The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and I’m fumbling around in the cupboard in search for the largest mug humanly possible. Like the majority of teenagers, I am not a chipper morning person. Unless I’ve been awake for approximately an hour and have chugged at least two cups of tea or coffee, I communicate in abrupt, one word sentences and useless hand gestures that leave my family and friends flummoxed. Only once an absurd amount of caffeine has entered my system am I actually ready to face the day. Lately, I’ve realized that I, like most teenagers, suffer from an extreme caffeine addiction, and it’s the probably the unhealthiest aspect of my life, and one of the easiest to fix.

For many teenagers, cutting caffeine out of their daily routine might seem impossible. Everyone is just so insanely busy. Most of us depend on caffeine to keep us going from when we pull ourselves out of bed at six in the morning until we can finally fall back into it at seventeen hours later. But even cutting back a little bit of your coffee intake every day can lead to great outcomes for

It’s that time again. 2011 is coming to an end which can mean only one thing. No, I’m not talking about the parties and celebrations that come along with New Year’s Eve. I’m talking about the dreaded, yet expected part of beginning the New Year. I am talking about that list of New Year’s resolutions. We all make them, and some of us actually expect to fulfill them. For those who don’t expect to reach their goals, I say it can be done. All it takes is some sensible goals, and most importantly, the willpower to start accomplishing those resolutions.

The first step to boosting willpower consists of realizing that we are only human. We have to be realistic in our goals so that the chance of accomplishing them actually stands as a possibility. The secret is to start out small, and to work up to overcoming those mega goals that we strive towards. Starting with small goals gives the chance of fulfilling them a greater probability.

We are ready to make changes in our lives. The goals have been set, so how do we go? Finding the willpower to fulfill these goals, no matter how small, can be difficult. Staying positive is a crucial part of improving willpower. When we remember the reason of why the goal was set in the first place, and the rewards that will come with the fulfilled resolutions, it becomes more likely that we will be more serious about achieving the goals, therefore becoming more likely that

Being healthy isnt all about eating good foods and exercising. Many things come into play when your living a healthy lifestyle. While eating fruits and vegetables is important, and getting at least an hour of exercise a day, you must make good decisions.

Drinking water instead of pop is a good way to start. It is proven that water actually increases your energy more than pop. Pop is full of calories and sugar that cause you to gain weight. Thats where you need to exercise more.

Being over weight can cause many problems. People with weight problems tend to feel tired and lazy all the time. A good way to get at least a little physical activity is using the stairs instead of an elevator when possible. Using the stairs will increase your heart rate and get your blood flowing to also increase your energy. With more energy you will be much more refreshed and be able to work harder in school and stay more focused. Going for a walk is a great way to

Have you ever thought about what you are consuming when you eat food from the supermarket? How often do you eat out in a week? The rising rate of obesity in the United States is caused by the over consumption of calories. According to statistics, one in three of the world’s adults are overweight and one in ten is obese. With increased modernization and a world-wide explosion of highly processed foods, it is just easier to eat out or “buy the cheap stuff.” In spite of our busy lifestyles, we must take into consideration what we are putting into our bodies.

The question," Whats the difference," rings in my ears every time I tell someone that the food they are eating is a genetically modified organism (GMO) or if its USDA approved organic. Little do they know, the difference lies in the genetic background of the food.

GMO foods are usually produced with synthetic ingredients and toxic herbicides and pesticides that can harm an average person. You may look at an apple in a local supermarket and think that is what an apple looks like, but the size is neither of the ancestor it came from nor the shape. Our society has come to conclusion that produce for example has to be perfect. Therefore, companies like Monsanto have taken the seeds of the everyday apple, strawberry, potato, etc. and changed its genetic background into its “perfect” size, shape, and taste we have come accustomed to. Also GMO foods are usually picked before ripened causing them to not have enough sufficient nutrients our bodies need to function properly.

On the other hand, there a certain individuals who have been trying to preserve the ancestral background of our foods. These types of foods usually have the label USDA Organic plastered on them. This seal indicates that 95 percent of the ingredients are organic and for raising produce 100 percent of the tools from the seeds to the soil has to be toxin-free and rated organic or non-GMO.

So when you look into a local co-op or farmer’s market look at the produce and see, taste