5 Brilliant Ways to Be Healthier Behind Your Office Desk

There are so many temptations when it comes to food in the office. Donuts on Mondays. Bagel Wednesdays. Not to mention there is always a cake or a cupcake taunting you every time a coworker's birthday rolls around. It can seem almost impossible to be healthy when your entire workplace is offering you otherwise unhealthy and fattening snacks every five seconds. But I'm here to tell you that there is a way to be healthier behind your office desk! And if you already caved in and ate that donut, don't feel as if the entire day is shot and you should just keep eating donuts. You can still salvage the day and turn your unhealthy morning letdown into a much healthier rest of the day!

1. Drink water.

You know how they say to drink 8 glasses of water a day? Well I'm going to say it again. You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day! Keep in mind that your body sometimes just thinks that it is hungry when really it is just dehydrated. Instead of picking up a bag of gummy bears in the break room, pour yourself a glass of water. I promise this will help curb your hunger cravings.

2. Skip the chips.

When you make the healthy decision to skip the fast food and opt for a deli sandwich for lunch, you can completely blow your quick health kick by adding a side of chips or a big glass of soda. Skip the bad stuff when you order out for lunch. Whether it is fast food or a five star rated restaurant, those meals are loaded with calories. Skip all the nonsense and just order the main meal. You will be eating half the calories that you would have eaten had you gotten a full meal, chips and all!

3. Keep healthy snacks in your office.

We all get hunger cravings throughout the day. But how we choose to subside the feeling differs between people. A quick trick I've learned is to keep healthy snacks in your office drawer. This way when you are feeling hungry, you won't be tempted to walk to the break room and grab some candy. You will have carrots and celery sticks a mere inches away from you!

4. Take a walk.

When your body starts to crave some sugar at that mid-afternoon point, take a walk! Chances are you are just tired and your body is craving something to wake itself up. Instead of giving in to a candy bar, take a quick stroll around the office. This will boost your energy level and gives you a quick exercise in the middle of the day!

5. Don't stress.

Everybody is stressed about certain things. Maybe you are stressed about your home and it's lack of alarm system. I know of a company called http://www.smithmonitoring.com/Hurst-home-security/ that has made me much less stressed about the safety of my home. And when I'm less stressed, I don't eat as much! You know what I'm talking about. You start to think about all the things going wrong in your life and you binge eat to take your mind off of it. And that binge eating usually results in the consumption of one too many cookies! If you minimize the amount of stress in your life, you are less likely to eat fattening foods to make yourself feel better. Less stress, less stress eating. Simple as that!

About the author: Carly is a health freak. She loves anything outdoorsy and all things athletic. She is always tweeting her activities and instagramming her food.

Three Top Reasons Why an Emergency Fund is Important

Do you often wonder why an emergency fund is important? Is this a necessity or a matter of choice?

Setting money aside is one of the most significant aspects of your financial plan. When you're faced with an issue, you need the peace of mind that you have access to cash that you can use. Here are some three top reasons why an emergency fund is important.

Health Issues

You could be faced with a medical condition that prevents you from working each day. What happens when you've exhausted all your sick pay? When you're too sick to work, you can rely on your emergency fund to manage your medical expenses and other personal expenses that you have to cover.

Unexpected Job Loss

Are you single with only one source of income? If you only have one job, you need the confidence of having access to money that you will need when you're no longer employed. Try to save enough money that covers at least one year's worth of expenses.

Unexpected Home Repairs

At some point, you might have to deal with unexpected home repairs. If you're a homeowner, you have the important duty to pay for the costs of all the home repairs. These may consist of heating and air conditioning repairs, water damages, electrical issues, roof repairs, plumbing repairs, and a host of other problems. It is less stressful when you have an emergency fund to manage the costs for the repairs that you need to make your home more comfortable and functional.

Key Takeaway

One major rule for you to keep in mind is to always build an emergency fund before an emergency occurs. With a sound financial plan, you will have fewer worries when you're faced with a financial issue.

