What’s Your Signature Drink?

By Wieke von Scheidt

Photo Credit: invitojazz via Compfight cc

 

It’s 9pm, you just arrived at your local bar, when the bartender doesn’t even give you a second to think about your drink choice. You don’t want to tell him that you are not sure yet because who knows when he is going to come back to you, so the usual happens; you order the same old drink that you have, every time you go out. Everybody has their personal signature drink, whether it is because they love it so much, they are rushed to order every time they go out, or they just don’t know what else to order because they are afraid to try something new.

I have to say the choices of alcoholic beverages are endless and sometimes a bit overwhelming. Personally, I am a fan of cocktails and I fit into any of the three categories above to why I order the same old drink every time I go out. In fact, I actually have two signature drinks; one I love to drink when I am out and just want to have a relaxing evening, and one for the quick buzz. Before I tell you my personal favorites, I would like to talk a little bit more about the so called signature drinks.

The unique beverages have been around for a long time and are often developed after the spirit produced. Some drinks even have stories of their origin. The martini is the most famous cocktail and many variations have been created since its origin. The first Martini poured, was in the 19^th century and was called Martinez, after a small Californian town. At that time it was a sweeter version and contained sweet vermouth, gin, bitters and was garnished with a maraschino cherry. In the 20^th century the martini changed closer to our known dry variation, only containing gin, bitters, and vermouth. James Bond and its famous line “shaken not stirred”, often comes to peoples mind when speaking of a Martini. The Bond version however, is made with vodka and was born much later than the original. Whichever way Martini Lovers will drink it, the traditional Martini will not go away and remain a signature drink.

Today signature drinks keep gaining in popularity because they represent the unique culture and atmosphere of a place. Therefore many bars and restaurants create their own signature drink that they offer on their menu. My personal favorite for a quiet, relaxed evening is the Mojito, and the one I drink when I need a quick buzz is the Incredible Hulk, because it is very strong.

If you have any signature drinks, and even a story behind it, please tell us about it.

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

By Wieke von Scheidt

www.sarabozich.com

Summer is almost here, or at least we hope it is. This is the time of year when many take vacation to travel, and relax. Kids have long breaks and parents can use up some of their vacation days. If you are traveling this summer it’s a good thing to know some ways to stay fit. Health is something that is often forgotten while traveling. On your next trip try to keep some of these tips in mind.

Explore the Area

Before you travel, plan your trip. Buy a map or a travel guide with interesting places to visit. Once you get to your destination be sure to get out of your accommodation at least once a day and walk around outside. Going for a long walk, whether you are exploring the city, or strolling along the beach is a great way to relax the mind and keep your body going. If it’s raining you can visit museums, shopping centers, or other indoor places that allow you to walk around.

Eat Healthy

While on vacation it is always easy to just get a quick meal from any fast food restaurant, but it is better to take an extra five minutes to bring your own meal. It will also be better for your wallet. For the little hunger in-between you can pack snacks like apples, bananas, and my personal favorite, granola bars. If you still decide to go out to eat choose a restaurant that serves a variety of good foods and make sure to get some vegetables with your meals.

Be Active

Many hotels have amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, and so on. Even if the place you stay at does not offer any of these services, get creative. If the weather is nice, plug your headphones in and go out for a run, hike, or rent a bike. This is also a great way to explore the area.

Take the Stairs

If you stay in a room that is a couple floors up, and not all the way in the sky consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Have you been sitting all day, or spent a lazy day lounging by the beach? It will feel good to walk some stairs and maybe stretch. Anywhere you go you will probably find stairs, so make it a habit to use them.

Bring a Workout DVD

In case your hotel does not have any amenities you can always bring some workout DVDs and exercise in your room. Many hotel rooms have DVD players, or you can just bring your own laptop. This is a great way to get a quick workout in, especially if you don’t like exercising around people.

