Well it's a brand new year and a great time to start some new habits if you are you looking to improve your life, get healthier and feel better. Did you know, it only takes small changes to make a difference? Here are ten easy habits you can adopt this year for a happier, healthier, and even potentially a longer life.

1. Get into the habit of drinking more water everyday. Not only because water is good for you but because you'll find that when you drink more water you'll drink less soda or other sugary drinks. Don't be fooled, diet drinks aren't any better because they're chock full of artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Try herbal, green and regular tea if you want to add some flavor to your water. Here are Seven Reasons Why You Should Drink Water.

2. Go for a walk or get some exercise at least three times a week, more often if you can. Did you know that adding exercise to your day can add years to your life? Don't worry, you don't have to run a marathon or become an iron man triathlete either. Simply get in the habit of walking for 30 minutes a day, it is an excellent start. The big plus is you'll look, feel and sleep better.

3. Try to reduce the stress in your life. While some stress can be healthy, it can also affect our health in a very negative way. It affects our immune system, our ability to sleep and to digest our food properly. So, if you're looking for just one thing you can do better for yourself and your health this year, it would be to find methods of reducing your stress.

4. Get into the habit of eating more fruits and vegetables everyday. It goes without saying that eating your fruits and veggies is good for your health. Start by adding one extra serving of fruits and veggies to your day and add another once it becomes a habit. Watkins Fruit and Veggie Complex is another easy way to add the goodness of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet.

5. Get in the habit of avoiding saturated fat and choose healthier oils. Trim all the visible fat off meat before cooking by grilling, baking or roasting. Using Watkins Grapeseed oils is a healthier alternative for your cooking and salads and may even help reduce cholesterol levels. When you eat out, instead of ordering a burger or a steak, consider chicken or fish. Avoid fried or deep fried foods.

6. Get in the habit of eating more fish each week. Did you know that fish oil and omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in our bodies? It may help reduce cholesterol and help protect your brain against degenerative diseases. No fish and chips doesn't count, see # 5 above!

7. Reduce the amount of sugar you eat. Sugar causes a rapid rise in blood sugar and a general feeling of well being. It also causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and a feeling of no energy. Then you eat more sugar and the cycle repeats itself. This roller coaster of sugar highs and lows wreaks havoc on your body. The solution, eat less sugar and if you do choose to have a sugary snack, eat it along with a protein so your body's metabolism remains more stable.

8. Get in the habit of taking your daily vitamins. A well balanced diet is excellent; however taking a multi vitamin adds little extra insurance. Try Watkins SuperFood Multiple, it's an easy thing to add to your daily routine.

9. Visit your doctor for an annual check up. Make a list of questions or concerns you have before you go so you don't forget to ask about them. Ask if there are regular tests you should be taking to test for hereditary illnesses or any preventative measures that are appropriate to your age? Cancer screenings are the most common. And when was the last time you saw your dentist? Your oral health can affect your entire body. So, it's important that you see your doctor and dentist at least once this year.

10. Last but not least, smile! Did you know that smiling reduces stress and puts you in a positive frame of mind? It can have a positive affect on the people around you as well. It's a scientifically proven fact that stress has a direct effect on how healthy a person is. So smile, you'll be glad you did!

If you adopt even one of these habit this year you'll feel better for it. If you can't do them all at once, why not add a new one each month? By the end of the year you will have attained ten easy habits for a happier and healthier new you.

If you are like me, you’ve probably heard how important calcium is to keep your bones strong and healthy. What you may not know is that calcium plays a roll in producing a regular heart beat, conducting nerve impulses, stimulating hormone secretions, and clotting blood. It has even been found to help some people lose weight. We may know we need calcium to maintain good health, but chances are you’re not getting enough; particularly if you are a woman.

While your best option for getting calcium is through a healthy balanced diet including dairy products and green vegetables; you can also take a calcium supplement to ensure that you’re getting enough. The first choice you need to make when in comes to calcium supplements is determining what compound you want to take. The mineral calcium is not found by itself in foods; it’s bonded to other molecules. Different compounds are just calcium being bonded with different molecules.


Calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate have very high calcium concentrations; however, calcium phosphate may not be absorbed into your system as well. Calcium citrate is the most bioavailable form of calcium, this means it is the easiest compound to absorb. Watkins Osteogen combines natural calcium citrate with vitamin D, boron and other bone-building vitamins and minerals to enhance your calcium absorption and help prevent the loss of calcium from your bones. Take calcium citrate with your meal especially if you produce a lot of stomach acid. If this supplement makes you gassy or bloated, try starting at a lower dosage and working your way up to three caplets per day.

Not all brand names are created equal:

No matter what compound you choose, be sure to check the label to make sure you’ll be getting enough elemental calcium (calcium by itself) to suit your needs.

If you are taking another brand of calcium pills, drop one into a warm glass of water and let it sit for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the pill has not completely dissolved within the 30 minute time period, it is probably not being completely absorbed by your body and you should find another brand.

Don’t purchase supplements containing natural ingredients that haven’t been purified. They may contain dangerous metals that could make you sick. The worst offenders that you should watch out for are oyster shells, dolomite, and bonemeal.

Isn't it nice to know, if you don't like milk and broccoli you can still keep your body healthy and strong with Watkins Osteogen?

I love going for my daily walks and I've learned that you want to find the best walking shoes to fit your foot. What's right for my feet might not be right for yours as everyone feet are different. Choosing the right walking shoe is essential in preventing injuries, pain and other foot problems.

Start out by taking inventory of your shoes. How many pairs do you have that are really comfortable for walking? One or two? Buying a pair of the latest styles might be fashionable, but can you honestly wear them all day without hobbling around in pain? Years ago, a good pair of walking shoes could only be found in one style which was not at all flattering. Today, however, you have a wide variety of good walking shoes to choose from, and it is in your best interest to keep your feet healthy by selecting the appropriate walking shoe.

Some of the types of shoes which you can choose are those that are shaped like your feet, they provide arch support and more toe room. When you wear tight shoes, you run the risk of bunions, blisters, calluses, and a host of other conditions which can make your life down right miserable.

According to leading podiatrists, your shoes should be comfortable. You should be able to wiggle your toes, and the shoes should have a sole that flexes at the ball of your foot. They also say, it is important to wear the proper size. If the shoes you want are a bit too small, leave them at the store, no matter how nice they look the end result, will be pain.

Have your feet sized every time you go to the shoe store. Changes occur to our feet as we get older, or as our weight changes, their size and shape can become more pronounced.

The next time you are sitting down, and you suddenly find you’ve taken off your shoes because they are killing your feet, this may be a reminder to visit a good shoe store. They will not only measure your feet, but provide you with the best walking shoes to fit your feet, in comfort and style!

I've lived with allergies and asthma my entire life so I've learned a few tricks and tips to make life easier. One of the most common ways to control your allergies is to simply avoid whatever it is you are allergic to. Stay indoors during pollen season, avoid animals and do not eat foods you are allergic to, but the one thing you really can't avoid dust. House dust is a common allergen, it may contain mites, animal dander, pollen, mold, residue from cleaning products and fibers from fabrics.

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that are the primary cause of dust allergies. It is actually the excrement of these mites that people are allergic to. Dust is everywhere, and not just where you can see it either. You can clean and dust all your want, but there's still millions of dust mites lurking in your home. The key to staying healthy is to know how to get rid of them.

Here are some tips to help you out:

Choose lino, tile or hardwood flooring, it may be expensive, but they are a whole lot better for your health. Carpets are a great place for dust mites to hide out and vacuuming does little to rid you of the problem. If you can't get rid of the carpet in your home, use a hepa filtered vacuum and a steam cleaner regularly. You can have hard flooring with area rugs, simply choose ones that can easily be washed or steam cleaned to remove dust.

