3 Places Germs Are Waiting For You

According to the Center for Disease Control, virus like the flu, and E. Coli reside on things that we touch every day.  Below are the top areas those little "bugs" may be hiding.

Cell Phone:  Statistically, 3 out of 4 cell phones carry germs that could be potentially dangerous.  The Solution:  Wipe down your phone periodically with a dampend cloth mixed with soap or hand sanitizer.

Credit Cards:  See that cashier coughing and sniffling?  Be carefull when she or he swipes your card as you make a purchase because the germs are passed along to you when you when the cashier touches your card.  The Solution:  Clean your cards once a week with a bleach based disinfecting type cleaner.

Jeans Pockets:  Bacteria can still reside in your jeans pockets long after your hand has left.  The Solution:  Turn your pockets inside out when you wash your jeans and wash in hot water.

Thank you for reading this article, feel free to leave comments below.

New Year - 3 New New Hair Styles To Try!!

It's a now 2010 and a lot of people are looking for a new look - something different.  A great way to try something different - your hair!  Below, we feature 3 styles that you may want to try if you are looking for something new.

Pixie Cut:  Short and sweet.  Great for people with a "Heart" or "Square" shaped face.

Bob Cut:  Medium length hair works great with this approach.  Great for people of all face shapes.

Bangs:  Bangs work great for all hair lengths.  All face shapes work well with this cut - those with round faces will want your stylist to shorten the width of your bangs with more focus on longer "fringe".  This fringe should be positioned towards the face, gently brushing the cheeks.

3 Ways The "Naturally Thin" Stay That Way

The Naturally Thin Don't Worry - As Much As We Do:  According to a survey conducted by Health Magazine late last year, 54% of all those surveyed said they worry more than their spouse.  Experts that specialize in this area recommend those that worry become aware of what's happening now and keep it in context to your overall goals.  It's not that those that are "Naturally Thin" don't worry - they do - it's just they keep their worries "compartmentalized" and don't allow the worry to overshadow their goals in life.  They take it in stride.

The "Naturally Thin" Eat What They Want:  They eat what they want - within reason.  The key lies in eating until one is satisfied and they don't eat the same high fat foods frequently.

The "Naturally Thin" Look At Food As a Source Of Fuel - Not Comfort:  While it's fine to have a craving for something, "Naturally Thin" people don't look to food as the answer.  They don't think "I'm so sad/stressed today that I'm going to go home and eat a whole pint of ice cream".  The "Naturally Thin" eat and enjoy their food - and move on.

Hopefully these 3 tips help you in your fitness goals.  Remember, feel free to eat, enjoy your food, and don't let life worry steal your peace of mind.

Thank you for taking time to read this.  Feel free to post comments below.

Bellydance Classes Back In Session: January 28th

You've dined, you've drank, you've eaten tons of dessert, and you've enjoyed it all!!!  Now it's time to return to bellydance class refreshed and ready to go.  To help you with your New Year's resolutions, Jade Fitness & Entertainment will be starting the classes January 28th - this way you can really find time to make a New Year's resolution that will REALLY work instead of rushing into a resolution and being "sick and tired" of it by January 5th.

Happy New Year From Jade Fitness & Entertainment

Jade Fitness & Entertainmet Wishes Everyone A Happy New Year!!

We've sweated hard and had lots of laughs for 2009 and look forward to more fun in 2010!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays From Jade Fitness & Entertainment!!

Jade Fitness & Entertainment wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas & a Happy Holidays!!  Classes are not in session during the holiday break and will resume January 2010.  Thanks for a wonderful year!!!

Happy Thanksgiving From Jade Fitness & Entertainment!!!

Jade Fitness & Entertainment wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!  We promise to work all those pounds off when you return to class - so eat well!!

Drink Green Tea To Increase Metabolism

Green tea has been clinically proven to increase metabolism, but did you know that green tea also is a detoxifier? A detoxifyier's main role is to remove all the "bad" chemicals in your body including those leading to dull skin, pimples in the face or back, and it improves the toning and elasticity of the skin. To learn more about green tea, log on www.edajtea.com

Melting Fat Tip: Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!

