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7 ‘Fake’ Foods To Never Eat

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The “food industrial complex” may be amongst the most corrupt markets in the world – and, for the most, part, they get away with pumping fake foods into the supermarkets.

Here’s a harsh reality: most people have no idea what they’re eating. Need proof? In a poll taken by the Organic Consumers Association, 75 percent of Americans didn’t know they were eating genetically engineered foods.

Just 29 percent of people say they “trust the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)” according to the same study.

The fast food industry? Ethics aren’t much better there, either. Companies from Red Lobster – busted for selling, well, fake lobster; to upscale steak restaurants feeding customers “100%, grass-fed” beef from cows saturated with drugs and hormones seems to be the norm in the food industry.

In this article, we discuss seven foods known not only to be incredibly unhealthy; but foods marketed to the public – in many cases – as the exact opposite.

7 ‘Fake’ Foods To Never Eat

Paradoxically, Americans are becoming both more obese and nutrient deficient at the same time. Obese children eating processed foods are nutrient depleted and increasingly get scurvy and rickets, diseases we thought we left behind in the 19th and 20th centuries. – Mark Hyman, M.D.

1. Diet Soda

We all know the dangerous consequences of drinking sugary soda. Kids drink of choice? Mountain Dew: 77 grams of sugar (12 teaspoons in a 20-ounce serving.)

Along came Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi, and loads of other sugar-free sodas. But something had something must’ve been substituted to give the product its flavor, right? Actually, a few things were added: aspartame, acesulfame K. neotame, sucralose; “artificial sweeteners” for short.

The problem is that most independent, scientific research ties “fake sugar” to several health-related issues. Depression, digestive problems, joint pain, metabolic disruptions, and neurological diseases are all cited as potential issues from consuming the stuff.

2. Canned Tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes are a delicious staple for many dishes. They are also incredibly healthy and loaded with beneficial antioxidants and nutrients.

Canned tomatoes? Not so much. Besides being heavily processed, canned tomatoes contain unhealthy levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) – a synthetic estrogen linked to reproductive problems; to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

The high levels of BPA found in canned tomatoes come from manufacturers preferred method of packaging: tin cans. More specifically, the resin linings of tin cans.

A healthier choice: tomatoes in glass bottles, or of the organic variety.

3. Microwaved Popcorn

Back in the day, workers making popcorn developed a strange disease that was called “popcorn lung.” The culprit? A food chemical by the name of Diacetyl.

As with most public health hazards, word eventually got out to the public. Companies responded by eliminating diacetyl; only to replace it with other additives with the same effects as diacetyl: dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, phlegm production, fatigue, drowsiness, headache, aches, fever, and nausea.

The better option? Make your popcorn with real butter. No, it isn’t necessarily a “healthy” choice,” but it won’t produce symptoms similar to the black lung either.

4. “Fish” Sticks

Contrary to popular opinion, fish sticks contain little to no fish at all. Rather unsurprising, since the cost of real crab is proportionately much higher.

Instead, these are often a mix of fish, additives (extract, flavor, seasonings, etcetera.) Manufacturers choose the fish used for these sticks just for its texture and color. Texture and color that are meant to resemble the appearance of a real fish. Thus, they confuse consumers.

The result: a high-processed product with loads to additives and preservatives, including monosodium glutamate (MSG), starches, and “food gum” to create texture.

5. Spray cheese (aka, “Easy Cheese”)

Spray cheese, cheese-in-a-can, or whatever one may call it, is an extremely unhealthy, additive-laden product. Sold in a pressurized can, the product appealed to consumers who’d taken a liking to a tasty, convenient alternative to individually sliced or shredded cheese.

Whole cheese, though one may debate its health impact, is a relatively unadulterated product with few ingredients. Spray cheese, as mentioned, is loaded with additives; including substances from canola oil and lactic acid, to milk protein and whey protein concentrate.

6. Chicken Nuggets

Remember that whole ordeal with McDonald’s and their chicken nuggets? In short, the company used no less than 40(!) ingredients to create the product. Sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, modified food starch, corn starch, thiamine mononitrate, food-colored wheat flour…this doesn’t exactly resemble the “fresh white chicken” commercial, does it?

Well, the “chicken nuggets” contain at little as 40 percent meat. The rest? Artificial mixtures of chicken “parts.” Add in the high fat and calorie content, and the salt and sugar additives, and it’s no wonder why this food makes our list.

7. White bread

Oh yes, the famous Dr. Atkins “no-no” food. Unlike whole grain bread; rich with fiber and complex carbs, white bread is devoid of any real nutritional value.

