IS TAP WATER SAFE TO DRINK?

Traces of at least 18 potentially, hazardous pollutants were found in more than one-third of U.S. water utilities during a nationwide sampling, as noted in a report by Environmental Health News (EHN). So, the concern as to whether or not your tap water is safe is a major one, and rightfully so.

Scary as it may sound, those findings included such pollutants as herbicides, anti-bacterials, viruses, metals, anti-depressants, pesticides and more. Scientific studies have found that these can cause thyroid disease, endocrine disruption and various types of cancers. They can cause oxidation of your cells, breaking down your immune system, and leaving you vulnerable to disease... scary but true.

You're probably asking yourself right now, is there any good news in all of this?

It's hard to say. Concentrations of these compounds are low, according to a U.S. Geological Survey. The unknown lies in what will long-term exposure of such low-levels do to our bodies?

Further studies also revealed most treatment plants aren't successful in removing all of the compounds that pass through them. They remove some but, not all, and react with others, transforming into a chemical we don't know much about.

What can you do to protect you and your family?

Learn what's in your water. The E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) requires all local utilities to provide a Consumer Confidence Report every year to their customers. It will tell you about the water used by your own municipality. If you have a well you use as your water source, you can call the hotline for the E.P.A. at 800-426-4791 for the name of a state-certified lab to have your water tested.

If, there are traces of compounds found in your tap water, you should install a faucet filtration system for extra protection. Consumer Reports offers great information along with their suggestions and rankings of their top recommended water faucet filters.

Taking probiotics is one of the most important things you can do for better health, because every person needs good bacteria to maintain a healthy digestive system. The presence of good bacteria leaves no room for parasites and other unwanted organisms to attach. A poor lifestyle and simply what we are exposed to, including the water we drink can destroy the good bacteria in our bodies. When that happens, your body is left vulnerable to numerous diseases. Probiotics can help restore the body to its natural state of balance.

By Chuck Hallberg

WHY IS EXERCISE IN THE MORNING THE BEST TIME?

There are several benefits when exercising in the morning in contrast to other times of the day. If this sounds surprising consider the time factor. We are getting more done and performance in general is better in the morning than at other times of the day. Getting the most benefits from an effective exercise program it has to become a pattern or routine, and the best time is in the morning. If you schedule your exercise later in the day, invariable, there will be something competing for that time, and you will miss out on that exercise.

Set aside those half n hour to 60 minutes for whatever exercise you may do in the morning. It will become such a routine that you can hardly do without it once it is in your system; even your breakfast will taste better afterwards. Another disadvantage of exercising late in the day or at night is it tends to rev up your system when its time for your body to relax, winding down and preparing for bed and a good night's sleep. This question often gets asked: What type of exercise is best? This can vary; it depends on what your objectives are. For sport purpose you would choose a different exercise than anyone who wants to improve his overall fitness or to overcome some health issues.

The best exercise and equipment!

When people are looking which exercise machine to buy, the best one is with four legs: A dog! A dog will remind and even force you to walk it every day which makes two positives: The dog is happy and pays you back with affection, and "You" will become fit and healthy. For a gradual exercise program to build a stronger body and overcome some health problems there is no better than walking. With 30 to 60 minutes brisk walking early in the morning you get better results than at any other time during the day. For some staying motivated is difficult. It can help to do this together with a friend or in a group where you feel more committed, this way it's not as easy to make excuses and to say no. Some other crucial element in exercising is enjoyment; having to force you into this exercise every time will soon lead to abandonment. Make sure to wear the appropriate footwear as walking can put pressure on your feet which can cause pain and become uncomfortable. Most cities have walking paths to keep away from traffic, or choose walking through park land or grass areas. Walking on grass if possible is better; it cushions and absorbs the impact on your joints and ligaments, this especially applies when you are jogging.

Long extended exercise is not always better for your health!