Vacations are a wonderful time to disconnect from our busy lives and truly relax. This does not mean you should take a break from your healthy lifestyle you normally follow. If you are used to working out and staying fit, don’t blow all that hard work by skipping it completely during your vacation. And if you love staying active it should not be a hard task to keep it up while traveling. Do you have any tips on how to stay fit and healthy while traveling? Share your tips and tell us how you stay active below, on our Facebook, or Tweet us.

Effects of sleep deprivation on hard-pressed students

This might interest some of our followers so I decided to reblog it.

Team CLAREX

MEDIC FINDER

It?s not uncommon to hear of undergraduates pulling all-nighters to prepare for exams or finish papers. Even though a number of studies have shown that sleep deprivation is unhealthy and can actually be counterproductive, that does little to sway the average student when deadlines…
Effects of sleep deprivation on hard-pressed students

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5 Beneficial Effects of Caffeine

By Wieke von Scheidt

Source: www.luwakcafe.com

Last week I was talking about the negative effects caffeine can have on the human body. What many don’t know is that caffeine can actually be beneficial to us. Here are five interesting facts about the advantages of caffeine.

1. It Reduces the Risk of Suicide

According to a study by Havard’s School of Public Health people who drink more than two cups of coffee a day are more stable emotionally. The suicide risk is cut by 45 percent possibly because caffeine’s stimulant effect helps boost people’s moods. www.aarp.org

2. Caffeine increases Performance

Caffeine slightly increase heart and breathing rate preparing the body for peak performance. While working out it can also increase muscle contraction, which in turn leads to the growth of the muscle. This happens because caffeine blocks adenosine receptors attached to muscle fibers causing a stronger burst of calcium. In order for a muscle to contract, calcium must be released within a fiber.  www.menshealth.com

3. Lowers The Risk of Diseases

A study lead by NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that caffeine reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by four to eight times. This is presumed because caffeine keeps dopamine molecules active. www.aarp.org

4. The Highest Intake of Antioxidants

Another study completed in 2005 states that coffee contains more antioxidants than any other food or drink. Even though some vegetables and fruits contain a good amount, the body absorbs the most antioxidants from coffee. www.huffingtonpost.com

5. Good for Your Liver

People who drink one cup of coffee everyday are 20 percent less likely to develop  liver cirrhosis, which is autoimmune disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption that could lead to liver failure and cancer. “Consuming coffee seems to have some protective benefits against alcoholic cirrhosis, and the more coffee a person consumes the less risk they seem to have of being hospitalized or dying of alcoholic cirrhosis” , said Arthur L Klatsky the lead author of the study. www.huffingtonpost.com

In conclusion, caffeinated drinks in moderation are ok. However, it is beneficial to follow a healthy diet and be physically active. More and more people drink coffee and overtime it has become much easier to access with local drive-through coffee shops across the country. We often drink caffeinated beverages to fight exhaustion. However sometimes, especially in the afternoon when our body and mind start to shut down caffeine is not the best solution, especially when we are trying to go to sleep a couple hours later. This is why we have developed CLAREX, it is a perfect supplement to help you stay focused without the added stimulant.

Five Negative Effects of Caffeine

By Wieke von Scheidt

image: www.myfittribe.com

 

For so many people coffee is a morning elexir, they can’t live without. For those drinking coffee every day it has become a ritual that is hard to break. I myself love coffee, hot coffee, ice coffee, coffee with flavor, cappuccino, espresso, you name it. Some like their morning cup black; others add a lot of milk, and/or sugar. Despite many health benefits of caffeine, we often don’t think about the negative effects the black substance, we infuse into our body, can have.  One of my very close friends drinks two large cups every single day, which raised the question to me. How bad is caffeine for us? I did a little bit of research and summed up some of the main points.

