Make New Year Resolution

Tradition dictates that every 365 days, you should try to kick bad habits and start your life anew. So sit down with a cup of coffee, a paper and a pen, and reflect: What kinds of New Years Resolutions will you make for yourself this January 1st? courtesy:http://www.ehow.com



* Be realistic by setting achievable goals. Winning the lottery, for example, is out of your grasp.

* Describe your resolutions in specific terms. Instead of "I don't want to be lazy," opt for "I want to exercise regularly" or "I will cut down on my television watching."

* Break down large goals into smaller ones. For instance, commit to losing weight by resolving to join a gym and improve your eating habits.

* Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change, and make this part of your resolution plan. So you want to quit smoking but you smoked to relax yourself? What other forms of relaxation are available to you?

* Above all, aim for things that are truly important to you, not what you think you ought to do or what others expect of you.

So, get your paper and pen and change something to make a better tomorrow.

Increase Eye Power

If you suffer from eye problems, then it may please you to know that there are a variety of ways to strengthen your eyes, improve your vision and prevent age-related vision disorders. The function of our eyes can be damaged through continued strain and overwork, in addition to poor nutrition and environmental conditions. Restoring proper vision takes a long time for some people, but education and action can go a long way to restoring damaged or weak eyes.courtesy:ehow.com



Instructions

Train the ciliary muscles to become stronger and avoid short-sightedness by looking away at distant objects. When sitting down at work or studying, set a timer to go off every 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, take this opportunity to look at something at least 10 feet away from you. After a few minutes, return to work and continue practicing this visual exercise every 10 minutes.

Sit down somewhere comfortable and rest your elbows on either a table or on your knees. Place the cups of your palms over your eyes and while keeping all light out, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for up to 2 minutes. Slowly remove your hands away from your eyes and give yourself time to adjust to the increase in light. This exercise helps strengthen the eyes and reduces eye strain.

Stop using a night light for reading in bed. Reading in poorly lit conditions causes excessive stress on the eyes. In a study published in the scientific journal "Nature" in 1999, researcher Graham E. Quinn and colleagues found children who read at night were much more at risk for vision problems than those who read in the early morning. Reading should always be performed in well-lit conditions, and children should restrict their reading to before 8 p.m.

Take a supplement to supply the eye with required nutrients. In a study published in 2010, researcher F. Schweigert and colleagues found omega-3 fatty acids and the antioxidants lutein and zeathanthin were effective in supporting eye health and possibly preventing age-related macular degeneration. F. Schweigert, the author of the study, recommends taking these nutrients as supplements to gain clinically significant dosages. Vitamin A, B12 and C also are required for proper functioning of the eyes and can be taken either as a supplement or through the diet.

Take herbal remedies for supporting eye health. According to Kerry Bone, author of "The Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs," herbs that strengthen the eyes and improve vision include gingko, bilberry and eyebright. Bilberry in particular has been shown to increase the microcirculation of the eye and to prevent age-related diseases of the eyes. In a study published in "Advances in Gerontology" in 2005, researcher Anzhela Fursova and colleagues found bilberry was effective in preventing macular degeneration and cataracts in animals.

Evolve in Your Spiritual Practice

No matter what religious tradition you come from, having a spiritual practice allows you to develop as a person and deal with life's difficulties in a healthy manner courtesy:ehow.com.



Steps to try:

> Keep a spiritual diary. A spiritual diary is invaluable to today's spiritual seeker. No matter what spiritual tradition you follow, a spiritual diary acts as the guru, or guide in keeping you on the spiritual path. Each day keep track of the total number of hours you spend in meditation, japa, pranayama, asanas, sleep, selfless service, etc. By doing this, you become aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

> Practice karma yoga or selfless service. By doing things in an unselfish way for others, we purify the heart and become closer to God. Karma yoga reminds us that we are all connected. By helping others we forget about our own problems, reduce our ego and learn to see things from another point of view.

> Practice asanas and pranayama. These yoga practices keep the body and mind strong and healthy enough to deal with daily stress. They also help us gain control over our thoughts. With a clear mind and more energy, we make better choices.

> Study spiritual books. We all need inspiration during life's trying times. These books teach us how to live in this world. They help develop our powers of discrimination which we need to decide what is good for us in and what isn't. This practice also helps to develop good character and ethical conduct.

Health Advantages of Coconut Water

Coconut water is considered the most natural beverage--after water of course. For centuries, people around the world have revered coconut water for its health benefits, convenience and taste. In the United States and the rest of the western world, the "miracle drink" has been steadily gaining popularity for its flavor, hydration properties and nutritional value.