You spend nearly one third of your life in your bedroom so it's important to keep it as dust free as possible. Just like your carpet, mattresses are a great place for dust and mites to hide. Since you probably can't afford to replace your mattress all the time, look for specialized allergy covers for your mattress. While you are at it get some of these covers for your pillows too.

Now, your mattress and pillows aren't the only place in your bed that dust and mites like to live. They can also accumulate in your sheets, blankets and comforters. That's why it is important to wash all your bedding in hot water at least once a week. Use a comforter made from an easy to care for synthetic material rather than down or other natural fibers.

If you have pets keep them out of your bedroom, they shed hair and dander, not to mention the dirt they track in from out doors which just adds to the problem.

Invest in a good quality air filter system. There is a number of brands of special filters on the market that remove dust and other allergens out of the air you breathe. They may cost more, but they're certainly well worth it if you are allergic to house dust. Most people know you're supposed to change you home's air filters every three months, but that doesn't mean they do. Mark it on your calendar so that you don't forget to change the air filter regularly.

Those little knick knacks all over your house may look nice, but they can collect dust. Books and dried flowers are the worst. Try to reduce the number of items you have displayed and choose decorations that are easy to dust or clean.

Dust and clean with something that actually picks up the dust and keeps it on the duster. Traditional dusters and cloths usually just push dust around and release it back into the air, try a static cleaner or use a damp cloth. This way you know you are getting rid of dust not just moving it back into the air so it can land somewhere else.

What type of cleaning products are you using? They affect your health and the health of your children too. In fact, the statistics are staggering. So staggering that scientists and physicians have come to the conclusion that the rise in asthma and allergies in our society is a direct result of household cleaners and the toxins in our environment. Now is a great time to switch to all-natural cleaning products.

These tips might seem like they require a lot of work and maybe a bit of money, but the results will be worth it. You will feel an improvement in your health and that is well worth the effort and expense.

You only get one set, and they need to last you a life time. It's an embarrassing subject but you need to know how important it is for you to perform regular breast self exams. Many women depend on using mammograms as their only line of defense when it comes to breast cancer detection, but mammograms are only one part of a variety of detection methods and should not be used alone. So, for proper breast care, you should be performing regular breast self exams and getting breast exams from you doctor. In addition, you may also require extra screening, including a digital mammogram.

Your first mammogram is usually given at around age 40. However, it is common for women to develop breast cancer before that age and it tends to spread faster in younger women. That's why it's important for you to perform regular breast self exams and get breast exams from a medical professional.

Did you know that most breast health issues are first discovered through breast self exams, not mammograms? One reason is because they can be done more often. Also, because you get to know what your breasts are supposed to look and feel like, you can notice changes more readily and you can catch problems sooner.

You should start doing self exams around age 18 and continue performing them once a month, the week after your period. The more often you do them, the more likely you'll be to notice a problem.

The first step in a BSE is to look at your breasts in the mirror. Look for dimpling of the skin, changes in color and texture of the skin, changes in the nipple, and any secretions. Then, you should feel your breasts, looking for lumps that appear and don't disappear, or grow and change with time.

While doing a monthly breast exam will help you know your own body better, you're still not a medical professional. You should have an exam by a doctor starting around age 18 or 20 and every 2 to 3 years after that. This is a great second line of defense against breast cancer.

An easy way to take care of breast exams is with your annual pap smear. Many doctors perform breast exam when you come in for your pelvic. This is a great way to ensure you're getting checked early and often. It's also an opportune time to ask questions about self exams or general breast health.

In addition to these traditional methods, a new technology, called the digital mammogram, is now being used as another weapon in the fight against breast cancer. The methods used in taking a digital mammogram are essentially the same, except that the results can be viewed immediately instead of having to wait for film to develop. This is often used in finding the specific spot of a growth so they can take a biopsy. Faster results mean that the procedure can be done more quickly and with less pain or discomfort.

Remember, if you want to have proper protection against breast cancer, you need to do monthly self exams and have regular breast exams along with your regular mammograms. You are worth it!