For most kids, rainy days are fun filled days, for adults with arthritis rainy days are another story. Arthritis usually starts and originates in the joints which have joint cartilage to help us move. It helps us move by proving a smooth surface that is about 5 times slicker than ice. Composed of over 80% water, joint cartilage begins to pop, creak, and hurt when the body doesn't have all the water it needs. Over time, as the joint cartilage wears away it can't heal as quickly and that is when arthritis really sets in. How does this tip help you burn fat? By drinking half your body weight in ounces every day you will feel fuller, but another benefit is that you hydrate your joint cartilage and prevent or ease the symptoms of arthritis so you can move without pain. If you can move without pain or reduced pain, then you will be more inclined to participate in activities that melt fat away!

Melting Fat Tip: Cook With Olive Oil

Cook with olive oil! Instead of covering those veggies or that bread in butter, try using olive oil and seasoning instead. It will bring out the flavor in your food and cut back on the fat.

How To: Egyptian Hip Drop/Hip Drop Kick

As always, your will start with both of your knees will be slightly bent. With your weight on the standing foot (in this example, let's make it our left foot), bring the other foot (your right foot) in front of the standing foot with only the ball of your foot touching the floor. At this point, over 90% of your weight should be in the standing foot. To help your balance, you can lean back slightly, but you must keep your back straight. Now lift your hip up and towards your waist and "snap"/drop it down once on the beat. To perform the "hip drop kick" action, the next time you drop your hip, kick your heel out. Alternate with your foot touching the floor, foot kicking in the air, touching, kicking, etc... Remember, don't bounce.

Bellydance Movements Executed Slowly Build More Muscle

Did you know that one pound of muscle burns through 75 calories per day? By comparison, one pound of fat burns through 2 calories per day. Bellydance movements executed slowly build more muscle and help you burn fat while you are resting because it increases your metabolism. So S-L-O-W-L-Y shake it!

3 Reasons Why You Are Not Loosing Weight

That Darn Pina Colada
It's ok to indulge if you like the occasional drink, but drinks pack on the calories, lower your bodies immunity, and lower your inhibitions so that you eat the "whole darn thing" of pizza, tray of fried stuff, or whatever is left over. Ohh, and that pina colada packs on 245 calories!If you must indulge, make sure to pick lighter on the waistline options:

-Merlot - 5 ounces equals 123 calories
-Champagne - 4 ounces equals 88 calories
-Vodka mixed with diet tonic - 100 calories

Your Early Morning Workout
"What's wrong with that?" - you ask. Well, if you are skipping some zzz's for a run with the treadmill then medical studies state that you may be doing more harm than good. Less sleep (less than 7 hours per night) is linked to increased weight gain

Drinking Enough Water, But Not Enough Veggies and Fruits
No matter how many trips to the water cooler, you still should strive for more water coming from the food you eat instead of your glass. Shoot for water filled veggies such as cucumbers and leafy lettuce or fruits such as grapes or watermelon. Of course there are more items that can help you drop the pounds, but these are a great start!! To learn more, join our bellydance classes and enjoy our "Five Minute Bellydance Diet Presentation!"

Body Fat Percentage - The Key To Weight Loss

Although the number on the scale has long been known as "king" in the world of health and weight loss, the truth is that this number is not the "end all be all" in deciding if you are healthy or if you are on your way to weight loss. The real number that everyone should be REALLY concerned about is their body fat percentage.

What's The Benefit Of Knowing Your Body Fat Percentage?
It will help you understand if your weight loss goals are reasonable. For example, if your body fat percentage is less than 20% and you want to loose 20lbs, this may not be the best approach because you would loose muscle. It also keeps you from "jumping off of a cliff" when the number on the scale begins to rise. Since most body fat scales also measure the percentage of water in your body, it will help you understand when the increased weight on the scale is due to water weight gain instead of fat.

Ideal Body Fat Percentages
For women, the average body fat percentage is no higher than 25% although some would say 31%. Men have an average of 5% less body fat than women. See body fat chart.



Next Step: Buy A Body Fat Monitor Scale
Body fat monitor scales range in price from $40 - $200, but even the cheapest body fat monitor scale is better than no scale at all. Weigh yourself daily for at least 3 weeks when you first bring your scale home. The best time to weigh is in the morning after your first bowel movement, immediately after exiting the shower. Because your feet will be moist at this time, the electrodes on the scale will provide a more accurate reading.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Feel free to leave comments below!

Health Tip for a Flat Stomach: The Belly Roll

The belly roll is more than a "cool" move. It also aides in digestion as it moves food down your intestines to be digested or excreted from the body. In addition, it works the "pooch" muscle to tone your stomach and shrink your waistline.