 

1. More than 4 cups of coffee daily increase the risk of early death. 

A study completed by Mayo Clinic shows the risk of death increased by 21% in men who drank more than 4 cups a day. However, the study has slight discrepancies because many of those that reported their high caffeine intake also smoked and have poor fitness. NBC

 

2. More than 4 cups a day can also cause side effects:

1. Insomnia
2. Nervousness
3. Restlessness
4. Irritability
5. Stomach upset
6. Fast heartbeat
7. Muscle tremors

mayoclinic

 

3. Can disturb Your Sleep

Adults need seven to eight hours of sleep per night. When you lose sleep because of work, travel, stress, or other reasons, people often try to mask their lack of sleep with caffeine. This will help you stay awake during the day, but it will also make it harder for those using caffeine to fall asleep at night. Forbes states that coffee has a six-hour half-life, meaning it will take twenty-four hours to work its way out of your system. 25% will still remain in your body after having a cup of coffee at eight a.m. in the morning. forbes

 

4. Silently Kills Emotional Intelligence

An article written by Forbes addresses the impact caffeine has on our emotional response. The substance triggers the release of adrenaline, which is a substance that is released in the body when we feel a strong emotion, such as fear. These emotions can overrun our behavior when caffeine is infused, putting the body and brain into a hyper-aroused state. forbes

 

5. The Body Can Become Dependent On Caffeine

The positive stimulating effect caffeine gives people, can become an addiction for some, said Steven E. Meredith, postdoctoral research fellow at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“Caffeine activates many of the same behavioral and neuropharmacological mechanisms that are activated by other reinforcers, including other drugs of abuse.

And, like many other reinforcers, caffeine is associated with various positive subjective effects like increased wellbeing, sociability, and feelings of energy and alertness. For this reason and others, a small percentage of the population develops caffeine use disorder.”

He said that the absence of caffeine in a person who drinks coffee on a regular basis can cause withdrawal symptoms, and trigger headaches, irritability, depression, and concentration difficulties. medicalnewstoday

Caffeine has so many effects on our brain and body, not all of them are negative. If you want to know what positive effects caffeine might have, stay tuned, and keep following our blog.

 

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How Most of You Probably Spend the Weekends!

How Most Of You Probably Spend The Weekend!

 

It’s Friday and you just got out of work.

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You get all dressed up.

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Your friends are all ready to go.

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It’s never too early to start drinking.

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So you can get down on the dance floor.

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Before you know it the evening gets all crazy.

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The next thing you know, the night is over.

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But before you go to sleep, it’s time for a snack.

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After that, you and your friends pass out.

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The next morning you have the biggest

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The only thing that can help you now, is CLAREX.

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So you are ready to go again.

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On Monday you come back to work,

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              Have a great weekend!

 

           

    Team CLAREX

 

 

 

CLAREX in the Classroom

By Stephanie Slicis

As any student or former student knows, it can be difficult to stay on task in class. Distractions could be caused by learning a hard topic, monotone teacher, or even the pretty bird right outside the window. We’ve all been there, don’t deny it.

However long you are distracted for, you will miss something that could be fundamental. One second off task could create one confusing hour of trying to catch up. Here are some tips that will help you stay focused no matter how many birds are outside your window.

1. Be Well Rested

I know, I know, you have heard this advice countless times, but it needs to be reiterated. Our schedules are constantly busy and it seems like sleep is the first thing we sacrifice to get our other tasks done.

Planning your day ahead of time will allow you to arrange making time for sleep. If some of the things on your agenda do not get accomplished, evaluate how crucial it is to get them done that day. Can it be done tomorrow? If so, pour yourself a relaxing cup of decaf tea and then head off to bed.

1. Be Energized

Yes, this can be done by getting more sleep, but it also involves preparing your body for the day. Make sure to have a full breakfast or lunch before your classes to ensure that you are storing energy.

I would not recommend going to the local coffee shop on or off campus before class. The caffeine can become addictive, which will cause you to consume more just to get you through the day. Another negative about coffee is the countless bathroom trips you might have to take. More trips outside the classroom create more important information missed.