Identification: Is there a difference between coconut milk and coconut water? Yes, a big one. Coconut water is a thin clear liquid found at the center of the nut before maturation, while coconut "milk" is made from the liquid extracted from the actual flesh of the coconut. The milk is much thicker and richer, and maintains a very high fat content. The water of a young green coconut is sweet and light. As the nut ages, the nutrients in the water are absorbed by the flesh, leaving the water bitter and lackluster. Therefore, to reap the natural health and flavor benefits of coconut water, the coconut must be harvested while it is still green.

Natural Sports Drink: The most "trendy" benefit of coconut water, as seen in the marketing of commercial products such as Zico and Vita Coco, is re-hydration. Coconut water has been dubbed "the natural Gatorade" for its high levels of electrolytes and minerals. People sweat out these minerals during physical activity, so re-hydrating is essential when exercising. The replenishing of electrolytes is the concept behind commercial sports drinks, therefore many believe that coconut water should be marketed as "the natural sports drink." In 2007, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was granted a patent to bottle and sell coconut water as a sports drink.

Alleviation of Ailments: Aside from crucial electrolytes, coconut water contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamins, sugars and proteins. For centuries, it has helped hydrate, cool body temperature and maintain immune system balance. Due to the saline and albumen content, it is used to ease symptoms of cholera, urinary tract diseases, kidney stones and dysentery. According to the Coconut Development Board, it helps promote weight loss, relieves rashes when applied externally, can be used as an antiseptic or as an emergency substitute during a blood transfusion and may aide the body's immune system when fighting AIDS, cancer and diabetes. Coconut water has also proven beneficial for alleviating nausea, as it naturally settles the stomach. Therefore, it's also an ideal hangover cure in lieu of the raw egg and milk.

Warning: There are many myths about the benefits of coconut water, such as one that says drinking enough coconut water will cause a mother to start producing milk again to feed another person's baby. This has not been proven, and it has no biological foundation. While there are many nutritional benefits to coconut water, it is not a medicinal cure. Coconut water aides healing and alleviation of many ailments, though it is not a cure for any severe disease.

Benefits: Coconut water is all-natural, and aside from its benefits, no harm can come from its consumption. The long-term and short-term benefits of nature's "miracle water" offer sufficient reason for its regular consumption. In the United States, there are many brands of commercially bottled coconut water available to the consumer. However, if you truly desires the health benefits of coconut water, along with the taste and enjoyment benefits, then get on a plane, head to the beach, order a coconut freshly hacked open in front of your eyes, and sip slowly through a straw.

Good Foods for People Quitting Smoking

Most smokers worry about gaining weight when they quit smoking, and some may use it as an excuse to avoid quitting. Regardless of weight gain, quitting smoking will benefit your health in many ways. There are ways to reduce the chances of weight gain or at least reduce the amount of weight you may gain. Replacing cigarette breaks with a short walk and eating the right snacks can help to reduce cravings and weight gain. Eating foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and small portions of sweet and salty treats can help to curb cigarette cravings.



Fruit: Fresh fruit is healthy and usually an easy-to-grab snack. Bite-sized fruit such as grapes, strawberries, cherries and raisins can be eaten at room temperature and do not require utensils. Having bite-sized fruit available when you have a craving can be helpful. In addition, you can select dehydrated fruits as well such as mangos, banana chips, apple chips and apricots. Dehydrated fruit lasts longer and is a handy and tasty snack to have on your desk at work.

Vegetables: Fresh vegetables such as celery sticks, carrot sticks, green beans, mushrooms, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes and broccoli are tasty raw and healthy for you. If you are craving a cigarette, grab a small dish of some fresh vegetables to help pass the urge and reduce weight gain. Most grocery stores sell vegetables already cut up for an added convenience.

Nuts: Raw nuts such as almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts are packed full of important nutrients and even help lower your cholesterol and reduce the chances of heart disease. Nuts are bite-size, and they last a long time. Carrying a sandwich bag of mixed nuts around will help with any on-the-go cravings you may have, and they will also provide your body with fiber and vitamin E.

Sweet and Salty Snacks: If you are craving a sweet or salty snack, consider eating rye crackers, pretzels, dry cereal, rice cakes, unbuttered popcorn or low-fat baked potato chips. Since some of these snacks may not be as healthy, try to stick to the serving size by pre-portioning the snacks into small sandwich bags. It will add to the convenience as well, you will be able to grab a little snack when you are on the go.