Best Materials for Non-Toxic Dumbbells: A Safer Choice for Smarter Fitness

What are the best materials for non-toxic dumbbells? In the age of wellness-driven living, fitness gear is evolving beyond performance. Now it’s all about purity, sustainability, and safety. Are dumbbells safe? While they may seem simple, the materials used in their construction can harbor harmful chemicals that impact air quality, skin health, and overall safety. For a cleaner workout and a healthier home gym, here are the best materials to consider when choosing non-toxic dumbbells.

1. Stainless Steel: Sleek, Durable, and Hypoallergenic

Stainless steel stands at the top when it comes to non-toxic dumbbell materials. Free from lead, BPA, and phthalates, it offers unmatched durability without the health risks associated with chemical coatings or synthetic compounds.

Benefits: Rust-resistant, recyclable, non-porous

Why it's great: Its sleek surface doesn’t absorb sweat or odors, making it ideal for hygienic, long-term use.

2. Cast Iron: Timeless Strength with a Safe Finish

Cast iron dumbbells have been popular in gyms for generations—and for good reason. These weights are often powder-coated to enhance grip and prevent rust, offering a non-toxic alternative to vinyl or painted coatings.

Benefits: Heavy-duty, long lifespan, recyclable

Watch out for: Vinyl-dipped versions that may contain PVC or other chemical additives.

3. Natural Rubber: Eco-Friendly Grip and Comfort

Natural rubber, derived from latex trees, is gaining popularity for its soft-touch, shock-absorbing properties. Used mostly in handles or encasements, it’s completely biodegradable and free from synthetic toxins.

Benefits: Non-slip grip, chemical-free, sustainable

Why it's great: Safe for skin contact and perfect for allergy-sensitive users.

4. Medical-Grade Silicone: The Soft Yet Strong Contender

Silicone-coated dumbbells offer comfort without compromise. When made from BPA-free, medical-grade materials, silicone provides excellent grip and is completely non-toxic—even under high temperatures or heavy use.

Benefits: Ergonomic, durable, inert

Tip: Look for certifications like “food-grade” or “medical-grade” to ensure safety.

Materials to Avoid

When shopping for dumbbells, avoid these:

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Often found in vinyl coatings, PVC can off-gas harmful chemicals like phthalates.

Painted finishes: Especially if not labeled lead-free, chipped paint can release toxic particles.

Neoprene (unless certified safe): Some varieties include synthetic additives that may trigger irritation.

Final Thoughts

Choosing non-toxic dumbbells isn’t just about avoiding toxins—it’s about embracing smarter, more sustainable fitness practices. Whether you’re building a minimalist home gym or revamping a studio space, prioritize materials like stainless steel, cast iron, natural rubber, and silicone for optimal safety and performance. Your body and environment will thank you.

Three Powerful Ways to Relieve Stress

How do you relieve your stress? There are major stress contributors that can affect our personal lives as well as our health. However, in order to maintain your health you should find different techniques to relieve the stress factors in your life. Stress can be quite extreme and very harmful to the body. Stress can weaken the body and make you vulnerable to various illnesses such as heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, migraines, gastritis, and many others.

The good news is stress can be relieved naturally. Here are some tips that people are using to get relief.

* Young Living Essential Oils for Your Health - You can use these in your bath or simply inhale directly from the bottle. These oils are very powerful and have a wonderful healing effect on the body.

*Daily Walking is very helpful to release important brain chemicals known as endorphins. By walking at a comfortable pace, you're able to feel more relaxed and have a better mood.

*Weekly Massage is very effective to help you relax your muscles, especially if you suffer from chronic stress.

Hopefully you will find these tips helpful and improve your physical health.

How Many Bottles of Water Do You Drink Per Day? You Need Super Fresh Drinking Water

How many bottles of water do you drink per day? Super fresh drinking water is the most essential liquid that you need to survive. Did you know that most of your body's weight comes from water?

You may not be aware that around 70% of your body is made up of water. It is also known that the brain and heart have a composition of 73% water. The lungs contain about 83% water, the skin contains 64% water, and the muscles and kidneys contain about 79% water. Your bones also contain about 31% water.

How many 16.9 bottles of water should you be drinking?

