Change is often difficult, and in regard to health, it can be overwhelming and discouraging to the point of giving up. However, by focusing on simplicity, it might be easier to start living a healthier life than you realize.

I recently read a book called The Power of Less, and although it’s about productivity, it’s principles are very much related to the discipline needed to implement and follow a healthy lifestyle. The author, Leo Babauta, is a minimalist by nature and is passionate about the topic of simple productivity. In contrast to the typical productivity philosophies that aim to help you cram even more work into your already busy day, the idea of simple productivity is to be more efficient, practical, and logical with your time so that you have more opportunity to simply be happy and experience the joy of living.

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It’s fairly common knowledge that trans fat is unhealthy, but many people still don’t realize how unhealthy it actually is. Trans fat is still quite common, and as such, it’s important that you’re aware of the dangers that it presents and that you’re able to identify it on an ingredients list.

Unfortunately, the food industry has a lot of incentive to continue using trans fat. Because of the myth that saturated fat causes heart disease, trans fat provides a convenient way for food manufacturers to give their products the consistency of solid fat without having to list saturated fat on the nutrition label. Margarine is an excellent example. Furthermore, trans fat is less expensive, has a longer shelf life, is easier to bake with, and has a reduced need for refrigeration. As such, trans fat provides a lot of potential for reducing production costs and increasing profits. However, the one factor that’s not fully taken into account, which is also the most important factor, is your health.

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Most people don’t have a good understanding of what their strengths are, and even those who do often neglect them in favor of focusing on their weaknesses. This may very well be preventing you from living a better life.

Because our shortcomings tend to draw the most attention and frustration, it’s easy to focus on them more so than our strengths. As such, many people work diligently on improving their weaknesses to balance their strengths, but this may be one case where balance isn’t necessarily a good thing.

The Inspiring Story of Rudy

Chances are that you’ve seen the movie Rudy or are at least familiar with the story. The main character had always dreamed of playing football for Notre Dame, and despite being much too small to play college football at this high of a level, he was determined to do it anyway. (more…)