First, you should know that stone crab claws belong to a very special group of seafood. The best ones are caught in the Florida Coast. This type of crab can be purchased in your local store and it can also be delivered in your home. When the product is delivered or shipped to your home, the travel period may occur overnight. If you are going to ask for a delivery from the local area, you can always ask them to crack the crabs for you. You also have to know that the stone crab claws are cooked right after the fishermen take them from the water. This is the best way to preserve this.

Stone Crabs as green food

The special way of taking stone crab claws from the water made it to the group of green food. Unlike other types of seafood, stone crabs are left in the water. The only thing that is taken from them is the claw. There is a provision prohibiting the fishermen to take the stone crab and sell it. They are only allowed to cut the claws from its body and bring it back to the water.

The stone crab has the ability to regenerate its lost claws no matter how many times you cut them. This is the main reason why it is considered as a green food and it cannot be taken as a whole. There are no other crabs that can regenerate the way a stone crab does. It is a green food in a way that it has the ability to preserve itself and live for several years. One stone crab can produce many stone crab clawsduring its life.

Claws are not taken from the female stone crab

Aside from taking one claw from the stone crab after one or two seasons passed, female stone crabs that carry eggs are also not included in the list of those whose claws are taken. This is also one of the rules that fishermen are supposed to follow. They are supposed to a claw from a male stone crab. The protection of the female stone crabs is something that can assure you that they will not become extinct in the market.

The season of stone crab claws starts during the middle part of October and ends in the middle of the month of May. Within this period, you may order stone crab claws and have it shipped as frozen. The distributors of this product recommend to the consumers that the product should be eaten right after it is cracked in order to avoid drying and lose of taste. Stone crab claws can be refrigerated and it can be fresh for seven days. If you want to enjoy its freshness, you can consume it during that period.

Author Bio:

Joel Cordle is associated with George stone crab. At George stone crab you will get the best quality sea food, a Stone Crab claws. George Stone Crab packs and delivers the freshest stone crabs to your door, whether you live in Miami, NY or LA.

Testosterone plays an important role in every person’s development, starting from prenatal until adulthood. This hormone is partly responsible for the formation of male genitalia to pubertal effects such as enlargement of sebaceous glands, facial hair, growth of Adam’s apple and broader shoulders, to increase in libido in adulthood. As the male grows older, the normal level of testosterone is between 350 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. However, there are instances when the production of this hormone may decline. Factors such as age, stress, infection, injury, excessive alcohol intake, genetic abnormalities or dysfunction of pituitary glands may contribute to such decline.

Despite these factors, one’s testosterone levels can be increased through testosterone replacement therapy, supplements or resorting through natural means.

Change in Diet

                The best way to boost one’s testosterone level naturally is by changing one’s diet by incorporating healthy foods. As much as possible, eat eggs, nuts and garlic by including it in your everyday meal. Due to the healthy fats it contains, nuts aregood way to increase testosterone. Also, garlic contains allicin which is also needed by this hormone.

Eating broccoli and green vegetables is also advisable as it prevents the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. At the same time, supplement your diet with zinc because according to researchers from Wayne State University, zinc deficient males experience decrease in production of testosterone. Zinc is necessary to maintain and increase the hormone as well as the conversion into estrogen so if you can, eat lots of include oyster, roast beef, liver, sesame seeds and lamb as part of your meal.

Further, avoid foods that are rich in sugar. According to research, 75 grams of pure glucose, which can be found in pasta, bread and cereal, is enough to increase one’s blood sugar thus lowering testosterone levels by 25%.

Physical Exercises

Despite the hectic schedule, men should always make time to get their selves back into shape. One’s muscle to fat ratio has an effect on the testosterone levels as excess body fat increases one’s estrogen level. Incorporate weight lifting exercises, squats, bench press and back rows since studies show that testosterone level is more likely to increase through this exercises.

When doing weight lifting, do three sets with five repetitions. Don’t pressure yourself too much when doing the exercises and rest in between sets. If you can and if you must, get rid of that fats and get those muscles back.

