Author: admin_tfpharmacies

How Safe is Your Sunblock?

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As a child, you figured your mom was paranoid. Every time you went outside in the summer, she slathered your skin with that smelly white stuff. As you got to be a teenager, perhaps you favored vanity over safety. You may have spent hours lounging in the sun without a care. You craved that toasted brown look that paired so well with your neon shorts.

How about now? At the first sign of a wrinkle or a dark brown spot on your skin, you may have realized that your mother right after all. You may be even more fastidious about applying sunblock as you hear about friends who have had skin cancer, and you hope that your sunblock is doing all it can to protect you.

Is your sunblock really all it’s cracked up to be?

 

Shining the Light of Truth on Your Sunblock

 

While you might be concerned about what your sunblock is keeping out, you should also be concerned about what your sunblock is letting in. Your skin is your largest organ. It drinks in whatever you apply to it, including toxic compounds.

More than 80,000 sunblock and sunscreen products are on the market. How do you choose one that’s helpful and not harmful?

Let’s take a look at some common ingredients to avoid in your sunblock.

 

Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate)

You may not think of vitamin A as being harmful. However, when it’s applied directly to the skin and exposed to sunlight, it may actually speed up the growth of skin tumors.

 

Oxybenzone

This common ingredient is a hormone disruptor when it enters your bloodstream, as it will certainly do when applied to your skin. Additionally, it blocks only UVB rays, the kind that help you absorb vitamin D from the sun, and not the harmful UVA rays.

 

Fragrance

It may smell like summer to you, but the fragrance in sunblock is harmful. It is generally petroleum-based and filled with chemicals. If you don’t want those chemicals in your bloodstream (and we know you don’t), then stay away from any sunblock that lists fragrance as an ingredient.

 

What to Look for in a Sunblock

 

When you avoid the above ingredients, you’ve already narrowed down your choices quite a bit. Here are a few ingredients to look for when you go shopping for sunblock.

 

Mineral-Based Sunblocks

Sunblocks that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are your best bet. They provide protection from harmful rays and don’t release harmful ingredients into your bloodstream.

 

Fragrance-Free or Essential Oils

If you must have a fragrance in your sunblock, go for one that contains natural essential oils. Otherwise, skip the smelly stuff altogether.

 

Pre-approved Sunblocks

The Environmental Working Group has released its guide for the safest sunblocks. Check it out before you hit the drugstore.

Remember that getting a certain amount of sunlight each day is necessary for your health. It promotes production of vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory hormone necessary for good health. So you don’t want to ban the sun from your life. However, when you do need protection from intense exposure to the sun, make sure you choose something that is good for you and your family!

You don’t want to stop at just sunblock, though! What you put on your skin 365 days a year has a profound bearing on your health. Have you ever wondered what’s really in that miracle wrinkle cream and what it’s doing to your body? Check out our slide presentation: The Ugly Truth About Beauty Products to learn all about what your skin is really eating!

Eat Smart: Nutritionist Approved Workout Snacks

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When it comes to working out, you want to make every second count. After all, you’re putting a lot of sweat and hard work into keeping yourself in shape, and you want to see results!

The truth is, what you eat before and after your workout sessions plays a huge role in the results that you see on the scale and in how you feel. How do you know what to eat? Will just anything do? In fact, should you eat at all before you hit the gym?

 

Nutritionist Approved Pre-Workout Snacks

Although some workout fans swear by not eating at all before a workout, the truth is that your body needs fuel if it’s going to make the most out of your sweat sessions. However, not just any fuel will do. Pre-workout, you’ll want to focus on beefing up your carbs. But, don’t head to the potato chip aisle just yet.

Complex carbs are key to your success. Here are a few suggestions to keep you pumped up for your workout:

 

1. Plain Yogurt with Fresh Fruit

This snack provides nutrition in the right form. Yogurt contains natural probiotics that are good for your digestion, as well as a healthy amount of fats to provide sustainable energy. By adding fruit to the mix, you give your body necessary vitamins, as well as a burst of natural sugars for energy.

 

2. Hummus with Pita Chips or Veggies

Hummus contains natural minerals that fuel your metabolism, as well as healthy fats. The pita chips or vegetables provide a complex carb that will give your body sustainable energy throughout your workout.

 

3. Rice Cakes with Almond Butter and Honey

Your first thought about rice cakes may not be a good one. However, you’ve likely never had rice cakes like these before!