White bread sold in most places is refined – a process which eliminates many of the nutrients. Rapid absorption of refined bread (or refined flour) spikes glucose levels within the body. Hence, the reason why diabetics and those with digestive issues often refrain from any consumption of white bread.

8 Exercises That Are Perfect For Women Who Want to Lose Thigh Fat

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Does it feel like every day is leg day for your friends, but you just can’t find it in yourself to do it? Do you feel that you’ll never lose weight, reduce that thigh fat and reach that thigh gap that you dream of? Well, here’s a tip: when it comes to weight loss, thigh gap is a myth. What you actually need to do to lose weight in your thighs is create muscle and strength by doing leg exercises. That will replace the leg fat and give you a much stronger, more toned look.

Big movements, specialists suggest, are key when trying to get perfect thighs. It’s important to keep your legs moving in a way that mimics natural movement as much as possible. Exercises like hamstring curls or seated leg extensions are too targeted for that. Additionally, they do little to burn the weight off your thighs. Try to do leg exercises that engage all of the muscle groups in your lower body instead and you’ll see results. So, if you’re looking to lose weight, take a look at some exercises that will be indispensable when it comes to losing thigh fat!

Here Are 8 Exercises to Reduce Thigh Fat and Prevent Leg Fat

thighs

“For a lot of people – especially women – their legs are the first place they gain weight and the last place they lose it.” – Yuri Elkaim

1. The lunge

Lunges are very easy to do. You can do them pretty much anywhere and they’re so healthy and useful for gathering lower body strength. Lunges are really effective for all kinds of weight loss as they make your heart rate quicker. That, in turn, helps burn fat, especially leg fat. Make sure to keep your shoulders straight, as that’s the most effective way to ensure you’re doing the exercise right.

2. Squats

You might not like them – I don’t think anyone really does – but froggy squats, sumo squats, or normal squats are all great for your thighs and your general lower body strength. Ask any professional athlete and they’ll tell you that squats are one of the most essential exercises out there. Start slow, and then try including some weights in your squats, because that trains your core strength and not just your legs. Whether it’s dumbbells or something lighter or heavier, you’re guaranteed to feel the change straight away.

3. Straight leg kicks

As we mentioned before, simple leg extensions won’t cut it. You need an exercise that includes all your muscles to help you burn off that pesky thigh fat. Make sure to keep your back straight and your toes pointed towards the wall. Not just for thighs, but this exercise is also excellent for abs. Repeat the exercise ten times, then switch sides for the best results. Leg kicks engage several muscle groups and they’ll also increase your general body tone, making it easier for the leg fat to burn off.

4. Hip raises

To make sure you’re losing weight off the right place in your body, it’s important to engage the right muscle groups. To do a hip raise, lie down flat on the floor with your knees bent and then raise your hips and your knees. Do a few kicks in the air with your hips off the ground, then switch sides. As strenuous as this exercise might seem, hip raises help work the muscles in your thighs and make them stronger.

5. Jumping jacks

Another full-body exercise for weight loss, jumping jacks are particularly great for burning fat off your thighs and increasing your heart rate, making sure you shed the calories. In addition to being really healthy, jumping jacks also condition your heart and lungs, helping you stay fit everywhere in your body. Moreover, they also develop your core strength, so jumping jacks are a great starting point for an exercise if you decide you want to work on any part of your body.

6. Air cycling

If you don’t have an exercise bike at home and don’t feel like spending money on the gym, air cycling is an effective way to achieve even more results than you normally would on an exercise bike. Additionally, if you have painful joints, air cycling is a great exercise because it helps them move in natural patterns. Make sure your legs stay lifted at 90 degrees – it’s tempting to let them fall down, but don’t falter! Experts recommend repeating the set of air cycling about five times per workout.

7. The wall sit

This is by far one of the best exercises you can use to burn off fat. But beware, as it’s slightly more advanced than any of the others because it requires staying in the same position for a good length of time. Make sure your feet are spread at hip width and planted firmly on the ground. Also, ensure your thighs are parallel to the ground, otherwise the thigh muscles won’t get a workout! Stay in that position for 20-60 seconds for maximum results.