In conclusion, testosterone is an important hormone to improve one’s health, longevity and strength. Eat healthy, get some Vitamin D and engage yourself in physical activities in order to boost testosterone levels in the body.

Author Bio: Bobby Rouse works at Ageless. At ageless you will get the solution for the low testosterone problem. We are dedicated to help clients with low testosterone levels to lose years of age, and increase client’s performance on a day-to-day basis.

The same goes for home renovation projects. While some are too major to do yourself, there are easy options for quick makeovers. More homeowners are starting to embark on DIY projects at home, eliminating the need of calling a specialist or a family friend.

Below are some tips on how to makeover your bathroom in the course of an afternoon (or a weekend, depending on how big your bathroom is.)

Paint

A fresh coat of paint can transform any room. When painting a small bathroom, it’s best to use light colors. Lighter colors can open up a room, making it appear larger. Keep in mind that it will be significantly harder to paint the bathroom because there are fixtures that you shouldn’t move on your own.

Be sure to cover the toilet, vanity, and any other fixture that you can’t move out of the bathroom. Always paint with a roller in vertical motions. Avoid using too much pressure on the roller, as this can yield stroke marks on your walls.

Change the Lighting

Adding wall sconces can give your bathroom a spa-like feel. If you’re working on a master bathroom, you can even add a sparkling chandelier. If you still don’t have enough light, add a lamp on the counter of your vanity. Just be sure that it’s far from your water source.

Refurbish

Bathroom vanities are expensive, so refurbishing them can save a homeowner money. Try giving your bathroom vanity a makeover by painting it or decoupaging it with some of your favorite pictures or art.

If you have tacky cedar-style cabinets, you can change the feel of your bathroom in only a few hours. You’ll need to remove the shelves and doors before you begin painting. Prime the wood and paint about two coats on each side of the doors. After you’ve finished your paint project, try adding new hardware.

Add Storage

If you’re working with a small bathroom, storage is probably lacking. Visit your local home goods store to find unique storage options like stackable drawers or a hanging shower caddy. You can also buy some “floating” shelves to attach to the wall.

By adding extra storage, you’re not only adding space for towels and toilet paper-you’re also adding room for personal touches like fresh flowers or other decorations.

Accessorize

Once you’ve decided on a theme for your bathroom, you can accessorize accordingly. From a shower curtain to window treatments—accessories can make your bathroom more cohesive. Don’t break the bank when it comes to finding good accents; visit the clearance section of a home goods store or make a trip to Ikea.

You don’t have to spend more than $30 dollars on your accessories. Just a few simple touches can be more than enough.

So what’s the best way to stay hydrated…DRINK MORE WATER. Duh! But how?

Here are some simple steps for you to ensure that you are getting the proper amount of water your body needs throughout the day.

Keep a Gallon of Water or a 1.5 Liter Bottle on Your Desk: If you’re the Never-Leave-Your-Desk type, because you’re too engrossed in your work to get up for anything but a bathroom break, then this is for you! Keeping a gallon (about 3 Liters) of Water of a 1.5 liter bottle at your desk at all times, will allow you to keep track of how much you are actually drinking. Finish the bottle? Great! Congratulations, you have just consumed enough water for your day! Just remember to either get a new jug or bottle, or fill ‘er up again for tomorrow.

Keep Bottles of Water in the Fridge or in a Cooler: If you’re the Ice-Ice-Baby type, and hate lukewarm or room-temperature water, then this tip is for you! Keep bottles in the fridge, so you can grab a cold one when you get home. And, since you need to drink water throughout the day, pack a cooler filled with three or four 500 mL bottles, so that you can get your chilled-drink on at your desk!

Walk to the Water Cooler: Take an extra couple of steps to get a nice glass of water before and after your bathroom break. Make it your new office habit. And, if you’re a real go-getter, get up a few more times during the day, and walk to the water cooler to grab yourself a drink. Both extra movement and the extra hydration will do you good.