Do you suffer with persistent pain throughout your body? Are you overwhelmed by fatigue? And suffering from depression? Has your doctor run tests but can't seem to find out what's wrong with you? You may be suffering from a disease called fibromyalgia. This is a chronic condition that causes pain throughout the body, along with other inconvenient and sometime debilitating symptoms.

While only a small percentage of the population has fibromyalgia, the occurrence of this disease is significantly higher in women, with the majority of cases occurring in your late 30's, all the way into your 50's.

The signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia:

The central symptom of fibromyalgia is musculoskeletal pain. It is generally widespread throughout the muscles, tendons and ligaments throughout the body. This includes areas on both sides of the body and above and below the waist. It may be more prominent in the neck, shoulders, back, and hips.

While pain can occur at any time, it is usually worse in the morning when you first wake up. Pain and other symptoms occur in episodes. An episode must last at least 3 months before you maybe diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

In addition to generalized pain, a person with fibromyalgia will also experience intense pain when certain parts of the body are pressed firmly. When a doctor examines you for fibromyalgia, they will press on 18 different points on the body. To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you should have pain or tenderness in 11 of these pressure points.

Sleep studies show that women with fibromyalgia patients tend to have burst of activity in their brain intermittently during stage 4 sleep. This is when your body normally rests and regenerates itself physically. Even though you seem to be getting enough sleep, your body probably isn't getting the right kind of rest.

Lack of proper sleep causes fibromyalgia patients to experience moderate to severe fatigue. Fatigue can be so bad that some doctors hypothesize fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and not only related, but possibly the same disease. Lack of proper sleep can also cause other symptoms, including poor memory, lack of concentration, and anxiety.

Another common symptom of fibromyalgia is depression. This is not only due to constant stress from chronic pain, but also from lack of proper sleep. Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia and depression are so similar, your doctor should screen you for both in order to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Many women with fibromyalgia are also diagnosed with IBS or have some other intestinal problem. They may experience diarrhea, constipation, pain, or bloating. Watkins Peptic Pre-Meal may help with this, it's a blend of pure vegetable enzymes and herbs which eases the digestive process and offers a natural solution for occasional indigestion. Can be taken anytime from 15 minutes prior to 15 minutes after a meal…even at mealtime, for your ultimate convenience.

While these are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, you may experience other problems. Women with fibromyalgia also report: headaches, numbness, dizziness, and sensitivity to stimuli such as sound, touch, smell, or even the weather.

Treatments vary according to your symptoms. Some people find that using Watkins liniment helps as a treatment for their pain. This provides a safe, natural therapy for fibromyalgia which has the added benefit of being drug free.

Tell your doctor if you suspect you have fibromyalgia, they will likely run a battery of tests to rule out other disorders before they will actually provide a diagnosis. By being knowledgeable of this disease, you can recognize symptoms as they appear or worsen. Since there is no definitive test for fibromyalgia, knowing what's wrong can help you and your doctor more efficiently diagnose and treat your problem.

The American Medical Association now says that normal blood pressure readings for a healthy adult should be 120/80. This figure was lowered from what used to considered within normal range for systolic and diastolic pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension in men is a serious and often fatal disease. Just as water pumped into a pipe exerts pressure on its surface, your heart pumps blood through your arteries, and the force of the blood flow exerts pressure on the arterial walls. Therefore, just as too much water pressure is bad for the life of a pipe, too much blood pressure eventually damages your arteries. High blood pressure can lead to heart failure; kidney failure; or stroke.

The combination of hypertension and being overweight increases the chances of developing one or more conditions. In fact, the older you are, the more likely you will develop hypertension unless you take steps to prevent it. If you are overweight when you are young, you may develop hypertension at an earlier age. However, it has been suggested that hypertension is also inherited, which doesn't help the situation either.

The scary thing is that you may not even realize you have this condition, as the symptoms do not reveal themselves. However, you should assume you are a candidate for hypertension if you are over 40; if there is a history of this condition in your family; and you are overweight.