8. Jump rope

Feeling like going back to your childhood days? Then grab a jump rope and let it do the work for you. It’s not just for kids, as it’s a great way to start off your cardio workout and have fun at the same time. It’s also a great core exercise and has all the benefits for your lungs and heart. And of course, jump rope exercises your legs and thighs wonderfully, which is crucial for losing all your thigh fat. You don’t even have to jump that high, just high enough to clear the rope. It’s all about the movement, not about how high you can go.

lose weight

Final thoughts on reducing thigh fat

Getting rid of your thigh fat requires a lot of positive thinking and a lot of positive leg exercises to lose weight. Make sure to follow these tips to get the most effective exercise for weight loss in order to reduce leg fat. Unfortunately, we can’t pick and choose where the weight will come off of when we start exercising, but if you’re determined and confident, nothing is impossible.

7 Signs Your Adrenal Glands Are Overloaded

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The Adrenal Glands

You have two organs, no bigger than the size of a thumb, located just above the kidneys. These tiny things are called the adrenal glands. Despite their diminutive nature, the adrenal glands assist in the production of more than 50 hormones that impact every function of the body.

Among the various functions of the adrenal glands:

  • Regulation of blood pressure
  • Activating the stress response
  • Burning fat and proteins
  • Controlling blood sugar
  • Coordinating with the HPA axis (more on this later)
  • Producing cortisol

This last function, the manufacturing of cortisol – or, rather, the suppressed manufacturing of cortisol – can produce all sorts of health problems.

Various potential health conditions can result from overloaded adrenals. In this article, we’ll list possible signs of adrenal overload and, to wrap things up, the (natural) treatment and prevention of adrenal disorders.

Let’s get to it!

7 signs your adrenal glands are overloaded

“An overstimulation of the adrenal glands (or “adrenals”) by chronic stress over time could lead to an inconsistent level of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the bloodstream…” – draxe.com

 1. You always feel tired.

First, chronic fatigue is perhaps the most common symptom of adrenal overload. Fatigued adrenals cannot produce enough cortisol, which is a problem, as cortisol is partly responsible for feelings of alertness. A condition called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) mimics many symptoms of adrenal fatigue, which frequently leads to the latter being misdiagnosed as the former.

adrenal fatigue

2. You can’t handle stress.

The inability to handle stress is another very common sign of adrenal overload. Besides cortisol, the adrenals also release the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine. While these hormones often (rightly) bear the blame for too much stress, they allow the body to channel energy and focus during stressful situations. When our body is deprived of these critical hormones, it has a tough time relieving stress.

3. You drink too much caffeine.

Those with adrenal overload often drink caffeine in excess as a desperate measure to generate energy. This is entirely understandable, but the problem is that caffeine taxes the adrenal glands by activating the fight-or-flight response. While the java may serve as a temporary boost, it’s important to understand that the crash is often much worse. It’s a sharp double-edged sword, in other words.

4. You get sick more often.

Among its many benefits, cortisol helps to keep inflammation in check. As you know, too much inflammation hurts the immune system. Tut the problem here is that cortisol – in the later stages of adrenal fatigue – over-aggressively attacks free radicals and other unfamiliar bad guys that it finds. This can cause too much inflammation and, consequently, suppress the immune system. The result? You get sick more often.

5. You have problems falling asleep.

Rapidly transforming into a night owl is not a natural or healthy development. Here again, the cortisol abnormality rears its ugly head. In healthy individuals, cortisol levels are highest during the day and rapidly decline as the day progresses. Those with adrenal fatigue may experience more energy during the evening. This can lead to difficulties falling asleep, or even insomnia.

6. You crave salty snacks.

The adrenal glands encompass a cortex that works in cohort with the kidneys to monitor and correct fluid and mineral levels. This cortex produces a steroid that regulates the concentration of sodium in the blood. Depleted adrenal glands cannot produce enough of this steroid, and that is detected by the super-intelligent body. The body will signal to your brain that salt levels are low and that you should eat some salty foods to make up for it. It’s probably not a bad idea, either.

7. You suffer from brain fog.

Your brain cannot function optimally if it lacks the necessary energy. Out of all symptoms of adrenal fatigue, brain fog may just suck the worst. Why? Because literally everything that we do requires a heavy dose of brain activity. When energy is depleted, our brain is lethargic. This leads to lack of focus, memory problems, and poor decision-making.

