The Best Herbs for MMA Fighters If we’re looking at the sheer athleticism of MMA Fighters we can break this down into a few different areas. Increased Energy Faster Recovery Hormonal Support Increased Qualities of Athleticism (Strength,Speed, Flexibility, etc.) Your diet is going to come into play on every single one of these. In addition to moving towards a natural diet and away from over processed, chemical laden foods you’ll want  to figure out what sort of food works best for you. Although everyone thinks in terms of  carbs for energy, personally I do well with a higher fat diet than most. But then again my metabolism is so fast I have to constantly feed it calories. What herbs are best for Athletes? Something  like pine pollen tincture is a good place to start, especially if you are over 30 and your  testosterone has waned along with your energy levels. Let’s look at each one of these in turn. Table of Contents 1 #1 Increased Energy and Endurance 2 #2 Better Recovery 3 #3 Hormonal Support 4 #4 Increased Qualities of Athleticism (Strength, Flexibility, Coordination etc.) #1 Increased Energy and Endurance You need to have enough energy to workout in the first place, and of course you need energy to keep going in your training too. So this is probably the most obvious place to start. Ant Extract – This is one herb that people tend to feel more so than others. It tends to give usable energy basically right away. Pine Pollen Powder – probably because of all the micro-nutrients, but possibly also hormonal, many people report greater energy when on pine pollen. Shilajit – As the “conqueror of mountains”, it helps mitigate fatigue and supports the mitochondria  to produce more ATP. Cordyceps – Improves work output, alleviates fatigue, works on the Lungs, and more. Eleuthero (AKA Siberian Ginseng)– Anti-fatigue and adaptogen, this was used by most Russian athletes for many years. Rhodiola – Anti-fatigue and adaptogen, very similar to eleuthero in its effects. Some of the adaptogens are probably the best bet for increasing endurance. #2 Better Recovery While training is important, if you can’t recover from what you do, you won’t get the benefit. In fact, recovery is probably the more important piece of the puzzle when looking at how herbs can help you. Maral Root – Probably my #1 herb for recovery. Russian research showed increased  recovery, including increasing work capacity, muscle mass, stress reduction and more. He Shou Wu – As a Yin Jing herb, and one of the best of them, he shou wu would also be  useful to use for added recovery. All of the adaptogen class of herbs can help here. They help your body to better adapt. Therefore, if you’re doing any sort of training they can help you adapt to it, and that means your recovery will improve. #3 Hormonal Support This could be considered a subset of the above, or possibly a higher order class. That’s because if your hormones are working well you’ll recover better, have better energy, and just plain perform better in your training or sport. Pine Pollen Powder – As a source of phyto-androgens,  either the powder or tincture could definitely help. Tongkat Ali – This powerful extract works in multiple pathways. Herbs help build muscle for strength. This was me at 46 Still a work in progress, I definitely benefit a great deal from these herbs. #4 Increased Qualities of Athleticism (Strength, Flexibility, Coordination etc.) Here it depends on what you’re specifically going for. Let’s break this down further into each one. a) Strength Guduchi and Shilajit are both said to increase strength. Yang Jing herbs like Cistanche and Tongkat Ali, probably due to their hormonal benefits,  are also good candidates for this action. Its hard to say if herbs will directly increase strength like on a deadlift. Instead I more think that they will help you to do the training so that you get stronger. b) Flexibility Unfortunately, we don’t seem to have anything specific to this…yet. We are investigating and experimenting with a few options like Cissus, Eucommia Bark and more. Various herbal liniments are often rubbed on areas to aid in flexibility. Another one that I’ve heard of that works is Proteolytic Enzymes, which can eat up scar tissue that can hinder your flexibility. c) Coordination Athleticism isn’t all about the physical. It’s mental too. Coordination can be thought of as the junction of the two. Thus, any of the mental supporting herbs could possibly help here. Schisandra – As an adaptogen, for me anyway, I feel this one a little more mentally.  It aids in concentration and focus. Does this stuff actually work? Just ask are several sponsored martial arts athlete’s and others that engage in all manners of training. If you want a stack of our products to include all of the above you can try this. Pine Pollen Tincture – A good dose of pine pollen tincture each day will provide lots of basic micronutrients in addition to the androgenic support I recommend the tincture over the powder for sheer androgen support. Although the powder is a superfood in itself. Spartan Broad Spectrum Adaptogen Formula – Why use just one adaptogen when you can have four? This blend brings you the slightly different benefits of cordyceps, eleuthero, rhodiola and schisandra. This means greater energy, less fatigue, greater recovery and work capacity. Hercules Pre-Workout Formula – Get amped up for your workouts with Ant, Cistanche and Maral Root (which will also aid in recovery too). Shilajit Resin – Taking shilajit along with anything else potentiates its effects. And as the Destroyer of Weakness it belongs in an athlete pack by itself. Great for energy and endurance. Sure, we could add more, but I think this combination gives you everything above, and then some, and without going overboard on it either. Feel free to make your own custom combination.