Keep a Full Bottle By Your Bed: When you wake up in the morning first thing you should have is water. Your body has just had 6-8 hours without any food or water. What better way to break your nightly fast then with a nice glass of water? According to NTA Certified Nutritional Therapist, Jennifer Scriber, of Body Wisdom Nutrition, “When you wake up in the morning, you are your most dehydrated. You’ve been breathing all night and have lost moisture with each breath since water moistens oxygen for easier breathing.” Water by the bed is super convenient. Just reach over, grab, and fuel yourself for your wonderful day!

Try a few of these tips, whichever ones fit your lifestyle. The main point is that you will be drinking more water and feeling better. You body might even thank you by losing weight.

Drink up!

Kim MacKenzie

Fitness Expert and President of Body Archer

Studies have shown, however, that simply changing to a healthier lifestyle can vastly improve certain illnesses. By making healthy choices, avoiding processed food, and starting an exercise regimen, you can turn your life around and rid yourself of the conditions holding you back.

Many conditions are a direct result of poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. By starting small and making better choices, you can easily alleviate some (if not all) of the symptoms of your medical condition.

Arthritis

The best way to reduce stress to your joints is to lessen the weight that’s placed on them. Losing just 10 pounds can reduce pressure on each knee by 48,000 for every mile walked. Some other good exercises include water aerobics and cycling since they cause the least amount of tension on joints.

While arthritis symptoms can be alleviated through exercise, stretching helps as well. Stretching your muscles increases blood flow to your joints, making it easier to move them.
Symptoms can also be reduced by sticking to a “colorful” diet: vegetables, fruits, and fish all help to lessen inflammation in the joints. Avoid refined grains and sunflower oils, as these can increase inflammation.

High Cholesterol

What matters most with cholesterol is the ratio of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) to HDL (high-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as the bad cholesterol and the good. When you have high cholesterol, you want to reduce your low-density lipoprotein levels and increase the high-density lipoproteins. Sticking to foods that are high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, legumes) may help to reduce LDL levels.

Your diet should be mostly plant-based, with the exception of some grass-fed animal protein. Having high cholesterol puts you at a higher risk for heart complications. In order to avoid more serious issues down the road, it is important to make a lifestyle change to reduce high cholesterol.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is associated with obesity because the extra fat and tissue around the neck puts pressure on the airway, causing a sufferer to stop breathing during the night. It can lead to heart failure and early death. By ridding yourself of unhealthy habits like smoking cigarettes, you can breathe easier.

Avoiding drugs and alcohol is also crucial in treating sleep apnea. Since these substances relax the central nervous system, it can also cause the muscles in the throat to relax, causing the sufferer to stop breathing.

Losing weight is also a key factor in treating, and eliminating, sleep apnea. By losing even 10% of your body weight, you can reduce the number of sleep apnea-related episodes each night.

Depression

Countless studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce both depression and anxiety. When you work out, your body releases “feel-good” hormones called endorphins. They give off a feeling of well-being and happiness, sometimes to referred to as a “runners’ high.”

Diabetes

Establishing a workout routine is important for Type-2 diabetics. Physical activity assists in regulating blood sugar levels because your muscles become less receptive to insulin.

Eating portion controlled food on a regular schedule can also help to control glucose levels. If you eat too much at one time, your blood sugar can rise too quickly. It is important to balance every meal throughout the day, spanning your carbs, protein, and other nutrients across 3 or 4 meals.

Pets provide sensory stress relief.

Stroking, holding, cuddling, or otherwise touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and soothe us when we’re stressed. One of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that most pets fulfill the basic human need to touch.

Pets are natural mood enhancers.

Isolation and loneliness can make disorders such as depression even worse. Caring for a living animal can help make you feel needed and wanted, and take the focus away from your problems.  No one loves you more unconditionally than your pet. And a pet will listen to you talk for as long as you want to talk. Therapists have been known to prescribe a pet as a way of dealing with and recovering from depression.

Pets require you to exercise.

Exercise doesn’t have to involve boring repetition at a gym. People who own dogs tend to be more physically active and less obese than people who don’t. Taking your dog for a daily 30 minute walk will keep you moving and ensure that you meet the minimum recommendations for healthy, physical activity.