Prevention and Treatment

As with every other medical condition, preventing adrenal overload through your diet is far easier than treating it. Fortunately, you can do many things to both ward off and fight the disorder. Consider these few:

  1. Manage your stress: Too much stress results in cortisol deficiency, which is the leading cause of adrenal fatigue. Try stress-relieving activities such as exercise and meditation. Yoga also serves as a great stress-reducer.
  2. Get some magnesium: Magnesium is one of the best nutrients for adrenal health. 80 percent of Americans are deficient in “Mg” – not a good thing considering that it boosts energy, reduces stress, improves sleep, and also supports the nervous system.
  3. Increase vitamin C intake: Adrenal overload can adversely affect the immune system, as mentioned. Getting your daily dose of “C” helps to strengthen this system. Try eating some citrus, dark green vegetables, berries, or broccoli.
  4. Increase vitamin Bs: B vitamins are crucial for adrenal health (and health in general). They fortify the stress response and naturally increase energy levels.
  5. Limit caffeine: Caffeine, while it can provide a nice temporary boost, activates the fight-or-flight mechanism. As a result, our adrenal glands are taxed further which can make any problem in this area worse. Try substituting a cup or two of java for some herbal tea.

https://youtu.be/lFdcCXmGpy4

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved
Sources:
https://draxe.com/3-steps-to-heal-adrenal-fatigue/
https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/natural-health/exhausted-10-ways-to-prevent-adrenal-fatigue-and-burnout/news-story/99759badc73c5577f614c197e66c7bce
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320111.php

Best Quotes About Love That Will Make You Fall In Love All Over Again

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“Love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire … The salvation of man is through love and in love.”

Viktor E. Frankl penned these quotes about love in his best-selling book, Man’s Search for Meaning, which has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and remains one of the most influential books of our time.

You may wonder how life’s meaning and purpose, often associated with wealth, fame, and fortune, have anything to do with love. After all, isn’t love all about romance and chocolate and date nights?

On some level, yes. Yet on a deeper level, it can be all of those things … and more. After all, as you may know, Frankl’s book includes his experience in a concentration camp. Not an obvious place to be singing the praises of love.

And yet sing he does, just as many of the best love quotes do. Because no matter how you look at it, love, the thought of love, and the pursuit of love, always seems to bring you through a journey of happiness. What is more, they inspire people to pen more quotes about love. Love may begin with the flutter of butterflies in your stomach and then grow into a fullness of your soul.

Enjoy some of the best love quotes for every type of love.

Love quotes can include the romantic kind of love such as these:

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives us a fairytale.” ~ Unknown

“It’s like, in that moment the whole universe existed just to bring us together.” ~ From Serendipity

“Our love is like the wind. I can’t see it, but I can feel it.” ~ From A Walk to Remember

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” ~ From Wuthering Heights

“It was always you.” ~ Unknown

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

The best thing in life is finding someone who knows all your flaws, mistakes, and weaknesses and still thinks you’re completely amazing.

Love quotes can address the deeper commitment of marriage:

“A strong marriage isn’t two people being strong at the same time. It’s two people taking turns being strong for each other.” ~ Unknown

“The successful marriage is not when you can live in peace with your wife, but when you can’t live in peace without her.” ~ Yasir Qadhi

“Marriage: Love is the reason. Lifelong friendship is the gift. Kindness is the cause. Til’ death do us part is the length.” ~ Fawn Weaver

“Marriage is a mosaic you build with your spouse. Millions of tiny moments that create your love story.” ~ Jennifer Smith

“Love is an ideal thing, marriage is a real thing.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“There are few things in life more beautiful than a couple in love and a marriage in full bloom.” ~ Fawn Weaver

“Marriage, like a submarine, is only safe if you get all the way inside.” ~ Frank Pittman

Quotes about love can be real, and funny:

“It’s the most maddening, beautiful, magical, horrible, painful, wonderful, joyous thing in the world, Love.” ~ Taylor Swift

“Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” ~ Maya Angelou

quotes about love

“I hate men. Never mind … He just texted back. False alarm.” ~ Unknown

“I think making love is the best form of exercise.” ~ Cary Grant

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” ~ Unknown

“We simply can’t abandon ship every time we encounter a storm. Real love is about weathering the terms of life together.” ~ Seth Adam Smith

Love quotes can be bigger than two people:

“Love is the beauty of the soul.” ~ Unknown

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ~ Mother Teresa

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. Love is not proud. It is not rude. It is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” ~ Corinthians 13:4-8

“When someone else’s happiness is your happiness, that is love.” ~ Unknown

“When you love what you have, you have everything you need.” ~ Unknown

“Loving someone is accepting them for who they were, who they are, and who they will be.” ~ Unknown

The best love quotes inspire your own love story. Take the love quotes that speak to your soul off the page and live them. When you look for signs of love, you will see it everywhere.