Chow down on two rice cakes with about a tablespoon of almond butter and a drizzle of honey for a natural boost of energy.

 

4. Oatmeal with Nuts and Dried Fruit

Even if you don’t plan your workouts after breakfast, oatmeal is a pre-workout snack that can be enjoyed any time of day. Oatmeal is a complex carb that, when mixed with nuts and fruit, provided a balanced amount of carbs for long-term energy, protein and fat for muscle health, and natural sugar for a burst of energy.

 

5. Fruit Smoothie

A fruit smoothie can be the perfect way to boost your energy right before a workout. Load up on berries, a banana, some coconut oil, and some unsweetened almond milk for a delicious pre-workout beverage.

 

Nutritionist Approved Post-Workout Snacks

Equally important is what you eat after your workout. This is your recovery period, so you want to give your body the tools it needs to repair itself, and continue to build muscle. This means providing it with plenty of protein.

 

1. Protein Bar

Not all protein bars are created equal. Check the ingredients carefully to ensure that you don’t choose one that is laden with sugar, or one that professes to a be a protein bar, but only contains a few grams of protein.

 

2. Cottage Cheese and Fruit

Cottage cheese contains a healthy amount of protein, and by adding fruit to the mix, you give your body a healthy dose of energy, as well as nutrients.

 

3. Protein Smoothie

Protein smoothies are a quick and easy way to give your body the tools it needs to repair itself after an intense workout.

Try adding 1 1/2 cups of almond milk to a scoop of vanilla protein powder, one tablespoon of almond butter, and one banana.

 

4. Hard-Boiled Egg and Nuts

Hard-boiled eggs can be made up ahead of time and saved in the refrigerator. They provide a healthy dose of natural fats and protein, that, when eaten with heart-healthy nuts, helps you to make the most of your workout time.

 

5. Turkey-Pepper Rollups

Sliced turkey is a lean protein that helps you to build muscle. Wrap a slice around some red or green bell pepper slivers to create an antioxidant-rich snack that will help you flush out those toxins and also build muscle at the same time.

 

What to Do Next

It’s not easy to live healthy in a world that promotes a junk food lifestyle. Ready to get a little support for your healthy habits? Check out ebook, Better Health Through Good Nutrition: A User’s Guide. Inside, you’ll learn all about how to avoid sabotaging your own health with nutrition myths, and how to lose weight when nothing seems to be working.

Enjoy your free copy in good health!

Treat Sleep Apnea Naturally – 5 Essential Remedies

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Sleep is one of life’s most precious commodities. Most of us would not even be able to put a price tag on getting a good night’s sleep. Without it, you feel sick and groggy, like you’re walking through a fog, your immune system suffers, and so does your mood.

“I sleep 7-8 hours every night and I still feel exhausted in the morning,” you might say. If this is the case, it might be time to check with your roommate or significant other to see if they are sleeping well. Why? Because it may be that your snoring is keeping them awake, and preventing you from getting the quality of sleep you need to feel well-rested.

In fact, it is estimated that 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a disorder that inhibits proper airflow when you sleep. This condition occurs when tissue in the back of your throat collapses, blocking airflow. The result is decreased delivery of oxygen, leading to fatigue, brain fog, and snoring.

 

Say Goodnight to Sleep Apnea

Let’s make sleep apnea a thing of the past! Check out these five natural remedies.

 

1. Chamomile

This herb is an excellent muscle relaxant. It promotes good sleep and nerve function.

You can prepare chamomile as a tea, letting it steep for at least five minutes before drinking it. Or you can combine the herb with a carrier massage oil and rub it directly on your chest and back.

 

2. Hops

Hops are known for their sedative properties, relaxing the brain and muscles. Sip on a cup of tea brewed with hops right before bed, or take hops as an herbal supplement.

 

3. Practice Breathing

You wouldn’t think that it would be necessary to practice something so basic as breathing. However, you may not be taking in enough oxygen even during the day, leading to excessive carbon dioxide levels and tight muscles.

Start by laying flat on the floor, with your hand over your stomach. Breath in for four counts using your nose, then slowly let the breath out of your mouth in four counts. Notice if your stomach rises or not. Many of us breath in a very shallow manner, only raising our chest. However, a deep breath should make the belly rise and fall, just as babies do when they are sleeping.