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Nootropics Smart Pills for Athletic Enhancement: Bacopa

Nootropics Smart Pills for Athletes: Bacopa

Ever since I first tried this herb, I fell in love with it. (Yes, loving certain herbs is definitely something that herbalists do.) I’m talking about Bacopa monnieri, also known as Brahmi.  I was attending a workshop and it was right after lunch. You know how after a big meal, especially on a warm day, you sometimes feel a bit sleepy? Perhaps you don’t need a nap, but you’re less than optimal for paying attention. Someone handed me a tincture of bacopa and I put a dropperful in my mouth. I had heard of this Ayurvedic herb before, but this was my first time trying it. Immediately, I could feel my brain “switch on” and my focus and alertness increased. I love it when you feel herbs immediately like that. And it wasn’t just a first time thing for me. Since that time we’ve located a high quality, organic bacopa extract in powder form. As typical, the taste isn’t good, but it’s not horrible either. Definitely a saltiness to it. With this powder I notice the same benefits. And the good news is that the real benefits seem to be even better over time! Check out the full details and the science behind how it works here. Sincerely, Logan Christopher and the Lost Empire Herbs Team

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Nootropics: Smart Pills for Athletes Gotu Kola

Our new herb, Gotu Kola, is finally available for ordering! And we are offering it for $5 off until Friday! Click here to get yours now or read on and learn all about this crazy herb. If you have noticed we have been talking it up a bit. The main reason being that we have been using it for a few weeks now and absolutely love it.          There are three big areas that this herb has been studied to help with: Cognitive Enhancement Collagen Promotion Calmness/Connectedness Boosting Gotu Kola is known to re-vitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention span and concentration and combat aging. Yet the mechanisms for these actions are not entirely understood yet. One way though lies with its effect on brain glutathione levels. A study titled, Effect of different extracts of Centella asiatica on cognition and markers of oxidative stress in rats found: In the present study aqueous, methanolic and chloroform extracts of C. asiatica were investigated for their effect on cognitive functions in rats. Male Wistar rats of 200–250 g were used to study the effect on learning and memory by using shuttle box, step through, step down and elevated plus maze paradigms...doses of aqueous extract increased the number of avoidances in shuttle box and prolonged the step through latency in step through apparatus in a dose dependent manner, while only two doses 200 and 300 mg/kg of aqueous extract showed significant increase in the step down latency in step down apparatus and transfer latency (TL) in elevated plus maze. Among doses of aqueous extract tested on oxidative stress parameters, only 200 and 300 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the brain levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) with simultaneous significant increase in levels of glutathione. There was a significant increase in the levels of catalase at the 300 mg/kg but no significant change in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were observed. MDA is a marker for oxidative stress and glutathione is a master antioxidant. The brain, because of its high energy load (in proportion to its mass) uses a lot of oxygen. This means this organ needs loads of antioxidants in comparison to other organs. Glutathione is the master antioxidant for this and when there are appropriate amounts of it in the brain, reduces oxidative damage which reduces neuroinflammation. This study shows that water-extracts of Gotu Kola helps promote Glutathione and lower oxidative stress, thus enhancing cognitive function by making the brain more efficient in energy use. This is just one example of how this herb helps the brain out. If you wish to read more about it, click here. There will be more information coming in future emails that provides unique info to that of the sales page so be sure to check them out.  