What are your favorite quotes about love?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=LCiUY7nnVxo

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Why Affirmations May Not Work (And What to Do If They Don’t)

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One of the biggest current trends in goal accomplishment is the practice of something called affirmations. A positive affirmation is a word or phrase repeated daily to help train the mind to think positively by directly influencing the sub-conscious part of the brain. This, in turn, is supposed to increase the likeliness of a person succeeding. Why? Because they begin to attract their desires to them without having to struggle as much as they normally would.

For the most part, research has shown that daily affirmations are highly effective when they are used correctly. But, for one reason or another, some people simply can’t get them to work. So it doesn’t take long for them to feel so defeated that they give up on trying to include them as part of their goal-accomplishment process. This only further delays their progress, though. If you have encountered this difficulty, you’ll want to read on.

Here, we share why daily affirmations don’t work for everyone (and what you should be doing instead)

Setting Too Many Goals at Once

Some people, when they begin to use affirmations, make a long list of all the things they want to accomplish. Then, they come up with a word or phrase to match each of them. In the morning, and throughout the day, they try to keep repeating the affirmations for all of these goals. The problem? There are just too many to focus on. They don’t have enough energy left to direct the sub-conscious mind towards accomplishing any of them.

It is recommended to start out with focusing on only a few goals at a time. Once you accomplish those, you can begin to work towards more of the things that you want in life.

create new goals - deal with mid life crisis

High Expectations of Perfection

No one is perfect. And it is impossible to do everything perfectly all the time. Those who have set incredibly high standards for themselves struggle to see this though. So even though they are making small strides towards their goals, all they can see is what they didn’t manage to accomplish.

To combat this type of negative thinking, start making a list of what steps have already been taken towards each of the goals. Take note of how many goals you have already completed. You may be surprised (and impressed) by the results.

Keeping Dated Goals

It is important that a person’s daily affirmations match their goals. That is why most experts recommend that people go through their personal goal-setting list every few months or so to create a new set of affirmations to match those goals. This will ensure that the sub-conscious mind stays focused on achieving the desired results.

Forgetting to Visualize

A person can’t just repeat affirmations and expect the magic to start happening right away. They have to see themselves already accomplishing it successfully. Connecting the imagination to the words that are being spoken activates more parts of the brain to work together to accomplish the desired results.

If you want to do this, you will find it helps to include pictures to go with each mantra.

affirmations

Not Acting

Some people claim that all a person has to do to accomplish their goals is think about them as if they have already been achieved. But you will never reach a goal or bring success into your life if you aren’t doing anything towards attaining it. For example, a person who wants to have their dream job can’t just think about it day after day. They have to fill out applications and go to job interviews too.

As you can see, to get a positive affirmation to work for you, you have to be willing to narrow down your goal list, not expect perfection, keep your goal list current, and use visualization along with your affirmations. Most importantly though, you have to apply actionable steps towards achieving your goals. It is also important to remember that it takes time to attract all the wonderful things that you want. So don’t get discouraged if a few weeks pass by with no results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apVYj7spM1I

References:
https://www.cmu.edu/homepage/health/2013/summer/benefits-of-self-affirmation.shtml
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/self-affirmation-enhances-performance-makes-us-receptive-to-our-mistakes.html
(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Amazing Quotes On Happiness That Can Change Your Mood Instantly

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These quotes on happiness can uplift your mood on a terrible day.

It is easy to be happy when things are going your way. When your child makes good grades, it is easy to be happy. When you get the promotion at work, it is easy to be happy. Once you reach a goal you have been working on for a long time, it is easy to be happy. It is when things don’t go your way that being happy is harder to achieve.

Happiness is a decision made daily. Studies show that 40% of happiness is from life circumstances that affect your emotions. Through it all you can choose your reaction. Choosing to be happy through difficult times takes a mental decision to see the good within the bad. It takes determination to choose happiness over other negative emotional choices.

Here are some quotes on happiness that will boost your mood:

Happiness quote

Best Happiness Quotes on Love

“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”
– George Sand

“Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.”
– H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

“If you want to have a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
– Albert Einstein

Quotes on Happiness in Daily Life

“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”
– Jim Rohn

“It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a very clear path to happiness.”
– Sheryl Sandberg

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
– Omar Khayyam

“I wish you joy and happiness. But above all of this, I wish you love.”
– Dolly Parton

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”
– Denis Waitley

“Some days are just bad days, that’s all. You have to experience sadness to know happiness, and I remind myself that not every day is going to be a good day, that’s just the way it is!”
– Dita Von Teese

The Best Happiness Quotes on Friendship

“Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness.”
– Euripides

“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
– Jim Morrison

“The most important thing is to enjoy life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.”
– Audrey Hepburn

