We've all heard that it is healthy to add fiber to our diet, but if you're confused as to the best way to do this, you are not alone. Fiber has been long heralded as an important factor in digestive health, but perhaps less well known is its impact on your body's ability to fight off disease. Dietary fiber aids your body in normalizing bowel movements, lowering cholesterol, aids in weight loss, and has been proven to reduce the risk of many diseases such as diabetes, colon cancer, and heart disease. To increase your intake of fiber naturally, here are some simple suggestions:

1. Strive to eat at least two servings of vegetables at every meal, and at least one whole fruit per day.
2. Switch to whole grain breads and pasta. Be sure to read the ingredients label on your food. It should read 'whole wheat flour', not 'enriched wheat flour' to include the benefit of fiber.
3. Sneak in fresh vegetables when cooking. Add some broccoli florets or steamed spinach to your spaghetti sauce, etc.
4. Remember whole foods are always a better source of fiber than the processed fiber alternatives such as Metamucil or Fibercon. They over the counter versions of fiber do not include the vitamins and minerals that whole foods provide.
5. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and ease into increasing your fiber intake over a period of a couple of weeks, to avoid any intestinal discomfort and bloating.

According to recent studies, dog owners get more exercise than their non-pet owning counterparts. By walking their dog twice a day, puppy lovers averaged seven hours of exercise per week. Even people who own gym memberships average less time working out per week than dog owners. Dogs adapt quickly to the routine you set, so once you start walking them, they begin to greet you at the door with their tail wagging and ready to go, which could be a great motivator for you. So, if you've considered adding a dog to your family, adopt a dog from your local shelter and start exercising. Begin slowly if your dog is new to exercise, their bodies need time to work up to rigorous workouts just like ours do. For their safety and yours, be sure to keep them on a leash the entire time, and bring plenty of water to keep them and yourself hydrated.

The word meditation for some may conjure images of Eastern Yogi's sitting beneath banyan trees, but it is increasingly gaining more and more popularity in the West. The art of meditation is well known and available to anyone who may be interested in developing peace of mind, and a level of tranquility in their lives. The point of meditation is to awaken to the part of yourself that is unaffected and untouched by the chaos and emotional swings of the world you live in. The beauty of this practice gives you an internal sanctuary of non-change in a world where everything changes. There is a witness in you that is unattached and just watching everything go on around you. The more you experience this witnessing, the greater your internal peace will be as well as your ability to live your life from a more calm and centered point of view.

There are many forms of meditation available to you. You'll be delighted in your practice of any of these methods, because all forms of meditation are designed to achieve stillness in you. As you find yourself progressing from one form into the next, rest assured the appropriate method best suited for you will present itself.