Benefits of a Jump Rope Workout

Jump roping dates back to early human history, when the
Egyptians used to use vines for jumping over. Jumping is a
natural human movement-children naturally love to jump.
Adults may feel more inhibited, choosing not to jump simply
for the fun of it.

Add a rope, however, and you suddenly have a purpose and
valid excuse to jump for fun. Jumping is a great way to
increase your heart rate. There are several benefits of a
jump rope workout.

Aerobic Exercise and Health

Most of us now know that aerobic exercise is beneficial in
many ways. Aerobic means "with oxygen," and aerobic
exercise trains the body to use oxygen more effectively.
Aerobic exercise involves continuous movement of the large
muscle groups that causes one's heart rate to increase.

Regular aerobic exercise results in a more efficient heart.
Oxygen travels through the blood, and a heart that can pump
more blood with fewer beats per minute is a healthier
heart. Exercising for twenty to sixty minutes (depending on
your fitness level) per session is usually enough for most
people to maintain heart health.

Regular aerobic exercise has shown to have a host of
benefits in addition to improved cardiovascular health. It
can help the body manage insulin more effectively, improve
one's overall outlook, and improve sleep, among many other
positive side effects.

Aerobic exercise can also help maintain joint and bone
strength, because weight-bearing exercises promote bone
health. Benefits of a jump rope workout include its simple
to do, easy to start and inexpensive to continue. When jump
roping, you can easily reach your target heart rate. You
don't need a lot of space, and you can easily take a rope
with you when you travel.

Aerobic Exercise and Injury

There are generally two types of aerobic exercise: low
impact and high impact. Low impact exercises are those
where one foot is always touching the ground. High impact
exercises are those where the feet leave the ground, such
as with jumping.

However, some benefits of a jump rope workout can also be
seen as a potential area of risk. Because jump roping
involves jumping, it is an ideal aerobic exercise because
you can reach your target heart rate and increase your
jumping speed as you improve your fitness level. However,
jumping, particularly at a faster speed, also increases
your chances of injury.

If you have joint problems, high impact exercise may not be
the wise choice. Also, as you become fatigued when jumping,
the chances of getting injured increases because fatigue
can increase the chances of losing focus and tripping or
twisting an ankle.

If you enjoy jumping rope, you'll probably experiment with
different styles of jumping as you become more skilled.
These alterations can also increase your chances of
tripping and getting injured.

Jump Smartly

If you decide that the benefits of a jump rope workout are
worth the potential risks, consider these tips. First, as
with all exercise programs, talk with your doctor. He or
she can review your medical history and determine if high
impact aerobics are a safe option for you. Once you are
cleared to jump rope, choose a smart place. Choose the most
"giving" surface as possible to jump on.

If you have access to a suspended wood floor, that's a
great option. If you must jump outdoors, avoid grass, as
the variations in the ground may cause you to twist an
ankle.

However, cement is one of the worst surfaces you can
choose, because it is so hard. Your body will absorb all
the impact. Pavement, while still hard, is a much better
surface. Another option is to purchase a rubber exercise
mat designed specifically for use with high-impact exercise.

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Lynn VanDyke is a master trainer and fitness nutritionist.
She has authored the wildly popular ebook called Melt the
Fat (http://www.melt-the-fat.com), and she offers
personalized online personal training at
http://www.TrainerLynn.com

Why Eat Organic Food? The Benefits of Organic Food and the Dangers of Non-Organic Food

It is hardly surprising that chemicals strong enough to
kill insects and plant infections can be harmful to the
human body and environment. There are literally hundreds of
permitted pesticides, insectisides, fungicides, hormones,
antibiotics and other chemical additives present in
non-organic food, not to mention food additives and
flavourings introduced after cultivation and in food
processing. All important reasons for eating organic food.

Over 3,000 high-risk toxins are present in the US food
supply, which by law are excluded from organic food. These
include 73 pesticides classified by the Environmental
Protection Agency as potential carcinogens. Pesticides also
leak into the water supply - for example, a 1996 study by
the Environmental Working Group found 96 per cent of all
water samples taken from 748 towns across the US contained
the pesticide atrazine.