Pets provide interaction and less isolation.

Though people sometimes may have a hard time getting to know each other, pets can be the common denominator that helps them connect even among people who don’t seem to be very much alike. Dog owners frequently stop and talk to each other on walks or in a park.

Pets can give you stronger immunity.

It doesn’t seem to make sense. Pet allergies are one of the most common triggers of asthma. But researchers have studied the effects of having fury pets in the homes of children at risk for asthma. Those children were significantly less likely to develop asthma as they got older. A research conducted by James E. Gern, pediatrician, University of Wisconsin – Madison, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, demonstrate that having a pet in the home can actually lower a child’s likelihood of developing allergies by as much as 33 percent.

Pets may help overcome the limitations of ADHD and Autism.

Not only do children who grow up with pets have less risk of allergies and asthma, many also learn responsibility, compassion, and empathy from having pets. Taking charge of the jobs on a pet care schedule helps a child learn to plan and be responsible. Pets need to play, and playing with a pet is a great way to release excess energy. Autistic children often rely on nonverbal cues to communicate, just as pets do. Some are better able to interact with pets than people. Because the bond between a pet and a child is unconditional love, pets help children with ADHD and Autism learn about self-esteem. “The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can,” said Karin Winegar, whose book, Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform, registers human-animal interactions.

About the Author:

Simon Bukai owns and operates Vista Health Solutions, a health insurance marketplace. Simon’s experience in the industry has made him knowledgeable on many health and insurance related topics.

Thanks to that “8 Glasses of Water” a day rule, most people assume they drink enough water throughout the day. Key word, “ASSUME.” Generally, though, in my experience as a Pilates Instructor, people tend to count other beverages like tea, coffee, or (gasp) tonic water as “water.” Hey, it’s in the title, right? Wrong. You need a good splash of REAL water in the face, my friend, if you don’t see the extra ingredients and calories on the back (and you might as well drink a soda, because they basically have the same nutritional value).

Real water has no calories. And as for coffee and tea, unless its decaffeinated or herbal, the caffeine in the coffee and/or tea is a diuretic which causes your system to filter food, water, and nutrients faster. More water out than in, causes dehydration. Chapped lips, dry skin, fatigue, irritability, dry mouth, headache, constipation, dizziness, and confusion can all be signs of dehydration, as well as thirst. 

Did you know that if you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated? Thus the moral of the story is, practice drinking water when you are not feeling thirsty. Dehydration symptoms are noticeable after 2% of one’s normal water volume has been lost. And, according to the US Geological Society, our bodies are 60% water, our brains are 70% water, and our lungs are 90% water! That makes losing 2% of our normal water volume not too hard to do. So, if you’re experiencing the symptoms of dehydration, you probably are consistently dehydrated, and don’t even realize it!

Proper hydration is essential to a healthy body and life. Water helps digest our food, circulate our blood, create salvia, transport nutrients, and control our body temperature.

In this 9-glass series, you will learn all the benefits to drinking water, as well as what kind of water you should be drinking, tips on how to drink more water throughout your day, as well as what happens when you go overboard and drink too much water.

Stay tuned for another glassful next week!

Drink up!

Kim MacKenzie

Fitness Expert and President of Body Archer

The sun’s rays contain two types of ultraviolet radiation that affect your skin: UVA (ultraviolet radiation of relatively short wavelengths) and UVB (ultraviolet radiation of relatively longer wavelengths). UVB radiation burns the upper layers of skin (the epidermis), causing sunburns. UVA radiation penetrates to the lower layers of the epidermis causing the skin to age. These radiation trigger cells called melanocytes to produce the skin pigment which we call, melanin. The pigment absorbs the UV radiation in sunlight, to help protect skin cells from sun damage. Some people think having a tan gives their skin a healthy glow. But a tan really shows that the skin is trying to protect itself from sun damage.