Here's what every man should know about hypertension:

While smoking is not a cause of hypertension, it certainly is a contributing factor. We know there is a definite link between smoking and heart disease, thus the combination of smoking and high blood pressure increases the risk of developing a heart attack. Quit smoking!

The first thing you need to do if you are in any way susceptible to this condition is to reduce or remove sodium from your diet. High salt intake increases this condition as well.

Being overweight is another cause of hypertension. It is important to find an appropriate diet regimen and exercise program to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. While there may be a connection between weight and hypertension, research reveals people who are at their ideal weight have less tendency to develop hypertension than those who are overweight.

Type A personalities may be more prone to hypertension than others. Stress is evident in our lives every day; but the key is to not let it take over your life. While we all work hard and try to live comfortably, the pressure to succeed rapidly is taking its toll, physically, emotionally and mentally. It is also a contributing factor to hypertension. If you have a highly stressed job, or find that you cannot fill the demands placed upon you, you might want to find another job that is not so stressful. If this is not an option; use meditation to maintain an inner balance. Don't sweat the small stuff. Your health is more important than any job.

Try not to drink alcohol in excessive amounts. Alcohol increases blood pressure and if you are taking medication; the two can cause severe side effects. Recently, however, an eminent heart surgeon suggested that a glass of red wine a day is preferred for a healthy heart. The debate continues, and while it does, it seems that wine instead of other alcoholic beverages may yield the best results.

Have your blood pressure checked at least once a month, and avoid stress.

Whether it's your job; money problems; smoking; overweight; alcohol; and other social and psychological factors which may contribute to the condition, it is important to understand it is not a curable disease, nor one which is tangible. Also keep in mind; hypertension is not exclusive to any one group. It affects people from all walks of life. To what degree it can cause damage to your heart, kidneys and brain depends on its severity.

If you find that you have taken every precaution and your blood pressure is still high, your doctor may prescribe medication only if he or she feels it is absolutely necessary. Some of the drugs have side effects, while others can be tolerated. While on any type of medication, do not fall under the assumption that because you may feel better you can stop taking the drugs. This is a dangerous scenario as mentioned earlier; hypertension is a symptom-less disease.

If you follow a proper diet that does not contain sodium; if you alter your lifestyle in order to ease the stress and other factors which contribute to hypertension, it can be controlled. Nothing in life is more important than your health; certainly nothing to cause physical or psychological elements which can raise your blood pressure. Hypertension in men is prevalent; yet over fifty percent of men do not realize they have the condition. Take care of your health and it will take care of you.

What does your future hold? Your own home based business? Watkins is a company with a rich history full of firsts, a leader in health and wellness and has had the goal of enhancing lives since 1868. We are very proud of our heritage, but we don't live in the past. This means you can trust our product line to continue to evolve and represent the needs of today’s sophisticated consumers.

Enjoy the movie!



Watkins has a long standing reputation for product excellence and business integrity.

Because Watkins is so well known there is a real need for more associates as countless consumers are searching the internet for Watkins products and a distributor every day. Join us and enjoy the freedom, and flexibility to choose how you want to run your home based business with many marketing method options to fit virtually any lifestyle including yours.

Does this sound like it might be a good fit for you? If so request a free information package or join us now.

Have you noticed that more and more restaurants, bars, stores, and even entire cities have banned smoking in public buildings? If you are a smoker you probably think it's a pain but the reason is simple, it's because we now know that you can not only die from smoking cigarettes, but also from breathing in smoke in the air around us. Second hand smoke, whether from the burning end of the cigarette, or from a smoker exhaling, can be a serious hazard to your health.

Here's what everybody ought to know about second hand smoke:

Did you know that second hand smoke contains over 60 chemicals that cause or may cause cancer? Thousands of non-smokers die of lung cancer every year, thought to be caused from second hand smoke.

Did you know that some of the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke are: formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chlorine, arsenic ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide? Sounds pretty awful!

Did you know that second hand smoke causes heart disease in non-smokers? Heart disease accounts for tens of thousands of deaths every year.