Long cardio sessions of exercise may not benefit your health; it could have just the opposite effect. By having or staying on for long periods such as marathons can pose a significant risk and damage to your heart. Long distance running can cause acute overload and stress to your body, but the heart is usually the most affected and sudden cardiac arrest is possible. According to research a more effective and safer exercise is high intensity interval training, in a time frame from 30 to 40 minutes, which consists of short bursts of intense exertion. Give your body a rest period after intense training and between workouts. It is also recommended a diet high in nutrients and a good amount of fluid intake, the best is water. Good exercise should consist of a balanced program. Just jumping on to a treadmill or exercise bike at a gym will not give you this level of fitness or health benefits.

It will make all the difference in your life being fit, flexible, no pain and feeling strong. With regular exercise you will be reaping the rewards and feel better than you ever did before. For a mere few hours a week of putting in some effort you get the benefits of regaining the energy you need, being able to do anything in life you want to do. In the morning combine the two most crucial strategies together: Exercise and a good breakfast. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Having these two in that order, exercise and a healthy, protein-rich breakfast is the best start for the day and for taking control of your health.

By Josef Bichlerm, visit his websit for mpre: http://josefbichler.com/free

Thank you for reading..

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD POSTURE WHEN WORKING IN THE OFFICE

With more and more people sitting at desks and in offices for work, the occurrence of back problems, recurring pain and bad posture is becoming more and more frequent. While ergonomic chairs, monitor risers and health and safety experts are commonplace, helping employees sit in the correct manner, such time sat at a desk in one position is not natural and can therefore lead to problems.

This is where the importance of good posture comes in. By sitting correctly and understand how the body should be positioned, it will not only reduce the likelihood of problems in later life but it also offers other benefits. A good posture will help improve how we feel while sat at work, but also helps to keep the back muscles and spine in the right alignment so that the likelihood of pain or back aches is reduced.

Firstly, it's important to define what good posture actually is. When sat a desk, the lower back should be sufficiently supported so that there is no strain on the muscles. Your feet should also be flat on the floor and your eyes level with the top of your monitor. Ideally your forearms should be perpendicular with your body too. All of this may be difficult to achieve without the use of ergonomic accessories such as screen risers, foot rests or back supports.

When all of these aspects are brought together, your body should be properly supported so that no muscles are straining or under pressure. It's also worth noting that you should still regularly get up, walk around and stretch, rather than remain sitting for extended periods of time.

So what is the importance of a good posture, apart from reducing aches and pains? One benefit is that it actually helps improve breathing and airflow through the body. By straightening your body, the airways are less restricted and the lungs can work to full capacity. So a good posture will help you take in more air and feel better as a result.

Another advantage of good posture is purely aesthetic, but it can also help you feel good within yourself. Many of us, while sat at a desk or when standing, slouch without really realising it. However, good posture helps us to look taller, leaner and much better; this not only makes us feel better but presents a better image to others too.

Keeping good posture is something that all of us should strive to achieve and does not take on enough importance in many working environments. However, with a few simple steps it is easy to improve posture and overall health.

By Rebecca_S_Black

HOW TO ACCEPT LIFE AS IT IS, NOT AS IT SHOULD BE

Do you "shoulda", "coulda", "woulda" yourself?

You know what I mean. I should clean the house today. I should make a gourmet meal. I should call up that friend. I should have visited that person. I should...

Or, I could have fixed that. I could have called more often. I could have taken them a meal.

Maybe you tell yourself. I would do that if I had more time. I would join that organization, volunteer, take that course, take time for myself, etc.

As women, we do this far too often. We find reasons why we don't take time for ourselves. We have been told by parents, bosses, spouses what we "should" be doing or what we "could" be doing with our time. And friends and acquaintances often feel free to tell us what they "would" do if they were us.

When was the last time that you went out with some of your female friends for a meal. Not just a brief coffee while you are looking after your children or before your spouse comes home, but a real meal with lots of time to relax and share stories and not worry about what is going on at home?

When is the last time that you danced in the rain, or painted or just sat down and read for a whole afternoon without worrying about what others would think? We can drive ourselves crazy trying to do what everyone expects us to do, or rather what we think everyone expects us to do. It is time to just accept things for what they are.

