5 Ways You Can Look (and hopefully feel) Younger!

As it turns out, some of us have some daily habits that make us look older. Try these ideas to start losing years.

1. Consume less sugar. The problem is that sugars i the blood stream bind to proteins and form Advanced Glycation End Products. These in turn damage other proteins such as collagen and elastin. Collagen and Elastin keep your skin firm and elastic. So if you want less wrinkles and less sagging skin, eat less sugar!

2. Deal with stress in a healthy way. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends deep breathing exercises. Breathe in through the nose for 4 counts, hold your breath for 7 counts, then exhale through the mouth for 8 counts while making a "whoosh" sound. Reducing stress reduces the hormones cortisol and norepinephrine which in turn lowers blood pressure and increases the effectiveness of your immune system which improves healing, prevents arteries from hardening and prevents certain areas of your brain from shrinking. The areas of your brain responsible for learning, memory, and mood!

3. Exercise for at least a half hour per day. Regular exercisers have longer telomeres (cellular biomarkers) Telomeres shorten as people age. Regular exercise keeps the brain sharp, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, and reduces inflamation.

4. Have an active and healthy social life. Think about it, when you get back from hanging out with your friends you feel invigorated and refreshed and happy. As it turns out, this is a good thing. Who would have known? Having good friendships can help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and depression.

5. Eat more eggs! Omega-3 Fatty acids is a very healthy fat. It is good for your brain, heart, skin, bones, and joints.

Organic Produce is Smaller in Size

Ever wonder why organic fruits and vegetables are smaller in size than non-organic fruits and vegetables. Here is the answer from Claire Robinson on EcoGlobe.org

"As I understand it, chemical farmers use mainly three elements in their fertiliser--nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK)--at the expense of the hundreds of complex substances present in the organic fertiliser used by orgie farmers. NPK is good at promoting rich-looking, fast and lush growth, which, however, is depleted in much of the mineral and vitamin content it should have.

This is not to mention the substances like secondary metabolites found at high levels in organic food but at much lower levels in chemical and processed food, which according to research done recently by the UK's Soil Assoc and presented on the BBC's The Food Programme, act on the body like anti-oxidants, preventing cancer and degenerative disease/ageing.

It is tempting to conclude that a lot of the energy that small organically grown plants put into sythesizing nutrients, producing natural disease resistance and forming whatever it is that makes things flavorsome, NPK plants just put into shooting upwards and outwards."

So, while organic produce is smaller, it is more nutrient dense, has more vitamins and minerals, and contains less water. Not to mention Organic fertilizers don't break down soil like chemical fertilizers do. Thanks Claire

Things Everyone Must Do to Enjoy the Summer

1. If possible, go to the beach

2. Go camping (must include tent and campfire)

3. If you have a yard, start a garden today, even if you just use one packet of seeds. The hardest part of growing your organic foods at home is getting started.

4. Eat a Popsicle (you know you want to)

5. Get a little sun (your body will love you for it, a little vitamin D goes a long way)

6. Water balloon fight. Just go outside and throw a couple at your pesky neighbors. The worst that could happen is you get charged with asault. No big deal.

7. Go for a bicycle ride. Doesn't matter how far or how long, but some summer air can do anybody a load of good!

8. Go swimming! outside, if possible.

9. Find someone with a boat and get them to take you for a ride. Extra points if you do a water sport while you're at it.

10. Get a little healthier. Always wanted to lose a couple pounds? Always wanted a little more muscle definition? Always wanted to cut out trans fats from your diet? Just make one small change to start living a little healthier. My recommendation: cut out soda.