To execute the belly roll, it is best if you attempt this laying down. Imagine that your stomach is divided into two sections. The first section is above the belly button, and the latter section is below the belly button. Next, try to suck in only the top section (the section above your belly button) ONLY. Next, try to suck in the bottom section - ONLY. Then alternate each section, top, bottom, top, bottom, and top, bottom.

Finally, try to "roll" the belly from top to bottom. It takes a moment to get the "hang" of it, but this is very helpful to reducing your belly size because it works the main muscle that most people blame for their "budda belly" - exclusively.

For best results, try belly rolls, 30 times a day, 3 times a week for results.

Bellydance Tip: Veil Work

Hold your veil and both arms up until it forms a soft "v". Drop one arm to the side at a 90 degree angle. Now in this example you will be turning clockwise and you will drop your left arm. So you should feel as if you are turning forward as the veil trails behind you fluttering. It looks beautiful with a silk veil!!

Ways To Fight Cancer

Did you know that there are certain plants that indigenous Amazon local natives use to fight cancer. One doctor named Leslie Taylor has taken on the task of researching every plant she could get her hands on (plus a few others) that local natives identified as cancer fighters. She has compiled an amazing reference guide called Rain Tree Nutrition. Not only does this amazing guide identify plants that could help fight cancer, some of the plants listed also fight colds, flu, reduces tumors and fibroid. To check out the whole list of plants CLICK HERE.

Below are a few interesting plants and their healing properties. If you know anyone that suffers from these aliments feel free to share this information.

Bitter Melon
Kills cancer cells, kills viruses, kills bacteria, prevents tumors and more. Since it is bitter in taste and flavor, local people add the fruit to soups. To kill some of the bitterness, locals may flavor it with salt. Bitter melon has many more properties and traits then listed here. CLICK HERE to read more about this great fruit!

Graviola
Kills cancer cells, kills tumor growth, kills bacteria (the cause of colds), and reduces fever. Natives usually eat the pulp and although it has a slightly sour taste, a lot of natives still eat the pulp straight. For more details - CLICK HERE

Cat's Claw
Kills cancer, stimulates the immune system and reduces inflamation. Natives boil the root to extract the medicine. For more details - CLICK HERE

3 Rules Of Weight Loss

Recently one of my Twitter buddies (Twitter ID: EnzymaticThrpy) provided a great article on the "10 Rules of Weight Loss." After reviewing the article, I'm parring it down to 3 just because 3 things are a lot easier for most of us to remember and we at Jade Fitness & Entertainment feel the most passionate about these 3 because they will really help you loose weight.

Rule #1: Don't Count Calories
Unless you like math, don't count calories. Why? Because there are a lot of ways to consume 2,000 calories a day - not all of them good. A 2,000 calorie a day goal can be reached with great things such as salads, fresh fish, fresh fruits, fresh veggies, and tea, but it can also be reached with 3 cans of soda, slices of pizza, and trips to the "greasy spoon" for lunch. Point is, it's the food quality that counts - not the calories.

Rule #2: Artificial Sweeteners Cause Weight Gain
Put the diet soda down. It's not helping you win the battle against fat. Clinical studies show that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame cause other harmful health problems - and weight gain.

Rule #3: Snacks Are Good!
There's nothing wrong with a small (healthy) snack in between meals. It allows you to think more clearly and keeps you from devouring the first thing you get your hands on when you get home.

The original article that was the source of our inspiration - CLICK HERE.

Many thanks again to our Twitter buddy, EnzymaticThrpy for "Tweeting" this article!

Thanks for taking time to read this blog posting. Feel free to comment or ask any questions below.

Health Tip: Go A Little "Nuts"

Well, score one for one of the alkaline members of the food pyramid-the almond!! This tasty nut is being acknowledged by the scientific community for role in weight control (think slimmer), antioxidants (think disease prevention), and intestinal flora balance (think good digestion and absorption of crucial nutrients that keep you healthy). So, grab a handful of almonds the next time you need to crunch on something or need a quick snack. They will satisfy you much better than a bag of potato chips or Cheetos from the vending machine!!

Don't care for almonds? Go "nuts" with chestnuts instead.

Memorial Holiday - Eat Well!

Although Jade Fitness & Entertainment staff will be enjoying the holiday - we want everyone to eat well! We will work it off when you return!