5 easy steps to getting over caffeine addiction

Caffeine is the most widely ingested psychoactive drug in the world, primarily used to increase wakefulness and alertness. Mostly derived from the coffee bean, caffeine is highly addictive, with strong side effects upon withdrawal, including headaches and extreme fatigue. Too much caffeine can cause dizziness, anxiety and acid reflex. Consuming caffeine during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight, smaller head size and possible DNA inhibition. Fortunately, there are several substitutes for caffeine that offer similar focus and wakeful results. 1) Ginkgo This is an herbal extract from the nut of the tree with the same name. It has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine and works as a vasodilator, which increases of blood flow, particularly to the brain and extremities. People have reported better focus, well being and even creativity when taking this herb. Ginkgo is also used to treat asthma and circulatory diseases. It can be consumed in capsule, tincture or tea. 2) Ginseng This is an extract derived from the ginseng root. It grows in many parts of the world and varies in potency. Also used since ancient times, ginseng is beneficial for increased blood flow, and like coffee, has a stimulating effect. It's been shown to reduce depression and stress. It can be consumed in capsule, tincture or tea. 3) Ice Cold Water and a B12 Ice cold water first thing in the morning can shock your system into a metabolic furnace that kicks into gear to warm the water put into your system. Combined with vitamin B12, this is an excellent way to jump start your engine. B12 is known for its mental clarity and energy enhancing properties (take a look at some of those energy drinks; B12 is usually front and center). It also plays a role in melatonin production (a hormone that regulates healthy sleep cycles). B12 can help depression, asthma and the formation of red blood cells. The best way to take B12 is subliminally (under the tongue). 4) Teeccino and Cafix These are two caffeine substitutes often found in health food stores. They are primarily made from grains, figs, chicory and beetroot. These products have had great success in mimicking the familiar taste of coffee, without any caffeine or acidity whatsoever. Like anything, there would be an adjustment period, but most people trying to kick the caffeine addiction give these two products high marks. 5) Stretch and Eat an Apple? Stretching upon rising catapults oxygen metabolism in the blood, sending oxygen rich cells to the muscles and the brain, which sparks an alert and focused body. Combine this with a fresh apple and you can boost your system into a similar caffeine wakefulness. The act of chewing an apple opens up neural and muscle pathways, and the fructose sparks the metabolism into energy production. Note: If you are a daily caffeine drinker, any of the above substitutes will take time to work as your body deals with caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine is very strong and rivals most other products, but in due time, the body will get used to the lack of caffeine and embrace other choices. Be sure and check with your doctor before withdrawal and replacement of these and any other ideas. Article Comments

Know your body

Anatomy & Physiology 101- The Cardiovascular System

The Human Body is without a doubt the most complex organism on this planet. It is absolutely fascinating how are bodies are designed and what they are capable of. To better explore our bodies I have decided to write a weekly blog about a different body part or system. Some may be very in depth, some may be in more “caveman terms” depending its usefulness of deeper knowledge. The first topic of choice is our cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular is comprised of the heart and two different networks of blood vessels; pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation.

Motivation

I don't know you. I don't know a thing about you. I don't know where you come from, where you're going, or why you do what you do. I don't know if we'd get along if we met. But there is one thing that I do know: You are capable of much more than you have been led to believe.

As I am writing this, there are 7 billion people walking and breathing on our humble rock. The overwhelming, vast majority of them will pass through their 720,000 hours like a match struck in the wind. Hardly noticed, scarcely remembered.

Tomorrow, as you go about your day, take your time to look around. Are there a lot of people around? What do you see? You see mediocrity. You see average. You see everything about yourself that you hate, that you fear, but that you have been conditioned to believe is acceptable. Fine. Enough. A good job.

I'm here to tell you that you will NOT settle for what is fine. You will NOT settle for a good job. Fine is for the loser. Fine is for the guy who skipped the last set of his workout because he just didn't feel like it. Fine is for the guy who cheated on his diet because he just couldn't do it anymore. Fine is for the guy who took a nap instead of sprinting around town in a torrential downpour. Fine is for the guy who got the job, but not the one he wanted. That guy made second place. He has never embraced pain, personal sacrifice, or thrown himself into the fires of dedication. Most importantly, and starting today, this guy is NOT YOU.

You are not this person. You are destined for greatness. You have it inside of you, and you know it. You have always known it, you have felt it as a faint thumping in your gut. It is clawing, scratching, struggling to be set free. It needs your help. As long as you hold yourself to the standard of "average," that is all you will ever be. In your dreams you aren't average, so why the FUCK are you settling for it now? What are you not doing right now?

The time to act is now. You will burn. You will suffer. Your demons will not be defeated easily. Every step of the way they will whisper in your ear that you aren't good enough. That you aren't meant to succeed. "Just give up," they will mutter, "you'll never be the best." "NO," you will reply. You will embrace suffering. You will finish that last repetition. You will claw through the agonizing pain, you will destroy the mediocre pussy in your head, you will break boundaries. You will rise above the rest. You will realize your potential.

You are no average man. Now go do what you were destined to do. End of fucking story.

something to think about

I strive more and more each day to constantly think about my reactions and actions towards every situation and every thought I have, and just how those thoughts and or actions can alter the very core of my being and the future that I will then face. I also think about how these things alter the paths of those around me as well, because we are linked in every way possible to those around us so we must realize this and think before we act or say when dealing with others. Though it may not seem much to us at the time, every little thing we do, say, or think alters not only our futures but those whose lives we touch as well. So let's stop judging one another, let's stop looking at one another different, let's stop dividing ourselves with our religions, political views, races, or whatever, and let's learn to love one another unconditionally as though we would love ourselves for the sake of our children's futures. Let's begin today to stop letting the choices of a few dictate the future of the many, and let's learn to control our hearts and minds using our thoughts for the greater good of every living thing on this planet! Together we can alter our future to a place only few of us could ever dream of, but together it will no longer be just a dream but the reality we all seek from within! I know in your hearts you didn't want to live as you do now consuming everything, destroying everything, stepping on others to get ahead, living with money as our rulers, ect....., but that you wanted to be free, happy, loved, to give love, and to shine from all your hearts from day to day! This is what we really are if we choose, but the choice between fear and love is yours and yours alone! But when making your choices that will alter our futures, remember that you are not alone in your feelings of anger towards all that is going on, you are not alone in your disgust with how things are being ran, you are not along in seeing the hate and lies being spread, and together through our unity through unconditional love we can change all of this! Together we can alter the future of our children, and we can create a better world for them as well. It may never be Utopia, but it can sure be more than it is now with less violence, hate, fear, and greed!

So I leave you with this “My life amounts to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean. Yet what is any ocean, but a multitude of drops?”
― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

 

 

Give Thanks

Hope everyone has had a wonderful thanksgiving! Remember to give gratitude not only on holidays, but everyday! You will feel much better about yourself and towards others. It really sparks a positive mood in the brain. Hope everyone eats plenty and enjoys themselves as well as spending time with family and friends.

motivational quote of the day

people seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after. 

Stay positive

Changing the way you think, will alter the way you perceive things. Thus altering your course in life. Hope you guys all had a wonderful morning and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee. Have a great day!

Get IT DONE!

                                  Yesterday = Experience
                                  Today = Experiment
                                  Tomorrow = Expectations.                            
                 Use your Experience in your Experiment to achieve your Expectations

motivation

Diet is the most important aspect of being fit and healthy. Exercise is second. Period.

There is so much that we can attain in our lives if we put down the self imposed imitations that have been created by others because of our past actions. Be present now and you will receive the present.