Energy drinks are a very popular fad and are growing in numbers and products throughout the world today. People use them because they promise more energy and are perceived as healthy drinks. But the question is, are they really good for you or are they hiding something? Let’s take a more in-depth look at what is in most of these energy drinks to really get a good idea of what you’re putting in your body.

A good majority of energy drinks on the market today come loaded with high fructose corn syrup. What is high fructose corn syrup? It’s the same ingredient that you will find in most sodas and cans of pop today. It’s basically a generic form of sugar that gives you an immediate rush of energy but can also pack on pounds and make your belly bigger.

The ones that do not have high fructose corn syrup in their ingredients will include some type of artificial sweetener which may even be worse than sugar itself. These artificial sweeteners will trick your body into thinking its getting calories when it’s really not. What this does is only makes you hungrier and will increase your appetite, especially if you drink a lot of these sweeteners.

One of the main ingredients in these energy drinks is caffeine. Caffeine can help you feel more alert and active when you’re tired but there are healthier alternatives in places you can get your caffeine intake instead. For example, certain teas and coffees include plenty of antioxidants that these energy drinks just do not have. Read the rest of this entry »

Now with the benefits of juicing becoming extremely popular the world over, a juice bar is becoming a much needed and compulsory accessory in kitchens worldwide. One of the most basic and essential parts of a juice bar is the juicer. How can you start juicing without a good juicer? Well, if you are planning to take the plunge and buy yourself a juicer, there are chances that you will be very confused when you reach the supermarket. There are a plethora of options when it comes to juicers. From citrus juicers to wheatgrass ones and centrifugal juicers to triturating juicers, there are a lot of options in juicers. It is essential that you have some knowledge about these things to help you get the one that is best suited for your interests.

Various Types Of Juicers

There are three basic types of juicers based on the type of fruit that can be juiced in them. They are citrus juicers, wheatgrass juicers, and multi-purpose juicers. Citrus juicers are made primarily for juicing citrus fruits like oranges, limes, and pomegranate. There are electrical as well as manual citrus juicers available. They have parts made of plastic or stainless steel. The functioning of the juicer may also vary along with the price. Higher priced ones will allow you to control the pulp level. You can thus choose if you want a more dilute watery juice or a thicker pulpy one. The quantity of juice that you can extract from the juice while juicing may also vary with the quality of the juicer. Read the rest of this entry »

Going on a nice picnic is a great way that you can create some wonderful memories with your family. After all, there is something about the open air that just makes everything special. Forget the strawberry stains or even the ants when you are out there sharing food and fun with people you love.

The great thing is that you can enjoy some great healthy foods with a bit of planning. After all, with sealed containers, you can make about any dish portable. Some people tend to bring along high calorie foods, such as chips, for their picnic. If you want to make sure you have a healthy picnic, here are some great tips, and even a recipe you can use for a healthy picnic everyone will enjoy.

Tip #1 – Forget the Chips

Chips may be nice and crunchy, but the calories and fat can really add up fast on a picnic. Instead of taking along the chips, go with cut up veggies and fruits. They add plenty of crunch, they taste great, and they are healthy as well. It is easy to share cut up veggies and fruits on your picnic too and they will definitely add something special.

Tip #2 – Drink Healthy Drinks

You can make your picnic even more festive with a few great drinks. Avoid going with high sugar sodas while you are on the picnic. One great option is to go with seltzer that has a bit of juice for a festive drink that does not include alcohol. Boxed wines are another tasty choice – just do not drink too much. Since you will be outdoors, ensure you get plenty of water as well so you do not end up dealing with dehydration. Read the rest of this entry »