If you have children, you need to accept the fact that the house is going to get messy, that it is not going to be picture perfect. You will become tired as you try to keep up with them and it is okay to have a nap when needed instead of trying to clean. You can give yourself permission not to be perfect. This is a huge step for many of us women. This is not to say that you completely give up on ever having a clean house again, it is just realizing that the kids are more important than the house.

It's time to set yourself free! To accept who you are and what you want to do. Not what others think you should do. You will never "find" the time to do what you want. You have to make the time to do it and you need to realize and believe that you are worth it! If you want to quilt, find a group in your area to join, or start one. If you always wanted to paint, check the local artists to see if any of them are giving lessons. If you want to try pottery, or weaving or any new skill, check to see if there is a local artist group in your town and ask them who might be available.

Simplify your life by doing what you want to do, not what you should do. You will find you have more time for the things you enjoy. If you love to cook, then cook. If you love to dance, then dance. If you love to have friends over, then do that. If you love to read, then read. You owe it to yourself to take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.

By Fran Watson

KILLING LOW SELF ESTEEM

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:4-5"

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... Hosea 4:6a"

In order for us to overcome low self-esteem, we must know who we are and what we are worth. For this to be accomplished, it is imperative that we understand the work of the cross. God allowed Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf as an exchange for us to have eternal life and an abundant life on earth. (See John 10:10). He allowed Jesus to be wounded for areas where we have fallen short of the mark, and bruised for our premeditated sins. Notice the colon (":") in the passage from Isaiah written above. When a colon is inserted in a sentence, it is to signify that the words following it will explain the words preceding it. Following the colon in this passage, it states that the chastisement of our peace was upon Jesus and with his stripes, we are healed. Thus, Jesus took on our sin so that we might have peace and be healed. In other words, he took on our sins so that we might have "shalom" (peace), i.e., safety, health, prosperity and be "raphah" (healed), i.e., made thoroughly whole. God does not want us to lack anything in this life, including a healthy self-esteem. Jesus came to set us free. Receive his gift. Think about it, if Jesus came to set you free and to ensure your health and welfare, why would you ever have to walk with a hung-down head? My pastor, Bishop T.D. Jakes, has said, "The price of a product reflects its worth." God allowed his only begotten Son, Jesus, to die a horrible death on our behalf. Jesus was mocked, spat upon, and slapped by 500 soldiers. He had a crown of thorns pushed into his head and he received forty stripes with a whip, which ripped his flesh in every lashing. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, his side was riven, and he poured out every drop of his blood for us. Will you look at the price God has paid for you? This price reflects the great worth God believes you have. We each have great worth in the sight of God. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (See Rom. 3:22). Never forget this. Your embracing this is the key to your victory.

I personally ceased from the troublings of low self-esteem several years ago. While vacationing during my early twenties, I met a lady who by the world's standards was extremely unattractive. She was so unattractive until I felt very badly for thinking so. She looked as though someone had run into her with a Mack truck and left her for dead. However, before I could feel sorry for her, I noticed that she carried herself as though someone had forgotten to tell her how she looked. "How could she look like this, but act like that?" I wondered. She, indeed, carried herself like a woman of God. She walked in a tremendous peace. Girlfriend also used what she had. She had her hair done in a nice style, which was very popular at the time, and she wore clothes that complimented her figure type. She was no small woman; however, she did not try to force a size 28 into an 8. She found stylish clothes that made her look wonderful. I found this woman intriguing. I could not fathom this peace she had. Suddenly, I found myself wanting to be like her. I wanted to have what she had. I wanted to be able to carry myself as she did, regardless as to whether the crowd accepted me. I vowed right then that I would never think of myself as "less than," due to flaws in my physical appearance. I figured if this woman could walk around like a queen while looking as if she had been left for dead, then I could accept the things about me that I believed hindered my attractiveness. I began to remind myself how I am fearfully and wonderfully made and how because of Christ, "I got it going on!" You have got it going on, too... Walk in it!

Source: EzineArticles