxygen damage, which occurs naturally over time and often leads to complications and vision problems later in life. There’s some evidence that blueberries may also help to protect the eyes from sun damage though more research needs to be done in this area.
Reduce Belly Fat
Fat around the stomach can lead to increased risk of cardiovascular disease when it’s in excess. Fat around the midsection that you cannot see, known as visceral fat, can be even more dangerous since it surrounds and affects some organs. Eating blueberries regularly may help to lessen belly fat by reducing triglyceride levels in the body as well as potentially reducing insulin levels.
Looking for blueberry products? Check out the Blueberry Supplements and the Dried Blueberries we have available at iHerb. Use Coupon Code WOW123 to get you $10 off any first time order with a $40 minimum purchase or $5 off any first time order less than $40.
References
Nayyar, Namita; Top 10 Health Benefits of Blueberries; WomenFitness; Accessed April 27, 2013
The World’s Healthiest Foods Staff; Blueberries; The World’s Healthiest Foods; Accessed April 27, 2013
Hall, Susan; Amazing Benefits of Blueberries; Health; Accessed April 27, 2013
Cut the Salt, Not the Flavor: Handy Salt Substitutes
People’s taste buds are naturally tuned to recognize salt, known scientifically as sodium chloride. However, too much salt in one’s diet can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke and kidney disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you already have health problems, your doctor may have recommended reducing your salt intake in addition to a more focused exercise routine in order to avoid further complications. While this can be hard for some people because they’re accustomed to the taste of salt, there are ways to add flavor to your food without reaching for the salt shaker every time you sit down for a meal.
Use Acids, Such as Lemon
Foods that are rich in acids like fresh lemon, lime, tamarind or tangerine juice work well to flavor foods without the use of salt. Heart-healthy foods like boneless, skinless chicken breasts, salmon fillets or steaks can be marinated in a mixture of an acidic juice with pepper, herbs and spices for a rich, bold flavor. Acidic mixtures can also be brushed onto cooked food later for extra flavor.
Try Fresh or Dried Herbs and Spices
Instead of trying to add flavor to your food through salt, try doing it with fresh herbs and spices. For example, fresh or lightly sautéed garlic can add a lot of flavor to bland foods. If you don’t have the time or desire to sauté garlic, look for granulated garlic that is salt-free at your local grocery store. Garlic is just one example, and there are tons of spices you can add to your food, such as cayenne pepper, basil and dill. Stock your spice rack with dried and fresh herbs; and don’t be afraid to experiment or look for recipes that call for herbs and spices.
Potassium Chloride Salt Substitutes
Premixed salt substitutes line grocery store shelves and there are a lot of different options. If you’re looking to mimic the taste of salt, your best bet is to find a substitute that contains potassium chloride. Our bodies respond to it in a similar fashion as sodium chloride. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t use too much of a salt substitute, either, as this could lead to higher than normal levels of potassium in the blood.
Check out iHerb’s selection of Spices and Seasonings. New to iHerb? Use Coupon Code WOW123 to get you $10 off any first time order with a $40 minimum purchase.
References
Mayo Clinic Staff; Nutrition and Healthy Eating: Sodium: How to Tame Your Salt Habit Now; Mayo Clinic; Accessed March 24, 2013
Harvard School of Public Health Staff; The Nutrition Source: Salt Substitutes; Harvard School of Public Health; Accessed March 24, 2013
