Zen monks don't know much about muscle, but they know a lot about living long, unstressed lives. One of their secrets: drinking matcha green tea.

 

If you're not drinking matcha green tea yet, you're behind the times! Get with the program and try this metabolism-enhancing, stress-reducing, immune-boosting, cholesterol-lowering, teenage-mutant-ninja cancer fighter! Although people drank green tea in China more than 1,000 years ago, it became an important part of the Japanese culture. They named the tea matcha1. Zen Buddhist monks drank it to remain alert and calm during long hours of meditation2. Japanese tea leaves grow in the shade to increase chlorophyll content. These chlorophyll-rich leaves are then handpicked, steamed, dried and ground into a fine green powder3. The history and cultivation of the tea is interesting, but what matters most to health enthusiasts is its antioxidant content. One cup of matcha green tea has as many antioxidants as 10 cups of regular tea! That's almost exactly the same ratio to the "spider strength" Peter Parker gets when he puts on his suit!

Become An Egghead: Unscramble Egg Labels And Shop Smart! When it comes to eggs, there are more differences than whites versus yolks. Get the skinny and buy the right egg!

 

It's time to crack open the enigma of the egg, from allergies and nutrient values to colorization and caloric density. It's time to make smart decisions in the grocery aisle. Unless you want to raise your own brood, it's time to learn the rules of the henhouse! Before you hit the store and start cracking, it's important to learn a number of important and egg-cellent terms. First, egg-laying hens can be classified as cage-free (free-range and free-run) or caged (battery). These terms do not refer to the nutritional content of the eggs, but rather to the conditions in which the chickens are raised. Unfortunately, the vast majority of eggs in the United States are laid by battery hens in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Only a small percentage of chickens are raised on the range.

The Mercury-in-Fish Scare: How Safe Is All That Seafood You're Eating? Fish is a go-to protein sources for bodybuilders and other athletes, but rumors swirl that mercury makes eating fish unsafe. Here's the truth.

 

Bodybuilders and fitness models rely on well-balanced diets that include a variety of fish and seafood to help attain their physical goals. Many types of fish and seafood are extremely low in fat, making them an appropriate, high-quality source of animal protein. Even fattier cuts of fish offer benefits for general health and athletic performance because they contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. A diet that includes fish and seafood is good for bodybuilders and models. Evidence also shows that eating fish can promote a healthy pregnancy, enhance brain and eye development of the fetus, aid thinking and learning during childhood, and slow mental decline as people age10. Fish also provides a significant source of vitamin D and other valuable minerals, including selenium, iodine, magnesium, iron and copper.8 But there's a catch: All seafood contains mercury, a naturally occurring chemical element that can be harmful to humans. With the threat of mercury in fish and seafood, do athletes need to be concerned? Let's fish for answers to some frequently asked questions on the subject.

Don't let the fancy name fool you. These balls of protein are absolutely delicious and extremely easy to make!

 

There are a lot of recipes for whey "protein balls" or protein truffles, as I prefer to call them floating around these days. A quick Google search alone leads to hundreds of results.

The reason is simple: Protein truffles are one of the easiest, tastiest, and quickest things you can make with protein powder. All you need is a handful of ingredients to end up with a healthy, portable snack you can take to school or work. If you don't get that far and indulge before you can even make it to the Tupperware drawer feel free to enjoy these truffles in the comfort of your own kitchen.

If you're already familiar with protein truffles, don't fret. When it comes to these magical treats, the phrase "been there, done that" doesn't apply. Protein balls can still excite you the same way they always did. Just set them on fire!

Some say it's hyped, but others say it's just misunderstood. Hear from the researcher behind the most important studies and make your own decision!

 

Garcinia cambogia, also known as the Malabar tamarind, is a small, sweet tropical tree fruit shaped like a pumpkin. In the late 1960s, scientists discovered an acid in the fruit somewhat similar to the citric acid found in fruits like oranges and lemons.

That acid—called hydroxycitric acid, or HCA—has ridden a rollercoaster ride of popularity over the last 20 years. It is alternately touted as a miracle weight loss supplement and derided as effective only in rats.

So where is the ride at now?

 

Whether you're looking for something to spice up a boring dish, new protein-infused breakfast ideas, a variety of delicious protein smoothies, or just want to look at delicious food pictures, our database has what you need for inspiring a healthy menu or new meal ideas. The best part is that you don't have to be a world-class chef to make your taste buds throw a wild party in celebration. And yes, they will fit your macros.

 

Unfortunately, even alpha males get older and, as we age, our bodies slowly start producing less testosterone. Testosterone is the alpha hormone, primarily responsible for muscle and strength maintenance, fat distribution, bone density, and sex drive. We reach our sexual and hormonal peak in our late teens, when testosterone production begins slowly declining. Test decreases naturally, but age isn't the only factor. Test levels can also decrease due to stress, injury, and other causes. Maintaining a normal testosterone balance is one of the most critical, helpful steps you can take to lead the pack. Don't fall behind; don't become beta. Unleash your alpha.

 

Without rest and the right nutrients, you can actually hurt your progress, not help it. As a result, proper workout recovery is essential to positive results!

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which is the macronutrient responsible for making muscle. Thus, amino acids are essential ingredients in any muscle-making recipe. Luckily, there's no need to hit the store: Amino Recovery has got you covered.