“A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.”
– William Arthur Ward

Quotes on Happiness and Wisdom

“Our happiness depends on wisdom all the way.”
– Sophocles

“If you want to be happy, be.”
– Leo Tolstoy

“If your happiness is contingent on someone else changing their behavior, then you are playin yo’self, henny.”
– RuPaul Charles

“The secret to happiness is freedom…And the secret to freedom is courage.”
-Thycydides

Happiness Quotes on Making the Decision

“Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions; it is governed by our mental attitude.”
– Dale Carnegie

“I do believe that if you haven’t learnt about sadness, you cannot appreciate happiness.”
– Nana Mouskouri

Quotes on Happiness and Being Grateful

“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.”
– James E. Faust

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”
– J. Jackson Brown, Jr.

struggles in life

Final Thoughts

These quotes on happiness will fortify you to choose to be happy. It is truly a choice, a decision we make daily. Through ups and downs, our emotions emerge instinctively. It is when our mind thinks through the situation that we can choose our emotions that will remain. This choice is powerful.

Reading happiness quotes reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. They remind us that others before us have faced the same situations in life. These quotes on happiness from well-known figures help you understand that life happens. Choosing to be happy won’t happen unless you actually choose it.

How Healthy Self Criticism Can Make You Strong

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Self-perception is a tricky ship. Too much positivity can mask underlying issues, while too much negativity can crater your self-confidence and make you feel like you’re not worthy of success. When making criticisms of your own work or accomplishments, it’s important to do so objectively and fairly.

A healthy dose of self criticism is important for personal development, however, since it allows you to grow in ways you may not have thought of before. Most people are too scared of criticism – either self criticism or otherwise – but if you can stand up to the heat, you’ll gain a variety of benefits that will make you a stronger person in the process.

Here’s why self-criticism can make you stronger:

1. It Makes You a Better Listener.

People who are always critical of themselves (within reason) generally are better listeners, since they’re always on the lookout for feedback as to how they’re doing. They invite other people to examine them, ask questions, and build on the feedback that they have received. In turn, this makes them better leaders, since they’re open to accepting criticism from people that they work over.

2. It Lets You Constantly Improve.

We all have areas that we can improve upon, but most of us never find them because we tend to avoid criticism. Allowing yourself to be open to what other people see inside of you can help you get better in ways you may not be aware of directly, such as in your casual conversations or in the way you carry yourself. People will begin to perceive you as someone who is easy to talk to and open to suggestions, which will make them more willing to help you.

positive-quote

3. It Keeps Your Ego in Check.

Nothing helps keep pride at a reasonable level like a healthy dose of criticism. People who embrace suggestions and critiques on their life and work are generally aware of the fact that they have areas they need to improve on anyway, so they don’t overly exalt themselves to a position that they can never be pushed from. They’re constantly evolving and constantly growing because they realize there’s always someone better than them out there.

4. It Helps You Be Adventurous.

People who invite criticism into their lives already live in worlds of uncertainty. Everything about their life is more or less a risk, so what do they have to lose if they go after something more daring and fail? They already accept that they probably won’t be the best right out of the gate, but they try anyways because they realize that growth is a process. People who avoid criticism tend not to do that; they have their own lives and areas of expertise, and they see no reason to step outside of that.

5. It Helps You Enjoy the Process.

If you’re goal-oriented, it can be easy to look at life as a pass-fail proposition: you either succeed or you don’t and there’s very little (if any) room in between. People who are critical of their lives realize that there are a lot of gray areas – some things are better, while some things aren’t, so they learn to enjoy the process of growing more than simply attaining a prize.

6. It Helps You Stay Inspired.

The people who succeed are the ones who are able to look back on their life and be inspired by the progress that they’ve made. The ability to constantly grow and constantly improve your situation comes only after a realistic understanding of who you are and where you’ve been, which should be inspiring to you as you reflect. Change is a part of life, and the sooner we embrace that the sooner we begin to inspire ourselves by what we’ve done. As Steve Jobs famously said in his 2005 Commencement address at Stanford: “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” Are you willing to be foolish?

7. It Keeps Hateful People at Bay.

Negative people are everywhere, and all of us will experience a dose of hatefulness by people at various points in our life. But whether what they’re pointing out is true or not, being critical of your own life allows you to more fully see where they’re right, and more importantly, where they’re wrong. Hate won’t affect you as much as long as you’re already aware of the fact that you need to improve, and being objective about your own weaknesses will help you sift through the criticism of others.

