Natural Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

I saw this article on yahoo and thought it a nice tidbit of information.

A fast metabolism is critical to burning fat and managing body weight. While some dieters use diet pills to speed up their metabolisms, the risks and side effects of these drugs make them risky. You can use some safe and natural methods to speed up your metabolism.

Gain Muscle
The American Council on Exercise recommends resistance training for weight management. Think of your muscles as your body's engine. The bigger your engine, the more energy you can burn. Muscle, unlike fat, is active tissue that raises your metabolism just by being there. Adding a resistance training program is a sure method of naturally raising your metabolism. To make the most out of your time in the gym, train three days per week, training your entire body during each session. Use basic, compound exercises such as the leg press and shoulder press.

Keep Hydrated
Inadequate water intake can slow your metabolism. Water is responsible for several metabolic processes, including digestion, waste management and temperature regulation. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking 2 liters of water daily. You can fight hunger as well as raise your metabolism by drinking a glass before each meal. To provide an extra boost, make sure your water is ice cold. Your body burns extra calories heating it up to room temperature.

Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardiovascular exercises such as walking, jogging and cycling are all effective ways to burn calories and keep your metabolism stoked. If you are just starting out, use a low-impact, low-intensity exercise such as brisk walking or moderate cycling. With more experience, you can graduate to jogging or intense cycling like spinning.

Coffee
Whether you realize it or not, you might already be waking up to an effective natural metabolism booster. The caffeine naturally present in coffee raises metabolism and can improve fat oxidation. Drinking a cup before exercise can also improve alertness and help fight fatigue.

Starting Wire Jewelry Making Book

Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry; By: Linda Jones
This is an excellent book for those just getting started in the wire jewelry craft. It includes a great list of starter supplies and overall tools, wonderful instructions and illustrations on use and basic techniques, as well as some fun and simple project ideas.

Bead Projects Books

Getting Started With Seed Beads; By: Dustin Wedekind
This is a good book that illustrates the different stitching patterns as well as some very fun, simple, and interesting projects to follow.
I have chosen to do, what appeared to me to be, one of the most simple projects outlined in this book.

Best Bead Books for Getting Started Beading

While my first love and study is of fine art painting I must be clear that I enjoy all arts, crafts, and similar hobbies. Growing up I enjoyed a vast spectrum of arts and crafts projects. As a young teenager I loved to make beaded jewelry even though I had no real knowledge of the techniques and materials used I loved the glitz of the beads and would muddle my way through what ever project I had come up with at the moment.
My sister recently sent me a beautiful beaded bracelet that has spawned my renewed interest in the art of beads and jewelry making
I have not made anything as of yet as I have been reading internet articles and books on the topic. I would like to take this opportunity to start an informative resource on the subject, of must read books and articles to get anyone started off on the right foot.

Getting Started Stringing Beads; By: Jean Campbell
This is my number one choice for anyone just getting started in the bead and jewelry making world. She gives an excellent description of all of the different tools and material and all of their uses. An absolute must have.

The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques; By Sara Withers & Stephanie Burnham
This is another great book that gives good descriptions of the different tools and materials and their uses as well as a vast array of techniques accompanied by excellent photo documentation that you just cannot beat.