Did you know that non-smokers often visit the doctor for lung related problems caused by second hand smoke? These problems range from coughing, respiratory infections to a decrease in lung functioning.

Did you know that pregnant women exposed to second hand smoke are more likely to have babies with below average birth weights?

Did you know that the incidence of breast cancer may be increased by exposure to second hand smoke?

If you are an adult you generally have the option or ability to leave the room or an area where someone is smoking. However, children don't usually have that luxury and they are more susceptible to the damage caused by cigarette smoke.

Here's what everybody ought to know about second hand smoke that specifically affects children:

Did you know that second hand smoke causes over 150,000 lower respiratory infections every year, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, in children under the age of 18 months?

Did you know that second hand smoke has been indicated as a cause of many SIDS deaths?

Did you know that second hand smoke significantly increases the severity of asthma attacks in children?

Did you know that second hand smoke causes many children to develop ear infections?

Set a good example for your children, don't allow anyone to smoke near your children, including yourself. Subjecting them to smoking can not only cause health problems now but it can impact their health all the way through to adulthood. You are an important role model for your children so you should attempt to quit for their sake. I know how hard it is to do, if you can't quit, at least try to go outside to smoke.

These are just some of the known problems associated with second hand smoke. Tabacco companies have known for many years that both smoking and second hand smoke is dangerous, but they kept this information to themselves. Don't you think it's rather disturbing to think what other consequences second hand smoke causes that we haven't found yet?

Proctect yourself from second hand smoke, if you are a smoker, please try to quit or smoke outdoors to lessen your own exposure. If someone you know smokes near you, encourage them to quit or ask them not to smoke when they're with you or your children.

Remember when you were a kid, when you were thirsty did your mother tell you to have a glass of water? Well your Mother was right, she knew water is good for you! We have such a wide variety of beverages to chose from these days; flavored sodas, fruit juices, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other drinks. With so much readily available, it's not easy to make the right decision and choose plain, ordinary water. Here are 7 great reasons why you should drink more water.

Do you think you can't get through the day without your morning cup of coffee and caffeine boost? Well water can give you energy as well. Your body is made up mostly of water and it loses it throughout the day. You need to replace it for your body to work efficiently; particularly your heart and digestive tract.

Why not drink diet soda or coffee all day? These drinks contain caffeine, since caffeine is a diuretic it actually causes you to lose water throughout the day. You retain some of the water content of these beverages, but not as much as when you drink pure water. You can try decaffeinated beverages, but the best way to use the water you drink is to get it pure and clean, with no chemicals added.

Water keeps your skin looking great, when your skin looks tired and unhealthy, so do you. Staying properly hydrated removes all the toxins that build up in you skin, and helps prevent it from drying out. If you have the opposite problem; puffy bloated skin, lack of water is likely your problem too. When your skin doesn't get enough water, it retains what it already has, leaving your skin cells full, puffy, and not too attractive. If you want to look beautiful, you need to keep yourself well hydrated.

When you are properly hydrated, your blood is thinner and it's easier for your heart to pump. This means your heart has to do less work and ultimately lasts longer. The good news is, studies have shown that people who drink plenty of water have fewer heart problems.

You have toxins in your cells, some come from the environment and others you produce yourself. Either way, they are in your body and you need to get rid of them. Your body uses water to flush out toxins so, getting rid of this waste helps you function more effectively and feel better.

Fruit juices may contain many nutrients, but they also contain a whole lot of sugar. This is especially true for many bottled juices from the grocery store. This sudden burst of sugar triggers your insulin response and makes you feel tired and sluggish. It also helps to convert that sugar to fats faster. Sugary sodas will produce the same reaction and they usually contain no nutrients at all.

Water is cheap, unless you buy bottled water, which is almost as expensive as soda and juice. However, studies have shown that tap water is usually as clean and safe as bottled water, and costs a whole lot less. If you don't like the taste of your tap water, buy a filter pitcher or one that attaches to the faucet. It will still costs a lot less in the long run.