Closing Thoughts

It’s tempting to simply believe the best about yourself and avoid any kind of criticism whatsoever, but keep in mind that the strongest people choose to admit their faults honestly and openly, allowing themselves to grow in the process.

Those that don’t never last long. After all, if they’re perfect already, what else is there to do?

Are You A Hopeless Romantic? Here’s Why It’s Perfectly Okay

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You believe in love boldly and fearlessly. Daydreaming of your perfect love, there’s no second option for you when it comes to your dream lover. While the more pragmatic among us may look at hopeless romantics and laugh, the truth is that if any of us hope to make our love work, it’s the hopeless romantics that will win the day.

Love and the Hopeless Romantic: Why it Works

“People don’t write songs about being compatible or novels about shared life goals and stimulating conversation. The great loves are the crazy ones.” – Gossip Girl

Don’t let the others get you down: you’re a hopeless romantic, and that’s okay. You have high expectations for love and you really enjoy believing in it. While others may warn you that no one will be able to meet your expectations, don’t stop believing. Here are six reasons why you should keep the faith:

Signs you are a hopeless romantic

girlfriend

1. Hopeless Romantics Celebrate All of the Little Things

Hopeless romantics are likely the most hopeful people on this planet. You get excited at all of the possibilities that could happen in life and in love. Whether it’s a smile from a kind stranger on the street or a text from your significant other, taking the time to revel in little joys each day is a sign of positivity and strength.

2. Stronger Romantic Beliefs Lead to a More Fulfilled Love Life

Hopeless romantics tend to go big when it comes to their idea of romantic love. While cynics may call this wishful thinking, for hopeless romantics, strong romantic beliefs are more likely to lead to a more fulfilled relationship and love life.

The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships conducted a study to explore the effects of partners’ romantic beliefs on their relationships. The study found that though unmet expectations could be attributed to lower satisfaction in a relationship, the partners who held strong romantic beliefs were more likely to be satisfied with their expectations as well as their partner’s actions and behavior.

romantic quotes

3. Being a Romantic Means You Know What They Want

“I think the perfection of love is that it’s not perfect.” – Taylor Swift

There’s nothing wrong with daydreaming about your ideal partner or relationship. In fact, fantasizing about exactly what you hope for in life will allow you to determine what you truly want in a partner.

While you’ll never find a “perfect” person, you can still be hopelessly romantic and find someone that is perfect for you. Of course, there will be flaws and setbacks in any relationship, but don’t let that stop you from dreaming for and going after what you really want.

4. As a Hopeless Romantic, You Don’t Settle

A hopeless romantic knows the difference between settling for the next opportunity that comes your way and holding out hope for the great love of your life. Hopeless romantics wait for what they want. They know what it looks like and what it should feel like, so they fight to find that special love.

Of course, it can be tempting to go the easy route and settle into another average relationship. While this may abate temporary feelings of loneliness, in the end, you’ll realize that your soul longs for more.

5. Hopeless Romantics are Some of the Most Honest People You’ll Meet

Hopeless romantics believe in love so strongly that they are honest to a fault and have nothing to hide, especially their true feelings. They are always open and ready to be vulnerable, even if it means getting hurt. While this can be aggravating, it also means that you’ll never stop looking for your own hopeless romantic partner until you feel whole and complete.

6. There’s No Holding Back for a Hopeless Romantic

While others may tell you that the reason you always get hurt is that you fall too fast or too hard, the truth is that loving strongly is your superpower. When you find the right hopeless romantic partner, all the love you’ve longed to give will be well received and will make all the heartache and waiting worth it.

Final Thoughts: A Love for the Ages

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” – Moulin Rouge

Being a hopeless romantic is all about embracing your true self and sharing that freely with the world. Being a lover at heart is as much about loving yourself as it is about loving another, so don’t let anyone dim your light or tell you that you’re too much.

Let these words of loving wisdom inspire to keep pushing and holding on to hope. Love has the ability to transform you. Why would you settle for anything less than extraordinary?

7 Foods to Avoid If You’re Suffering From Inflammation

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A lot of the foods you enjoy eating have been salted, sweetened, processed, and refined in different ways. While this might help food taste better and last longer, it could also be the reason you’re suffering from inflammation constantly. Inflammation, which manifests as body pain or swelling, can limit your ability to physically function. And when your body isn’t in the best shape, you can’t also muster a positive outlook. You can, however, make a conscious choice of staying away from unhealthy foods to lessen those negative symptoms.

