A Couple Of Words On Cyling =D

Bicycles have been around for a long time + - 200 years to be partially exact :). The year was 1817 and the inventor, named  Baron Von Drais. The device he created was made entirely out of wood and named the "walking machine" or "hobby horse" he's invention didn't last too long and never really gained popularity amongst the people of that century but one thing was for sure, Baron Von Drais laid down the blueprints for the modern bicycle we know today.

Well enough of the history lesson, I'd like to touch on the subject of biking and the positive results you can gain from it. Biking or cycling is not only a fun outdoor activity but also a low-impact aerobic workout that provides an array of health benefits, enjoyed by both kids and adults alike. It is considered to be one of the most effective exercises out there and you don't have to be super-fit to go for a ride either as cycling caters for people of all age groups and fitness levels. There are three main categories used for fitness or leisure namely indoor cycling, road cycling and outdoor cycling all of which kinda explain themselves.     

To name but a few benefits we have

• A great metabolism booster.
• Improves balance.
• Increases coordination.
• Promotes weight loss.
• Reduces stress ( as with any exercise)
• Increased low impact joint movement.
• Strengthens the heart and Promotes blood circulation.
• Exposure to more sunlight.
• Muscle firming and toning.

Generally cycling doesn't involve a strong learning curve or a lot of expensive equipment  besides the bike itself and it can be performed all year round in many areas around the globe. Most people will be able to continue cycling throughout their entire natural lives and reap the rewards of a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Other benefits 

• A relaxing leisurely activity.
• A chance to spend time with friends.
• Creates an opportunity to meet new people.
• It is an environmentally friendly activity.

To Baron Von Drais i say thank you for your "hobby horse" and the huge snowball it created I wonder what he would say if he saw the variety of bicycles today and the impact he created. Until my next post, see you guys on the road ;)

The madness and radness of poi (o0,)

I have been practicing Poi for a little over five years now and i can tell you, the benefits are amazing. Poi were developed by the Maori people of New Zealand thousands of years ago and is basically the art of swinging circles with a small weight attached to a chain or chord in each hand. The art of Poi was practiced by men to increase coordination, timing, strength. and by women to increase flexibility of the wrists and hands :)

A Poi spinner can use anything from long socks with tennis balls placed inside it to expensive LED lit orbs.
Fire Poi which is my personal favorite consist of some Kevlar type material wrapped tightly around a small piece of copper pipe attached to a chain. I favour the fire Poi because of the exhilaration you feel when spinning the raging flame over and around your body, it is not something you can easily describe.

 
To outline all the benefits that Poi can bring into your life is a difficult task because there are just so many. Above all spinning Poi can increase your spatial awareness and boost your concentration levels. It will give your muscles a workout and totally increase flexibility, spinning poi also increase your balance and allows you to become more aware of your own space and presence.

• Improves blood circulation.
• Improves muscle mass.
• Improves your spacial Awareness.
• Improves self esteem.
• Improves hand eye co-ordination.
• Improves timing.
• Gain understanding and patience.

Spinning poi will do wonders for your overall fitness of not only the body but also the mind, give it a try and you will be amazed at what you can  achieve.

5 Superfoods you should take a look at

A special category of foods found in nature known today as Super foods, are a superior source of essential nutrients and anti-oxidants - nutrients our bodies need but cannot make by themselves. These foods are nutrient dense and calorie sparse meaning that they pack a lot of punch for their size and weight. Let’s take a look at five of these amazing foods.

• Raw cacao contains an array of minerals and unique properties including high levels of magnesium and sulphur. Cacao may increase your focus and alertness; it also has nutrients (phenylethylamine) that keep you happy and smiling for longer. Cacao beans contain 14 times more flavanoids (antioxidants) than red wine and a whopping 21 times more than green tea. So if you plan on buying yourself some raw cacao beans be sure to attain organic raw cacao in a powder, whole bean or nib form. Most processed cacao beans have lost almost all their nutrients due to excessive temperatures during the refining process.

• Green leafy vegetables come in many forms you could try any of the following - dandelion greens, spinach, mustard sprouts, broccoli sprouts, chicory, rocket, watercress, parsley, kale, endive or lettuce. Studies continually confirm that populations who consume a diet high in green leafy vegetables run a far lower risk of cancer and heart disease. Leafy vegetables also contain high doses of enzymes, chlorophyll, proteins and large varieties of vitamins and minerals which are all very beneficial to your well being.

• Coconuts are by far one of the highest sources of electrolytes in nature - electrolytes are ionized salts contained in our cells that transport energy throughout our bodies. The water in coconuts are identical to the molecular structure of human blood plasma, this means that your body will recognize it immediately and then put it to good use. So instead of drinking a refined sports drink for energy you could rather drink some coconut water for that extra boost.

• Pomegranate fruits contain tannins, anthocyanins and polyphenols all of which are beneficial antioxidants. Drinking a glass of pomegranate juice a day may reduce high blood pressure. Evidence also suggests that it lowers or slows down low density lipoprotein "LDL" cholesterol (bad cholesterol) oxidation.

• Walnuts are one of the best plant sources of protein, rich in B-vitamins, antioxidants, magnesium and fibre. Nuts on the whole contain plant sterols and omega 3 fatty acids which improve blood vessel elasticity and plaque accumulation. Walnuts have also been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and the C- Reactive Protein (CRP)

So if you want to feel a bit healthier treat yourself to a superfood or two, what do you have to lose ?

8 Reasons to become a vegetarian (-*-)

• Consider this, giving up meat will rid your body of toxins {environmental pollutants, pesticides and preservatives} these toxins overload our system and are the main causes for some serious illnesses. If you have ever tried a formal detox program you will know that the first step is to replace meats and dairy products with vegetables, fruits and juices. Because vegetables and fruits contain phytochemicals which help our bodies to detox naturally.

• Imagine enjoying a delicious vegetarian meal and at the same time knowing that no being has suffered for it.

• By turning vegetarian you can look forward to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduced risk of heart disease, many types of cancers and are less likely to be overweight. Sounds good to me, perhaps you might not live much longer than a meat eater but you will certainly lower your disease risk factor.

• It is horribly inefficient to raise animals for food; it takes 7.2 kilograms of grain to produce 500 grams of edible meat. For every half kilo they eat, only a fraction of the calories become edible meat.

• Over fished oceans are resulting in threatened species, destruction of coral reefs and an overall ocean Eco-system imbalance.

• Vegetarianism helps fight an industry that raise animals in cramped spaces, artificially breeds them, separates them from their young and then trucks them away for a lovely ride to a slaughter house.

• Another result of the meat industry is the mass pollution it creates. A study done in 2006 by the United Nations found that this industry is a significant contributor to most of the serious environmental problems we face at every scale from local to global.

• There are many tasty vegetarian dishes to explore so why not expand your taste buds and discover less harmful ways to enjoy your meals

so rather than asking why go vegetarian? Perhaps the real question is why you haven’t gone vegetarian yet.