You can also click here to add Gotu Kola straight to your cart and check out. Speaking of the brain, I recently saw the movie Logan, the final Wolverine installment in the X-men universe. Warning, there’s a tiny bit of spoilers ahead, but not much. You can save this message until after you’ve seen it, or really this won’t stop your enjoyment of this great movie. (And yes, I think it is a great movie. Not just a great superhero movie. Great period.) Patrick Stewart reprises his role as Charles Xavier, aka Professor X. But he’s not the same as he used to be. In fact, like Wolverine, he’s pretty bad off. One of the interesting quotes in the movies comes from one of the bad guys who states he has, “A degenerative brain disease in the world’s most dangerous brain.” What that looks like plays a role throughout the plot. Of course, drugs are used to manage his symptoms. And like most drugs, these do come with some bad side effects. As I was watching the flick I couldn’t help but to think of lion’s mane mushroom, bacopa, schisandra and others. What if Professor X had been using these? A certain incident is alluded to throughout the movie. Could this have been avoided? I know, I know, it’s just a movie. But who wants to see anyone they care about, a character, or someone you love in real life go through that? To me, it seems the worst way to go. Now your brain may not be able to read minds or stop time, but I think you’d agree that it plays an important role in your life. Why wait for it to go downhill before doing anything about it? As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The good news is that these herbs help your cognitive function today, not just in the years to come. Personally, I don’t give a thought to Alzheimer’s or dementia for myself. But I do care that my thinking is sharp. And that’s why these herbs are in my regular rotation. If you’re interested in how I used these, I typically put lion’s mane in my morning coffee, and take schisandra or bacopa straight, powder in the mouth, and wash it down with water. If you’ve never experienced the benefits of these nootropics herbs I suggest you give them a try. Sincerely, Logan Christopher and the Lost Empire Herbs Team P.S. With all the B.S. and myths that go around Ant Extract, we released an FAQ section for this very product. Click here to check 20 most common questions and answers about Ant Extract under the FAQ tab.

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11 years of Back Pain Gone in 2 weeks!

11 Years of Excruciating Back Pain Gone in 2 weeks! 

Is this you?

Have you tried and failed to eliminate your back pain with 

• Opiod medications?
• Too many NSAIDS? 
• Chiropractic?
• Surgery?
• Cortisone Shots wearing off?
• Massage?

None of these address the CAUSE of the Problem! The above relief is only temporary and gets very expensive.

                                                            LET MOVEMENT be YOUR MEDICINE!

 As humans in our fast paced lifestyle we SIT entirely too much! 

• Wake up sit down for breakfast 
• Get in ours cars sit down and drive.
• Sit Down at our desks for 8-10 hours.
• Get back in our cars, sit down drive home.
• Sit down at the dinner table
• Sit on the couch because you are tired from working all day.
• We sit on average 14-17 hours a day 
• Is it any wonder then millions of us suffer unnecessarily from back pain?

Anatomy of a Disk Injury and How to Fix it Without Expensive Surgery or Drugs . Get the full program here.
Email Subscribe 

The easiest way for me to help you see things from a Personal Trainer's perspective is to describe the mechanism of disc injury.  Your spine is like a snake.  If a snake found a bowling ball and stuck it's head in the thumb hole and stood upright, that's you!  Our head is this awkward heavy ball sitting on top of our snake and our core and pelvis spend all day just trying to keep it upright.  Our spine is designed to have an "S" shaped curve.  With weak core or too much weight/impact vertically on the spine, it turns into a "Z" shaped curve and that disc segment becomes troubled. If we bend too far forward then the lower spine segments end up getting bent too much, like a coat hanger that got bent too much in one spot - that segment fatigues, becomes too mobile and becomes troubled.  The two enemies of our spines are gravity (impact) and bending.  Our spines can bend, but it should be more like a tall flexible pine tree swaying in the wind, not like a kinked coat hanger.  It is our hips that are supposed to do most of the bending - everything needs to be hip dominant to protect your back.  But we get tight hamstrings and weak core, so we bend too much at the lower back and not enough at the hips.  