Consider the 8x8 rule (8-8ounces of water each day) to determine how much you should be consuming to maintain proper health. According to some health experts, you need to drink at least four 16.9 bottles of water each day. This is equivalent to the 8x8 (64 ounces) rule. Some experts also confirm that you need at least 75 ounces of water each day.

If you're physically active, you may also need to consume more water to prevent dehydration. Your body loses electrolytes and water when you're sweating during your workouts. For this reason, you need to replace the amount of water you lose each time you work out. 

Benefits of Drinking Super Fresh Drinking Water

Super fresh drinking water is vital for several functions in your body. These include:

regulating the temperature of your body such as sweating and respiration

flushing body waste

lubricating joints

forming saliva that helps with digestion

delivering oxygen throughout your body

helping the brain to produce hormones and neurotransmitters

keeping your mucosal membranes moist

You can see that water is beneficial for your overall health. These are good reasons for you to consider increasing your water intake. You may experience certain health issues if you're not consuming enough water.

What happens when you don't drink enough water?

You can experience these side effects:

persistent headaches

constipation

skin health issues

dry mouth 

weight gain and slow metabolism

fatigue

mental fog

increased risk of strokes

Other Ways to Consume Water

Keep in mind there are other ways for you to consume water. How about drinking coconut water? Coconut water is a great option in contrast to plain water. It is rich in minerals and hydrates the body. You can sip coconut water throughout the day to maintain your fluid goals.

Water-rich foods can also help to keep you hydrated. Some of these include cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, oranges, celery, lettuce, and honeydew melon. These foods are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support health.

Four Things to Know About Getting Your First Credit Card

You're probably enthusiastic about getting your first credit card. Your friends and family members using credit cards could have inspired you to start using one. Whatever the case, it's a good idea for you to be a credit card holder and to reap the benefits that you may receive. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of before you begin your credit card hunt. Here are four things to know about getting your first credit card.

Why Do You Need One?

Before you start the application process, think about why you need a credit card. When it comes to credit cards, you should be certain that you're applying for all the right reasons. Make a list of the reasons why you need a credit card. You could need one for emergency funding, building a good credit report, earning purchase rewards, managing a budget, online shopping safety, and fraud protection. You might also need a credit card because it's more convenient instead of carrying around cash.

Always Shop Around

Comparison shopping is key when you're on the hunt for a great credit card. Don't be quick to settle for the first credit card that you're offered. As a first-timer, you can shop around to learn about a variety of credit cards that are available and which ones fit your needs.

Pay On Time

Always pay your credit card bills on time. Your credit score is likely to increase when you pay your bills in full and on time. Keep in mind that your credit score can also drop if your payments are late. You could also be subjected to other penalties for late payments.

Do Your Research

Don't forget to learn as much as you can about getting a credit card and how to use it responsibly. You should also be aware that you can get a rejection when you apply for a credit card. Don't get too frustrated if you get a rejection from credit card issuers. Keep in mind that most credit card issuers will provide you with an explanation for the rejection. Some common reasons for your credit card application being denied may include your low income, unstable employment history, too much debt, no credit history, or too much credit card debt.

How to Save Money on Groceries

Today we’re going to discuss how to save money on groceries. With the high food prices, it makes sense for you to follow strategic steps to save money on grocery costs. Here’s how you can cut back on your shopping bills.

The first step to saving money on groceries is to make a shopping list. Shoppers tend to spend too much money when they don’t have a shopping list and choose more food items they intend to buy. A grocery list makes it easier for you to stick to your budget.

The next step to save money on groceries is to plan your meals each week. This strategy prevents you from spending money you don’t need. Create a list of foods and snacks you need each week to avoid making impulse purchases.

Next tip, avoid large crowds. You can feel overwhelmed in a crowded or busy grocery store. Large crowds make it more difficult for you to save money on food brand items, which makes it easier for you to spend beyond your budget.

The next strategy is not to shop with family members. Shopping with family members or young children may cause you to buy something on impulse. You can avoid the costly risks of overspending by shopping alone.

Don’t forget to shop online to save money on groceries. Shopping online gives you the convenience of easily comparing prices across different stores, finding discounts, and helping you to experience a no-pressure sales experience. By shopping online, you also have the convenience to avoid large crowds and get same-day delivery.