 

4. Change Position

Most sleep apnea sufferers find that sleeping on their back causes the greatest amount of snoring. Try sleeping on your side, and experiment to see which position gets you the best results.

Often, this simple change is enough to reposition the tissue so that it’s not blocking airflow.

 

5. Lose Weight

This is the toughest remedy to apply, but probably the one with the best success rate. Added weight, especially in your belly, means added pressure on your chest, further restricting airflow.

If you have a lot of weight to lose, try making small changes one at a time. For instance, resolve to eat a healthy breakfast containing organic foods, such as eggs and fruit.

 

Putting Sleep Apnea to Bed for Good

It’s time to get back to normal! Put your poor sleeping habits behind you for good. It’s certainly possible, and you can even do it naturally.

With that in mind, we’ve prepared a special ebook for you: Beat Insomnia. A Guide to Falling Asleep and Staying Asleep. After downloading your copy, you’ll be able to learn more about the reasons you’re not falling asleep or staying asleep, and how to fix the problem naturally.

It’s our gift to you in hopes of helping you get a good night’s sleep!

 

Why Counting Calories Doesn’t Work

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You’ve been so determined to lose weight that you’ve decided to do the responsible thing and start watching every calorie. Perhaps you’ve even spent some bucks on fancy gear that tracks your calorie intake or downloaded an app to your phone that stays with you through every bite you take, watching you like a strict matron of calories.

 

You step on the scale in hopes of seeing that magical number you’ve been dreaming about, only to discover that the scale hasn’t budged an ounce — or, worse yet, that you’ve gained weight! How could this be? Isn’t losing weight a matter of science? Fewer calories in,  more calories out, you reason, should lead to weight loss.

You are absolutely right — losing weight is a matter of science. And while counting calories may seem logical, in reality it can lead to diet disaster. Let’s check out why this is so.

 

Common Calorie-Counting Pitfalls

 

You Become too Anxious

Counting calories often leads to anxiety over every bite taken. You may feel a strong sense of failure when you eat more than your daily allowance. This, in turn, produces stress hormones that encourage cravings for junk food. And, since you’ve already gone over your daily limit, you reason that this diet day is pretty much shot, so why not make the most of it and pig out on what you really want to eat?

This type of extreme thinking is exactly what leads to diet disaster.

 

You Think of Losing Weight as a Math Equation

You may think that losing weight is merely about taking in fewer calories than you use. And, to a certain extent, that is true. However, thinking that that is the only factor in losing weight is short-sighted.

There are many other elements involved in successfully losing weight and keeping it off. For instance, hormones play a huge role in your metabolism, as do stress and even food allergies and intolerances.

If you’re not approaching weight loss as a whole-body health issue, even if you do drop a few pounds, they are likely to come back.

 

You Focus on Calories Instead of Nutrition

Pop quiz: Which has fewer calories — two slices of bacon, or half an avocado?

If you answered “bacon,” then you are absolutely correct. And if you’re focused on calorie counting, then you’ll choose the bacon. However, by choosing the bacon, you miss out on some critical nutrients that are provided by the avocado, as well as healthy fats that actually boost your metabolism.

The lesson? Calorie counting may work in the short term, but sustainable weight loss is accomplished by eating a nutrient-rich diet.

 

You “Save” Your Calories

If you’re watching every calorie, it can be tempting to save your calories for occasions when you know you’re likely to pig out. You may eat meager portions throughout the day, only to gorge yourself on the items you love — such as alcohol, potato chips, or other unhealthy food choices.

This sort of yo-yo eating doesn’t make full use of your metabolism. Your body needs a steady supply of energy to achieve a steady metabolism that will encourage weight loss.

 

How to Avoid the Calorie Counting Trap

 

The bottom line about weight loss is that there’s no speeding bullet. To see sustainable improvements in your weight and health, you must make changes slowly. And they must encompass your health goals as well.

That’s why we’ve created the “Lose Weight, Gain Energy Plan.” This 30-day program is designed to help you make small changes at a pace you can handle. And it does it with no calorie counting and no chemical-laden drinks or snack bars.  It’s 30 days of healthy weight loss goals delivered, in manageable portions, straight to your inbox. Ready to get started?

The importance of getting your flu shot!

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Why Childhood Vaccines Are Essential

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Four Local Pharmacies in Northern Jersey

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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English.

The Importance of Getting Your Flu Shot!

Posted on by admin_tfpharmacies

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English.

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