The Truth about Creatine

There are many myths and rumors circulating about supplements on the market, and one of the most targeted is Micronized Creatine. People tend to assume that creatine is analogous to a steroid, which is absolutely not the case. Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, which we eat everyday in protein-rich foods.

In order to function, your muscles need to convert a chemical called ATP to ADP. This process is made possible through creatine. What a creatine supplement does is make more ATP available to muscles, giving you more energy so you get a better workout and can recover more quickly.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (October 29, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

See the Light without Going Blind

Last night I attended a concert at a small venue in Seattle called the Vera Project. It is a small, non-profit club that hosts music acts and holds various art classes. The venue is small and intimate, holding less than 400 people.

When the lights came down for the headliner, a band named Why?, there were dozens cameras going off. Standing behind a photographer, I noticed that the digital camera flash isn’t as intense as a traditional one, but still allowed for good pictures. I’m sure that the performers appreciate the new technology: I can’t imagine being on stage with old-fashioned flash bulbs going off constantly just a few feet from your faces.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (October 15, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Improving Emotions at a Molecular Level

It’s a bit strange to break down human emotions and feelings into dry, scientific terms, but it’s really the only way to approach the treatment of depression. Amino acids play a large role in producing neurotransmitters, which in turn regulate emotions. When certain of these neurotransmitters are found to be deficient within the body, the person in question can experience feelings of sadness, anxiety and even irritability.

The main amino acid that regulates these emotions is known as l-tyrosine, and it has been made available in various supplements. L-tyrosine also has positive side-effects on other parts of the body such as the thyroid. During particularly stressful times, this amino acid calms the body, provides an energy boost and even enhances sex drive.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (October 1, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Keys to Putting on Major Muscle Mass

In today’s society, it seems that looks and body image are valued more than ever before. If you look at movies and magazines from the ’70s, you might notice that men with ridiculous mustaches and scrawny physiques managed to attract their fair share of women. For better or worse, those days appear to be over. Nowadays, it’s all about who has the biggest biceps and the flattest stomach.

It goes without saying that the best way to bulk up is to do strength-training exercises. Start with relatively light free weights and work your way up from there. Bench presses, squats and dead lifts are surefire exercises that help boost muscle mass. Once you get into a steady workout routine, you’ll need to consume more protein – whether through meat, fish or other means. Muscle Milk and other supplements rich in l-carnitine can only improve your odds of becoming a muscle-bound chick magnet.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (September 17, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Stop Tripping – Tryptophan Is Beneficial

Most people are familiar with the stupor that sets in moments after finishing a Thanksgiving feast. Grandpa loosens his belt and takes a nap while the rest of the family gathers around the TV to watch some football. For years, people have chalked this up to the consumption of tryptophan-rich turkey meat. It’s more likely that the combination of massive carbs – those heaping portions of mashed potatoes – and alcoholic beverages contributes to the post-meal snoozefest.

In fact, a metabolite form of tryptophan known as 5 htp is widely touted for its antidepressant effects. Counter intuitively, the substance works as an appetite suppressant. In other words, you would have ingested far less turkey at dinner if you had taken a 5 htp supplement beforehand. Next time you hear someone giving tryptophan a bad rap, remind them of some of its considerable health benefits.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (August 31, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Staying Safe in the City

Folding knives are considered essential tools for camping and fishing excursions, but they also play a crucial role closer to home. Personal safety should be a serious priority for anyone who lives in an urban environment, especially women. With so many strangers living and operating in close proximity, an altercation is practically unavoidable. It becomes a question of who can gain the upper hand.

Cold steel knives can be folded up and kept discreetly in a pocket or even a handbag. When an assailant attempts to strike, women can use the element of surprise to stun and stupefy the criminal into submission. There’s no reason to live in fear once you leave the security of your own home, but it’s always best to be prepared. A knife can add that extra element of security that provides some peace of mind.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (August 17, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

Portable Protection

Take a brief glance around any college campus in America and you’re guaranteed to notice portable computers by the dozen. We live in an age where Wi-Fi access can make or break a coffee shop’s financial future. Many students check blogs and social networking sites compulsively, and they require the ability to do so from any location.

It should come as no surprise that laptop computers have attained essential status among the student population. As much as these computers are used on the go, it’s no surprise that they undergo a few liquid spills and sidewalk drops. To combat these and other problems, students often resort to a durable portfolio case. College kids don’t have many assets to protect, which makes the well-being of their laptops even more important.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (August 11, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

A Substantial Difference

Creatine occurs in nature as an organic acid stored by the body in skeletal muscle. Most of the substance is naturally derived from protein-rich foods. Many athletes and weightlifters swear by creatine supplements, which are touted for building muscle mass.

Micronized creatine is different from the normal substance in that it’s ground into even finer particles. These particles dissolve easily in liquid, and they are also digested quicker than traditional creatine. This means that the effects of micronized creatine are more potent and fast-acting.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (July 28, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

All About Spyderco

Founded by Sal Glesser, Spyderco was first established in 1978. The company is currently located in Golden, Colorado. They are exclusively known for their various knives and knife sharpeners. The company began with this latter product and released their first knife in 1981.

Creating a trademark look and style from the onset, Spyderco knives are known for the round hole in each blade. This allows for the quickest, easiest, one-handed opening possible. They also claim to be the first manufacturers that utilized the clothing clip on the handle. Spyderco is responsible for many different kinds of knives, including fixed blades, folding blades, and locked blades.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (July 3, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)

The Effects of DHEA

Purported to have many benefits and effects, dehydroepiandrosterone is most often referred to as a multifunction steroid. This compound is naturally secreted by the human adrenal glands. Being classified in the broader sense, it is a neurosteroid. While its effects are not entirely recognized or fully studied, it has been shown to help some individuals deal with systemic lupus erythemoatosus.

Other studied have made claims that DHEA, as it is commonly referred to, lowers cholesterol. Additional studies were done to see the results on Alzheimer’s patients, but the end results were found to be inconclusive and largely ineffective. Most commonly, however, DHEA is offered over-the-counter as a dietary supplement.


Posted by Shopping4Her  (June 19, 2009)    |    add comment    |    Comments (0)