Here Are 7 Foods You Should Avoid If You’re Suffering from Inflammation

“Lower your body’s burden of toxic chemicals, and you’ll turn down the flame another notch.” – Dr. Kellyann Petrucci

1. Fried foods

Yummy fried chicken and French fries are easy to prepare. These food choices are also always on the menu at most restaurants and fast food chains, so you can have it anytime. Fried foods are also comfort foods for some, but surely, you’ve heard how many doctors and health experts say these aren’t healthy.  Fried foods contain advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that trigger inflammation and accelerate the aging of the cells. Most fried foods are also cooked in trans fats (hydrogenated oils) like butter, lard, or palm oil that cause major inflammation.

A study from 2009 at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine proved that inflammation significantly decreased among a group of people who limited their intake of processed and fried foods for four months. They also experienced the restoration of their body’s immune system. If you can’t help eating fried foods, some experts suggest using healthy fat for frying these foods, such as peanut oil or olive oil. You might also want to switch to an air fryer instead of a deep fryer to cut down on the fat content.

2. White bread

Regular white bread contains refined carbohydrates and sugar. These are two food components that trigger inflammation. Our bodies apparently break down white bread faster than the whole-wheat variety, which sets off the blood sugar levels. This, then, causes an insulin spike that leads to inflammation.

If you like eating bread, experts recommend switching to the wheat and gluten-free kinds because these have no sugar and/or flour. These types of bread are also rich in fiber, which aids in your body’s digestion. In the same way, it’s also best to avoid pizza, tortillas, pretzels, pasta, and bagels made with refined flours.

3. Dairy

Milk might be good for the bones because it is rich in calcium. Yogurt, on the other hand, supposedly helps with inflammation because of its probiotic component. But milk and yogurt, as well as other dairy products like cream cheese and processed cheese, contain saturated fats that can cause inflammation. An excessive intake of these foods could worsen your swelling and pain. The key, therefore, is to consume dairy products in moderation.

If you feel a headache or other symptoms of inflammation kicking in after eating dairy foods, then it might be good to cut down on these for a while. If you’re worried about losing a calcium source because you have to reduce your milk intake, then take heart in this research from the British Medical Journal. It cited that there is no direct correlation between decreased milk consumption to bone fractures, especially in women.

4. Soda

While technically a drink, most people love to have a can or glass of ice-cold soda with their meals or snacks. But did you know that one can of a soft drink is enough to cause inflammation? Even soda filled with artificial sweeteners or “diet” drinks aren’t healthy, according to a study in the journal Nature. Soda, including the kind with artificial sweeteners, apparently raises the body’s glucose intolerance. When the body cannot properly digest and metabolize glucose, it releases more inflammatory substances that the cells secrete.

5. Fatty meat

Fatty meat has all the flavors and could be rich in protein but these types of food are also major inflammation triggers. Consuming burgers, ribs, hotdogs, and bacon regularly can lead to chronic health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. For a healthier choice, enjoy omega-3-rich meats instead – such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna. You can also acquire protein in a healthy way from beans, nuts, and soya.

6. Canned soup

Stocking up on canned soup in the kitchen might be convenient because you can use them in meal preparation at any time. But canned goods contain a lot of preservatives, including the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). Homemade soup is much better than canned soup, but if it takes you too much time to prepare every meal, why not cook a batch and store it in the freezer? Store your frozen, homemade soup in smaller containers so you can heat a few cups when needed.

Similarly, avoid pretty much any type of canned foods if you want to limit symptoms of inflammation. Processed foods are filled with chemicals that trigger the cells to always be on “attack,” and this is why your body starts to pain and swell.

7. Alcohol

A glass of wine might be helpful because it contains flavonoids. This is an antioxidant that has an anti-inflammatory effect. Too much alcohol intake, however, will bring about the opposite effect. Alcoholic drinks have toxic ingredients that promote inflammation, lower your body’s immunity, and damage your organs. Experts always advise to drink moderately. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is one glass for women and two glasses for men per day.inflammation

Final thoughts

Inflammation can lead to allergies, asthma, sinusitis, arthritis, and other types of joint pains. Consider changing your diet if you’re prone to develop these conditions. A little positive thinking and a change in diet is all you need to lead a healthier lifestyle!

https://youtu.be/yG-G9_LOkLA

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3704564/
https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2009/study-shows-that-reducing-processed-and-fried-food-intake-lowers-related-health-risks-and-restores-bodys-defenses
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25619624
https://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6015
https://dx.doi.org/10.3389%2Ffphys.2017.00487
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-9/
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