As mentioned above, water helps your body work better by getting rid of excess waste. The more efficiently your whole body is works, the better you'll feel and the more energy you'll have. Maybe even enough energy to skip that cup of coffee. The next time you get thirsty forget the sugary caffeine drinks, go to the faucet, and help yourself to a nice, cold, refreshing glass of water.

You may have heard that antioxidants are essential to your diet. They not only keep you healthy and functioning properly, they may also help prevent cancer, diseases and help slow down the aging process. So, you have decided that you need more of these wonderful nutrients, and are probably wondering where you can find them? Here is a list of foods and dietary supplements that will help you get all the antioxidants you need to live a happy, healthy life.

A recent study determined that the following foods were amoung the highest in antioxidants:

Apples. We all know apples are good for us, they are an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Fresh apples are also a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects your body's cells from damage and helps form the connective tissue collagen. Choose red delicious, granny smith, and gala apples as they have more antioxidants than other varieties.

Red Beans. You've probably heard that beans are good for you, but you may not know that they are one of the best food sources around for antioxidants. Beans that provide the most antioxidants are small red beans, red kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans. Beans are a good, low fat source of protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, thiamin and dietary fiber. Red beans also contain phytonutrients that may help prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Berries. Blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, grapes, raspberries, and strawberries are a great source of antioxidants. These super foods are low in calories and fat-free, so you can eat as many as you like without worrying about your weight. Berries are not only a good source of antioxidants, but they are also high in vitamin C.

Nuts. Walnuts and almonds are a tasty ways to get your antioxidants. They are packed with nutrients; protein, fiber, vitamin E, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and calcium. And they're good for your heart. Most of the fat in these nuts is monounsaturated fat — a healthier type of fat that may help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Broccoli. Besides being a good source of calcium, potassium, folate and fiber, broccoli contains phytonutrients, a group of compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins A and C, antioxidants that protect your body's cells from damage.

Sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoe's deep orange-yellow color means that they're high in the antioxidant beta carotene. Beta carotene may help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of some cancers. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of fiber, vitamins B-6, C, E, folate and potassium. They are fat-free and relatively low in calories.

Ground Cloves. Many of the spices we eat contain antioxidants and phytonutrients and the one at the top of the list is ground cloves. Who would have thought that cloves, a great addition to anything from chicken dishes to cookies, could have health-boosting properties? While it's more difficult to get your daily antioxidants from this spice because we generally use it in small quantities you should still try to incorporate it in your diet.

If you don't regulary eat enough of these foods, you can always get antioxidants from dietary supplements. Just remember to read the labels before you buy; supplements need to come from natural sources, so you'll get the best benefit for your money. The best supplements for antioxidant properties are: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium, carotenes, copper, and zinc.

Instead of buying 6 different individual supplements, you should look for something that contains all these vitamins and minerals in one pill. Not only will you be saving money, some studies indicate that a combination pill is a safer and more effective delivery system for antioxidants.

That's why Watkins Superfood Multiple is a good choice. This nutritional powerhouse contains more than just vitamins and minerals. Watkins has added antioxidants, enzymes, bioflavonoids, greens and whole food concentrates along with optimum potencies of every important vitamin and mineral to keep you feeling and performing at your very best. Superfood Multiple is formulated as the hub of Watkins entire dietary supplement line, it is designed to enhance the benefits of all other Watkins dietary supplements, for your optimum health.

If you feel you need additional antioxidants and phytonutrients take Watkins Fruit/Veggie Complex. Getting your fruits and vegetables couldn't be easier. This supplement contains 41 varieties of fruits and vegetables, all-natural mixed carotenes, vitamin C and potent fruit enzymes equal to ten glasses of juice; all in one convenient bilayer caplet and without any added sugars or sodium.

By taking supplements and/or making diet changes, you can drastically increase your antioxidant intake to improve your health and quality of life.