So here is the summary:

Trainer's  prefer keeping spine in neutral, erect position most of the time since bending, moving it too much provokes pain.  If the spine is to bear weight, it needs to be erect, like an "S" curve - spring like, because too much weight or impact on the spine when it's not in neutral position provokes pain.  

So the core muscles all work together to stabilize the spine, like a built in back brace, or corset.

• Erector spinae and multifidus (most important muscle for disc protection) are extremely important because they protect against too much forward bending (90% of disc problems come from too much forward bending at the lumbar spine, not enough forward bending of the hip joints); they keep a reversed curve in your spine and multifidus controls rotation.

• Obliques control rotation.
• Rectus abdominus front abs(least important muscle) controls / prevents too much backward bending, and is an anterior stabilizer.
• Transverse abdominus (second most important muscle in disc protection) stabilizes rotational forces; doesn't do a lot of movement, but protects lower lumbar spine from excessive rotation.
• Gluteals, piriformis (abductors - 3rd most important - in a tie with obliques) control pelvis rotation and stabilization. 
  
• Hamstrings and adductors are important but most people are already pretty strong here.

• the "Z" shaped curve thought:  the disc that is injured is always the deepest part of the "Z" or "S" in the curve; it's the segment that takes the most beating and most motion with gravity and bending.  Like if you were laying on your stomach and it rained, where would the water settle? That deepest point will always be the trouble spot for a disc.
• If dead lifts feel uncomfortable to your spine, then that is your body telling you it doesn't like it!  It may be great for your muscles, but it is contributing to trouble at your spine; minimize trouble.   Disc compression exercises are not disc protection exercises.
• If you think about it, most of our injuries happen when we twist:  we sprain our ankles, tear the ACL in our knees when cutting, get bursitis in our hips from golfing, twist a disc in our back or neck, hurt our rotator cuff on a throw or hurt our elbow on a tennis backhand.  We have weak twisters!  What are the twisters?  Any muscle with its grain going sloped or horizontal - essentially  (oblique and transverse abs, multifidus, gluteals).  What does every American need more of?    Our lives lack rotation; we sit in a chair with a stiff back, we have a seat belt across our chest, we rarely have to twist our trunks and hips so the trunk and hip twisters get weak.  
• Most "popular" gym exercises to strengthen core make you bend and twist your back (sit-ups, crunches, rotary torso, etc.) but I'm telling you for disc injuries, the back gets bent too much!  A kinked coat hanger doesn't need more motion.  If you look at our abdominal muscles as a group, they look like trampoline fabric, with fibers going every direction.  Rectus abdominus and erector spine go north and south; transverse abdominus goes east-west; obliques and multifidus and gluteals go on on angles down and angles up.  You cannot move your spine in any direction without going directly opposed to what some muscle is trying to prevent, or at least control (for example, forward bending is erector spinae and hamstrings controlling the movement, getting elongated and, near the end of their range of motion, risking injury).  As a group, our abdominal muscles are not designed to move the spine, but to hold it still.  Strengthening the core should always be done in the middle of the available range of motion between forward bending and backward bending, between right rotation and left rotation, between right side-bending and left side-bending (avoiding extremes).  Lumbar disc protection exercises don't fit into the "popular" gym workout series that well. 
• Regarding disc injury with spinal forward bending:  your finger can bend backward a long way, but it doesn't like to live that way; it needs to reverse it's position now and then.  When you bend your finger backward, the skin gets blanched because it's too tight for blood flow - only when you let go and bend your finger forward does it get blood again.  Our spines are the same way; they can certainly bend forward a long way, but they don't like to live that way (prolonged slumped sitting, for instance, is a classic disc injury mechanism - I see more computer jockeys than concrete workers for low back pain).  A forward bent spine has blanched erector spinae (back strap) muscles; they are too stretched out to get much blood.  They only get a good open vessel blood refill if they get a chance to bend backward a bit, like the bent finger example.  Position reversal is a good thing, an essential thing for spines.  They don't mind moving in mid-range of motion, but don't do anything rapid, repeated, resisted or sustained at end range of motion for a spine or you are asking for trouble.  