I would however recommend finding an alternative method to get energy through vitamins and dietary supplements. CLAREX is the perfect choice in this case because it is an all-natural supplement that sustains your energy all day. It also formulated to keep your brain focused in alert.

1. Be Engaged

Remaining involved in the discussion will not only increase your understanding, but it will keep you focused.  Answer or asking questions, reading along, and even just nodding your head toward your instructor will increase your productivity.

Idle time is when your mind can wander and lead you off course.  One minute your are listening attentively, and then you begin to think about your other work you have due, or what you are going to wear this weekend. Remain in the conversation and the topic at hand, so you don’t allow idol time.

1. Be Prepared

Every class length is different, and some might be over two hours long. A lot can happen in a two hour span, and you need to be prepared so that you can stay focused. I always make sure that I have a snack in my bag in case I get hungry. There is nothing worse than being hungry in class and being insanely jealous of the girl two rows in front of you that happily snacks away on her various treats. Packing your own snack will ensure that you stay active in class, instead of imagining what her food tastes like.

Your bag also needs to be appropriately packed for class. I always recommend to bring more than one writing utensil and to always have highlighters. Notes are fundamental to doing well in a class, and you do not want to miss any because your pen broke, or you forgot to highlight the important section.

Why Is It Always the Same New Year’s Resolutions?

By Eugene Y. Chan, MD

First, Happy New Year!  But what is it about our New Year’s Resolutions?

Are we always stuck on this endless treadmill of making the same ones?

How can it be the same one as last year?

Weight loss, exercise, love, friendship, success, money.  We seem to yearn for the same things, that gives us hope.  To hope is to be human.  We may never seem to reach them, they are ideals that we hold in our heads.  That is what is so powerful about it.

Size 2, no size 0 is better.  Grade A, no A+.  2000 sq. ft, no 3000.  Part of this is an inner thirst for the betterment of ourselves.  It  is what makes us build cities, send rockets to Mars, and to understand DNA.  But what is it that makes some of us able to do it and other not?

Someone once said to me, “Your life is made up of the sum of all the little decisions that you make from day to day.”  Likewise, the amount of willpower and mental focus that you give each minute, of each meal, each rep, or each hug, creates who you are.  A businessman who greets someone with a half-hearted smile will not be as successful as the one who remembers your name, dog, and the color of your tie.  An artist who paints only when told to will only see his works on his desk.  Don’t be that.

Send your spaceship to Mars,

See your art in the MoMA,

Find your inner DNA,

Live each minute of your life with gusto.

Be well and stay focused.

Happy 2014.

The CLAREX EFFECT (Concise)

The CLAREX Effect

By Eugene Y. Chan, MD

What is the CLAREX Effect?  We often get asked this question.  I initially formulated CLAREX based on my experiences at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where I saw a significant number of patients needed a boost after spending too much time in the hospital.  Some of these were from alcohol intoxication, malaise, and general deconditioning.  I wanted to create something that did not require an IV, but was able to help people bounce back quickly and be productive.  For me, especially after long shifts at the hospital.  

The CLAREX Effect has several uses:

1.  Mental Clarity Recovery.  After a late night or long night, CLAREX helps you bounce back and be productive.  We have received a lot of great feedback from different people about this aspect of CLAREX.  The effects are most noticeable after long, stressful days or even for post-celebration recovery.

2.  The Intelligent Workout.  How many times have you wished you crammed an hour of workout into 30 minutes?  CLAREX helps you stay focused while you are in the gym, obstacle course, or playing field.

3.  Increase Studying Performance.  Studying, or any mental activity requires active neurons.  Caffeine has a short-lasting effect and wears off quickly.  CLAREX is designed to help you stay focused for long periods of time, days, or even weeks at a time to achieve the best possible performance.

Essentially, CLAREX is a productivity supplement that works on your natural biochemical pathways and it does not contain any caffeine and is completely stimulant-free so you can feel good that you are using it.