Toxic metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury enter the
food supply through industrial pollution of soil and
groundwater and through machinery used in the processing
and packaging of foods. For example, lead solder used to
seal tin cans imparts residue into the food, despite the
adversity to health. Cadmium has links with lung, prostate
and testicular cancer and mercury is toxic to brain cells
and has been linked to autism and Alzheimer's disease.
Heavy metals damage nerve function, block haemoglobin
production causing anaemia and contribute to lower IQ and
diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Organic food
safe-guard's against toxic metals.

Solvents are also used in commercially processed foods
which can damage white blood cells, lowering immune
defence. Further, the solvents benzene and toluene, have
known links with numerous cancers.

Produce imported from developing countries may contain
agrochemicals that have been outlawed in developed
countries.

<b>Cell health</b>

Other agricultural chemicals have been found to be
deleterious to cell health, such as PCP (pentachlorophenol)
that can cause DNA fragmentation in animals, as well as
numerous other chemicals found to damage cellular membranes
and negatively effect the functioning of mitochondria.
These include the insecticide endosulfan and the herbicide
paraquat, as well as chemicals 2-4-D, prathion and dinoseb.
Pesticides such as chlopyrifos, endrin and fenthion have
been shown to over stimulate certain enzymes involved in
chemical signalling, causing imbalance that has been linked
to inflammatory conditions, psoriasis and atherosclerosis.

<b>Children at risk</b>

Organic foods may be vitally important to protect children
from the damaging effects of these toxic contaminants. Two
separate reports, from the Natural Resources Defence
Council (1989) and the Environmental Working Group (1998),
revealed that millions of American children were exposed to
levels of pesticides from food that exceeded limits
considered to be safe. These include neuro-toxins that can
be hazardous to the developing brain and nervous system, as
well as potential carcinogens that some researchers believe
can be a particular risk to children and adolescents during
periods of high growth and breast development. The Benefits
of Organic Foods

Organic fruits and vegetables grown from clean, natural
soil with a rich and balanced mineral content, are not only
free from chemical contaminants, but win hands down with
regard to flavour and offer a fuller range of nutrients.
Non-organic equivalents contain more water and less
vitamins and minerals. Danish research published in the
August 2003 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry revealed significantly higher amounts of
flavonoids in the urine and blood samples of those on an
organically-grown as opposed to conventionally-grown diet.

<b>10 reasons to go organic</b>.

The Soil Association, a UK-based registered charity and
organic certifying body, lists 10 reasons for going
organic. These are:

1. To protect future generations
2. To pay the real cost of real food
3. To have an independent guarantee
4. to protect water quality
5. To enjoy greater flavour and nutrition
6. To keep chemicals off your plate
7. To reduce global warming and save energy
8. To prevent soil erosion
9. To help small farmers
10. To help restore biodiversity

<b>12 Best and Worst Non-Organic Foods:</b>

It might not always be possible to get the organically
grown fruit and vegetables you desire, in which case, the
Environmental Working Group have highlighted the 12
cleanest and 12 riskiest non-organic foods as listed below.

12 Cleanest non-organic foods:

Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn
(though avoid genetically modified corn), Kiwi, Mangoes,
Onions, Papaya, Pineapples, Peas

12 riskiest non-organic foods:

Apples, Bell Peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes, Nectarines,
Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries

<b>Organic superfoods</b>

As well as changing to organic food in your diet, be sure
to add plenty of superfoods! Superfoods are the kings and
queens of the plant kingdom with miraculous benefits - the
most potent, anti aging, antioxidant rich, nutrient dense,
disease fighting, beautifying, immune boosting, mood
enhancing foods on the planet!

These include organic vegetables like spinach and brocolli
that may already feature in your diet, to more unusual
foods, like bee pollen, goji berries or coconut oil.
Organic coconut oil can actually speed up your metabolism
and help you loose weight! It is also anti-microbial and
fights against bacteria, viruses and funghi. There are
numerous other superfoods, from the more common to unusual
members of the plant kingdom.

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MIRACLE SUPERFOODS
http://www.miracle-superfoods.com
THE PINK DRINK
http://www.the-pink-drink.com
NATURAL NUTRITION FOR DOGS AND CATS
http://www.pet-nutrition-guide.com