*The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires the following statement: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Okay, maybe you won't hate yourself but it certainly is important to be prepared, so that something that requires minor first aid doesn't become a major medical problem. Whether it is a violent storm, or an unavoidable accident; having a first aid kit is essential to be able treat anyone in your family at a moment's notice. Does your family have a first aid kit? If not, you can either buy a ready made first aid kit or take the time to put one together yourself.

Here are some items you will need:

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
Sterile gauze pads of various sizes
Sterile rolls of self-adhesive gauze
Steri-strips
Triangular bandages
Tape, preferably adhesive
Rubbing Alcohol
Watkins Petro Carbo Salve
Antiseptic cleansing agent/soap
Disposable Ice Packs
Watkins Menthol Camphor Ointment
Latex gloves
Sharp Scissors
Tweezers
Safety Pins
Thermometer
Needles
Blanket, mylar or space
Pain reliever such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid
Ipecac
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
First Aid manual

While you may already have most of these supplies in your medicine cabinet, if there is an emergency it saves time and is a safety measure to be able to access these items all in one container. You can also add additional items to your family's kit that you feel are necessary. Are there items that you didn't have in the past when confronted with a home accident, sudden illness, or child injury?

See if your community offers any courses on first aid, including CPR training, and sign yourself up. No matter how careful you are accidents do happen; insects bite, people fall down, they get cuts, scrapes, burns, blisters and slivers. When faced with any life threatening situation, at least you will be prepared and have whatever you need to assist your precious loved ones.

The most immediate benefit you'll enjoy is the money you save! Since I quit I've saved almost $600, it's really incredible how quickly it adds up. I'm dreaming of all the things I can buy with my new found savings...

A car
New kitchen cabinets
A new wardrobe
A vacation

Actually I think I'm going to add it to my retirement fund because I'm planning on living for a long time!

Should you worry? If your children are not eating a healthy diet and getting enough physical activity maybe you should. According to the American heart association:

"Almost 23 percent of children ages 9-13 don't get any free-time physical activity. Overweight children and adolescents have a 62 percent to 98 percent chance of being overweight at age 35, which increases their risk of heart disease."

While those statistics are scary you can make sure your children are not at risk for high cholesterol by the time they are teenagers. Provide your children with healthy meals and teach them how to make healthy food choices.

With today's busy lifestyles many families eat out or serve already prepared and instant foods for most meals. But here’s the danger; most types of restaraunt meals, take out and prepared meals you buy at the grocery store, are high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, added sugars and sodium. Not to mention portion sizes have increased dramatically over the last several years, which means consuming more calories too.

When eating out try to reduce foods high in dietary cholesterol:

To keep portion sizes smaller, split an entrée with a family member or dining partner.

Ask for sauces and dressing on the side to control the fats, sodium and calories you eat.

When ordering, choose foods that have been grilled, baked, steamed or poached instead of fried, sautéed, smothered or au gratin.

Don't forget the salad bar for lots of fresh vegtables and fruits.

When eating home cooked meals try to eliminate foods high in dietary cholesterol:

Serve lean meats, fish and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fats.

Serve fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products.

Try not to serve foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your family's diet.

Use healthy oils for cooking and baking like olive oil and grapeseed oil.

Serve two or three cooked and/or fresh fruits and vegetables with each meal.

It's up to you to provide healthy food choices and a set a good example for your teens by eating healthy yourself. You can find more information about children's health at the American heart association's web site.

Taking good care of your skin such as avoiding the sun, using sunscreen, washing your skin gently and applying moisturizer regularly can help delay the natural aging process and prevent many skin problems. These simple skin-care habits will help you protect your skin to keep it healthy and glowing for years to come.

Did you know that smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles? Skin changes from smoking have been noticed in young adults who have been smoking for as few as 10 years. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels including the vessels in the outermost layers of skin. This decreases blood flow, depleting the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. All of these factors increase damage to the elastic fibers (elastin) and collagen which give your skin strength and elasticity.

The repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke may contribute to wrinkles as well. It's also possible that repeated exposure to the heat from burning cigarettes may damage your facial skin over time. Sounds like a good idea to stop smoking for skin care, another good reason to quit!