Trips to tanning salons are particularly bad; they use UVA light which penetrates the skin more deeply than the sun’s rays. No matter what you may hear, the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation can lead to skin cancer. Even tanning products are not without risks, sunless sprays and pills can expose you to additional risks, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What about the vitamin D? There’s strong evidence that getting plenty of this vitamin prevents several deadly kinds of cancer.  “When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, it makes vitamin D which is good for you,” says Jody A. Levine, MD, a pediatrician and senior dermatology resident at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.“Indoor tanning provides radiation far in excess of what is needed to get enough vitamin D.” Levine and colleagues’ report appears in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.“Too much radiation exposure can actually remove vitamin D from the body,” she said. Radiation use has been declared a carcinogen by the National Institutes of Health.

You can protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays by staying indoors, but most people like to be outdoors at least some of the time. While you can’t undo skin damage, it’s never too late to start doing damage control now

Sunscreens

Sunscreens are labeled with an SPF (sun protection factor) number. In general, the higher the SPF number, the more protection the product provides against UV radiation.

Hats

One – third of skin cancers strike above the neck, so it’s wise to wear a hat for extra protection.

Lip balm with sunscreen

Skin cancers on the lips tend to be very aggressive and prone to spread.

Sunglasses

According to the Vision Council of America, 27 percent of Americans do not regularly wear protective sunglasses. Look for the pair that meets the criteria of the American National Standards Institute.

About the Author:

Simon Bukai owns and operates Vista Health Solutions, a health insurance marketplace. Simon’s experience in the industry has made him knowledgeable on many health and insurance related topics. Visit their site at NYHealthinsurer.com for more information.

 It is said that the teeth is stronger when it is in the shade of yellow. On the other hand, it does not look quite presentable and neat if a person shows his or her bright smile. There are numerous of reasons as to why most people would want their teeth whitened. Some of the reasons may include making a positive first impression; to reverse the years when the teeth have been stained by red wine, tea, coffee and soda; to look more presentable when attending special occasions; to achieve a younger appearance and to boost one’s self esteem and confidence with the use of a bright smile.

Among these reasons, the most common reason why majority of the people would opt to whiten their teeth is because they would want to reverse the effects that smoking and drinking tea, soda, red wine and coffee have done. Although there are immediate ways of having your teeth whitened by yourself or by a professional dentist, there are some important tasks that one should do before the actual whitening process.

Professional Evaluation

Set an Appointment

Whitening your teeth may involve some components that may be too strong for the natural dentures. Set an appointment with your dental professional or inquire during your routine examination about the facts, do’s and don’ts of whitening your teeth. The dentist would primarily assess the health status of your teeth and take concerns into consideration. They will then evaluate your needs and provide you with an advice as to how you can proceed with the whitening process with the best method. He or she may offer you a variety of options for your treatment.

Clean You’re Teeth

It is said that you can achieve better outcomes if you clean your teeth before you can proceed with the whitening procedure. You cannot achieve the best results when you proceed with the whitening process while there are bits of food, tartar or plaque attached to your teeth. Remove any tartar or plaque by cleaning so that your teeth can be whitened even in the tightest spaces.

Refer to a Shade Guide

 Before you can start with the whitening process, check out a shade guide to primarily identify which shade would match the recent shade of your teeth. This is important in determining your goal as to how many shades lighter you would want to have. you will also be able to use this for comparing the results of your whitening process to know if you have achieved your desired outcome.

Do-It-Yourself Routine

You can also try rinsing your mouth for about 30 seconds to make sure all tartar, plaque and food bits get taken off. Floss gently around each tooth so that you do not make your gums bleed. Rinse your toothbrush and apply an ample amount of toothpaste, about the size of a pea. Brush gently; make sure to include your front and back teeth, the roof of your mouth and your tongue. Rinse with lukewarm water and repeat to brush your teeth, this time without any toothpaste. Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash then rinse your mouth one last time.

Author Bio:

Taylor Blackwood associated with the Polished. At polished, we are dental Hygiene Specialist and our team works for teeth cleaning and teeth whitening in Scottsdale.