Health

Are you sure that’s what you want to do?

For the past, I don’t know, say, 300 days I've watched backpackers sleep until the late afternoon, imbibe in horrible diets and, drink, smoke and do drugs. While this may not be the most healthy diet, the fact is, a lot of travelers and backpackers are pretty far from actually being healthy, or caring about things such as health (or personal hygiene). While some people backpack to broaden their perspectives, many travel to get fucked up. The strange thing about this, though, is sometimes they try and do ridiculous feats of physical strength, in the midst of being drunken sloths.

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Needs and wants: Learn the difference

Many of us have a problem distinguishing between needs and wants. It's a first world problem, as evidenced by the amount of average U.S. household credit card debt. If you're wondering, that's $7,093 when everyone is taken into account and $15,204 when only debt holders are taken into account. I, too, have been guilty of convincing myself I need something when I don't.

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The Magnificent Seven

I was gonna do a series of posts about the upper and lower minors, but Spec is killin' it on MarinersTalk w/r/t that, so I figured I'd do something a little more free-form. Just the guys who've caught my eye early. It wasn't too long ago that we were looking for the Three Little Pigs down on the farm, some bacon with ANY sort of sizzle. We have a lot more sizzle now.

Frugal recipe resources

I've written a couple of times before about how groceries can really cause you to eat into your family budget (no pun intended). Coming from a home where money was very tight as a kid, I know how to stretch a grocery budget and make meals cheaply. Unfortunately, those tricks I learned back then weren't always the most nutritious. Thankfully, the Internet is full of creative and health conscious people who also need to save a few dollars now and then.

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Three post-run vegetarian snacks

Sometimes an awesome run can go awry when proper post-run nutrition doesn't occur. As tempting as it may be to reach for chips, ice cream or other tasty enticements, consider giving your body the nutrients and vitamins it needs after a workout. The three vegetarian snacks below aren't necessarily creative, but rather simple combinations of mostly whole, raw foods that pair nicely together. Happy running - and snacking!

1) Almonds and pineapple

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Flu virus symptoms

No one wants to catch the flu, especially while traveling. New strains are developing that have world health organizations on high alert. What’s a traveler to do?

First off, check the travel advisories for the countries you are visiting. Secondly, take good care of yourself before, during and while traveling. Get plenty of rest, eat healthily and drink plenty of water. Flu symptoms can still develop in one to three days after being exposed.If you’re generally healthy and catch the flu, most likely you'll feel better in a little over a week.

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Health organization hands out endangered species condoms

A health organization gave out 15,000 endangered species condoms on Earth Day in an effort to gain attention to planetary overpopulation. The Center for Biological Diversity packed up the prophylactics and headed out to more than 20 Earth Day events to hand out to people in an awkward example of environmental conservation.

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Six calorie and carb counting apps

Gone are the days where, if you're watching your calories, you need to carry around a little notebook to keep track. Now your smartphone can keep track of all that tedious information for you, with just a few taps. Apps are useful whether you're trying to lose weight or just trying to find an easier way to keep track of food intake and exercise in order to lead a healthier lifestyle. Here are some of the top calorie counters for iOS and Android devices.

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Seven amazing luxury spas

Vacations take many forms, from going on an epic adventure to just laying around the house and enjoying some time off. Sometimes, however, one wants to get pampered and enjoy living like a king for a while. For these purpose, there are spa resorts. Naturally, the quality of spa resorts varies greatly. Most cities have local spas where one can go and get a massage or some other relaxing treatments for a reasonable price.

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Go meatless to improve your health and your budget

Going vegetarian can help your health and your wallet. If you can't stand the thought of going without meat permanently, consider choosing just one day a week to go meatless for all your meals. Studies show that going without meat one day a week can reduce your risk of several diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even cancer.

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