 

Scream is a correction to under-dosed, over-stimulated pre-workout products built on proprietary blends and buzzwords. Scream isn't "ultra-concentrated;" it's effective. It fuels your workouts with nothing less than full, clinical doses of the best available ingredients. Scream offers more than energy; it hits your body with the nutrients needed to win every workout and maximize your results.

 

Get ready to absorb 250% more key amino acids (BCAAs + Arginine and Glutamine) and boost your nitrogen retention by 32%. In short, get ready to make more muscle.* Protogen contains 4 ultra-premium protein sources and clinically-proven Aminogen®, a revolutionary patented enzyme system that helps your body break down and digest protein faster and much more efficiently.* Aminogen® helps maximize the amount of amino acids released from protein in foods and supplements, allowing you to absorb more muscle-building amino acids.* What's the big deal about amino acids? They help you in 5 major ways:

Whey may be the reigning king, but its parent protein still offers some unique advantages. Don't underestimate milk protein, especially in a pinch!

 

I DIDN'T PLAN AHEAD, MAN. NOW I'M HEADING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WHEY IN SIGHT, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW I'M GOING TO MEET MY MACROS. HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR A QUICK PROTEIN SOURCE? When I'm out on the road and need a convenient, low-carb protein source, I often pull into a gas station or convenience store and grab an RTD (ready-to-drink) like Muscle Milk. But the last time I posted a photo to Facebook of the Muscle Milk that I grabbed while on the go in Florida, I was surprised at how many negative comments it generated. The reason was that if you look at the ingredients list, you'll notice that whey protein is way down on the list. The main protein source at the top of the ingredient list (meaning the product has the highest amount of it) is milk protein, in the form of milk protein isolate and milk protein concentrate. So is milk protein isolate or concentrate a low-quality protein source? No! It's actually a high-quality protein source. Here's why you shouldn't overlook it.

You've worked hard to look great for summer but minefields abound at parties, barbecues, even your summer vacation. Here's how to maintain your peak fitness and still have fun.

 

I'VE WORKED SO HARD TO GET IN SHAPE FOR SUMMER - HOW DO I MAINTAIN IT WHILE STILL ENJOYING MY SUMMER TO THE FULLEST? You're not alone! A number of my friends and clients share this same concern. But having summer fun and keeping your fitness in check isn't as difficult as you think. While it's important to focus on fitness, enjoying time with friends and loved ones is what life's all about. You can't miss out on that because you fear straying ever so slightly from your routine. We all work out, eat healthy and are committed to our fitness goals, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves that saying "yes" to social invites or going out of town is completely normal and won't necessarily wreak havoc on our fitness. With a bit of planning and preparation, and by implementing the following tips, you can have your most fit, fun summer yet!

What if there were an amazing fat source that tasted, well, like fat, but also helped you burn other fat? There is. It's virgin coconut oil, a rising star in the nutritional world.

 

What comes to mind when you see the word "thermogenic?" Heat, probably, since the word itself means "heat generating." Or maybe you think of a stimulant supplement like caffeine which is known to speed up your metabolism and increase energy expenditure. Maybe you're taking one of these right now, in the hopes of slimming down. One thing you probably don't think of is a coconut—and especially the oil extracted from its flesh. Not that long ago, coconut oil ruled alongside partially hydrogenated soybean oil as the worst of the "bad fats." Maybe you know them by their other name: trans fatty acids. These were the fats that were shown in repeated studies to increase the risk for heart disease and obesity, in addition to being linked to everything from depression to infertility. They're the reason you stopped buying movie-theater popcorn! Given that reputation, it's OK if you're skeptical about what I'm going to say next: Coconut oil is shaping up to be one of the world's premier natural thermogenic agents. But before you go running to the Cineplex, there's a catch: The processed coconut oil of the past has about as much in common with the healthy virgin coconut oil as Chief Wiggum does with Robocop. Intrigued? You should be. Let's crack open the coconut for a closer look.

Building a bigger chest doesn't have to feel like brain surgery. Get back to the basics with hard work and these 5 proven exercises!

 

Building the chest of your dreams shouldn't be treated like rocket science—overly complicated with a chance of blowing up in your face. James Grage likes to stick to the basics, using different angles and rep ranges to blitz every fiber in his pecs and elicit maximum growth. The exercises themselves may look simple enough, but it's up to you to dial up the intensity by giving yourself less time for rest. "I like to take as little rest as possible," says Grage, suggesting that you take 15-20 seconds of rest between your sets. There's no time for lollygagging. Great results don't come to those who wait; they come to those who work. Hit these five simple-but-brutally effective moves and build a chiseled chest!

Everyone wants a better butt, no buts about it! These five exercises will help you build a pro-level posterior.

 

Let's get one thing clear: It's all about the bum. Sure, built biceps fill out a shirt and six-pack abs are the prize of every beachgoer, but the back is where it's at. A bodacious booty is essential to a good physique and not just for stage-bound fitness contestants. Everyone seems to want a great bum. Photos of posteriors flood the Internet and are often the most viewed and "liked" body part on social media. There's just something magical about a beautiful butt!

 

"How do you get your butt like that?" is the fitness question I hear the most. And before you say it, yes, genetics play a part. Just like a pretty smile or clear skin, there are people born with a genetic booty advantage, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to improve your glutes. Women often turn to cardio to "get a butt," but the clear path to a better booty doesn't go through the treadmill or the elliptical. Instead, start with weights.