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From overeating to watching too much TV, there's really only one way to break a bad habit : make a plan!

Unfortunately what may work for one person, may not work for another. So here are some ways to break some of the most popular bad habits. Hopefully it works for you!

Watching too much TV. : Studies show that people watch an average of 4 hours of television each day and these studies also show that excessive TV. watching can be linked to developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Here are some ways to avoid watching too much TV: only watch when there is something specific you want to see, do chores during commercials, make a list of things you need to accomplish before sitting down to watch TV, and create a TV-watching plan and stick to it.

Drinking too much alcohol. : Tired of being hung over and sluggish? Then you should do everything you can to cut back on drinking too much alcohol. To cut back try these tips: drink one glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have, drink only when you are having a meal or try drinking something that looks like an alcoholic drink, like rootbeer or a drink with a slice of fruit in it.

Smoking. : While this may be one of the hardest habits to break, it's still possible as many, many people do it every year. The best plan is to talk things over with your doctor because they can offer the best cessation treatment for you. But some other approaches that you may consider include: hypnotherapy, exercise or electronic cigarettes.

Nail biting. : Because most nail biting habits are linked to anxiety, stress, or nervousness, your plan should start with creating a relaxation plan. Think about what makes you bite your nails before you start. When you get the urge to bite your nails or catch yourself in the act, do something with your hands : garden, cook, play with your kids or pets, clean or do the dishes. Do something that takes your mind off of biting your nails.

Overeating. : No matter how hard you try to cut calories, it still seems like sometimes the cravings are still there. Experts say that sometimes it is best to give into those cravings. When people do give into their cravings every once in awhile they have a better chance of losing weight and keeping it off, than those who ignore their cravings and avoid certain foods. Experts also advise that if you can avoid nighttime eating that you will be well on your way to prevent overeating as well.

  • Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A in the form of beta carotene and vitamin C.
  • The nutrients in sweet potatoes are also anti-inflammatory, which means that besides being great tasting, sweet potatoes can help reduce the severity of conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • In addition, sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6.

Recipe: Golden Sweet Potato Brownies

1 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups peeled and finely shredded sweet potatoes

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons milk

Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the batter just until blended. Fold in the shredded yam. Spread the batter evenly in the greased baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Mix together the confectioners' sugar, butter and milk until smooth. Spread over the brownies while they are still warm.

Recipe: Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

6 sweet potatoes cut into French fries

2 tablespoons canola oil

3 tablespoons taco seasoning mix

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a plastic bag, combine the sweet potatoes, canola oil, taco seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Close and shake the bag until the fries are evenly coated. Spread the fries out in a single layer on two large baking sheets.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until crispy and brown on one side. Turn the fries over using a spatula, and cook for another 30 minutes, or until they are all crispy on the outside and tender inside. Thinner fries may not take as long.

Last year, Consumer Reports sent a survey team to several schools to find out how much weight kids were lifting , in their backpacks.  Parents were shocked to learn that of the students surveyed, the average weight hauled by second-graders was 5.3 pounds, fourth-graders carried 4.6 pounds and sixth-graders averaged 18.4 pounds.

To help alleviate some of the back pain and stress, Consumer Reports suggest that parents should keep the following factors in mind:

  1. Check for good stitching that can hold a decent amount of weight.
  2. Shoulder straps anchors should be about 1- to 2- inches below the top of the shoulder.
  3. The bottom of the backpack should go along the curve of the lower back and the backpack itself should not fall more than 4 inches below the waist.

We all know that calcium builds strong bones, but it also ensures that your muscles, nerves and cells all work properly.

As adults, we need approximately 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day : or the equivalent of more than three 8 oz. glasses of milk a day.  But if you don't do dairy, you are still able to get your daily dose of calcium with these calcium-rich foods.

Broccoli has a calcium content of 86 milligrams in just two cups of raw broccoli.  It also contains nearly twice the vitamin C than an orange.

Collard greens contain 268 milligrams of calcium per one cup cooked.  It is also loaded with three days' worth of vitamin A.

Kale has a calcium content of 101 milligrams in one cup of raw, chopped kale.  Kale also provides a day's worth of vitamin C and twice the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.

Edamame contains 98 milligrams of calcium in one cup cooked.  It is also one of the few non-animal foods that is a complete protein : meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. And 8 grams of fiber per serving isn't too shabby, either.

Figs have a calcium content of 121 milligrams in ½ cup dried figs.  Figs also supply you with magnesium, potassium and fiber.

Oranges contain 74 milligrams of calcium in one large orange and 27 milligrams in one cup of orange juice.  Orange are also great sources of vitamin C, they are full of antioxidants and are low in calories.

Sardines have a calcium content of 351 milligrams in a 3.75 oz. can.  While some people may fear sardines simply on looks alone, they are really quite tasty and are an amazing source of vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

It seems like not too long ago we were breaking out the shorts and t-shirts, swim suits and flip flops, and heading outdoors to make the most of the beautiful summer days.  But with only days left in the summer season, there is still time to get outdoors and take advantage of the weather, all the while getting your work outs in outdoors.

Running, hiking, swimming, and playing outdoor sports are all great ways to get your daily amount of exercise, but why not try something new in these last few weeks of summer?  Mix up your routine by trying one or more of the following and enjoy the weather while it lasts.

  • Rock climbing: Although this sport requires the assistance of a professional, most people do not realize the amount of physical strength it takes to participate in rock climbing.  Find an experienced rock climber in your area and give it a shot.  Before you know it, you'll get the “hang” of it and will wonder why it took you this long to try it out.
  • Water skiing: While water skiing is a sport that you may need to work up to, there is no time like the present to give it a try. Water skiing is a fun water sport, where you use a wide variety of muscles to participate in it and therefore it is a great summertime sport for someone looking for something new to try out.
  • Snorkeling: If you are heading to the beach or if you live at the beach, pick up a mask and snorkel and get ready for a good time and a great exercise.  Not only will you see some pretty amazing things below the water's surface, but you will also be getting a great aerobic workout without even realizing it.
  • Kayaking/Canoeing: Kayaking and canoeing are not just fun water sports, but they are also very physically challenging sports. Experts suggest that you take your time learning how to kayak or canoe and enjoy the area in which you decide to try out your new sport.  Row for awhile, but then take a break and take in the beautiful scenery around you.