What are the BEST exercises to hit ALL of these areas?

What kind of workout is EASY for me to do at HOME?

What if I need help doing this workout?

Can I get Free email coaching for directions?

What kind of equipment do I need to eliminate the Back Pain?

What if I have questions on this program?

 Answers to all of these FAQ's 

Join the Mailing list for the workouts, explained in detail. I have done all the research for you, No More trial and error, guessing what might be best. I have saved you countless hours of researching and study, compiled all of that information just for your benefit.This workout is so easy that you can do at home, with 1 piece of equipment and I will help you through everything with free email coaching for 4 weeks.  I am here to help you Eliminate your Back Pain
!Email Subscribe

VIDEO TRAILER TEASER: Stroops Workout for Functional Training Gear by former professional bodybuilder Dan Hill  

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Stroops MMA Battle Rope Son of the Beast Review

Stroops MMA Battlerope Son of the Beast review

Battlerope workouts have been all the rage since they appeared on the MMA scene several years ago on shows like The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Fighter Training bio's and more recently Crossfit training gyms across the nation are including them into regular workouts. 

 A typical battle rope workout consists of a long piece of 1.5 to 2 inch girth rope anywhere from 30 to 50 feet long. attached to any given anchor i.e a tree, basketball hoop pole, fence, weights etc. and vigorously shaken up, down all around cardio type workout. The effectiveness in these type of ropes are the weight of the rope only. The arms and shoulders will get tired, some core work can be done as well and the main benefit is the cardiovascular system.

How are Stroops Battleropes any different?

First lets look at the construction of the Stroops Son of the Beast Battlerope. Instead of just plain rope this design is made up of "Slastix" which is a covered resistance band in varying strengths. 47 lbs, 77 lbs, 105 lbs  and a whopping 150 lbs each handle. So this rope actually fights you back! With the resistance constantly pulling you forward (or backward) your biceps, back, chest, tris, and leg muscles get fried really quick depending on how far back you are from the anchor, the further back you get the stronger the resistance. These Battle ropes come in a pair of 10 ft lengths which can be stretched to 30 ft long.

  Each rope has a loop for gripping and pulling. The bright orange covering is designed not only for flash, but a protector of the rubber resistance band underneath. The covering will also prevent the band from being overstretched as the band is longer than the covering, so if it ever gets maxed out the covering will stop stretching 1st so the band will have more length to be stretched . Top quality materials are used in a state of the art manufacturing facility, made in America. After years of use and abuse I have never seen one break. 

  Extreme Versatility
Unlike a plain old rope , the Stroops Son of the Beast MMA Battlerope has many uses for example I recently took these babies out for an extreme test drive (see video below) to see what happened.
         Here are some of exercises you can do with these battle ropes.
1. Combo Cardio + Strength = more calories burned, more efficient workout, more muscles worked.
2. The Power Slam. (2 hands together up and down)
3. The Alternating Power Slam (alternating right hand up left hand down)
4. Squat + Power Slam.
5. Jump Squats + Power Slam
6. Rows with the resistance. with 2 hands together, narrow grip, works back + biceps
7. Alternating Rows.
8. Wide grip rows
9. Bicep Curls.
10. Ab Core Twists
11. Resisted Jumping Jacks
12. Heavy Jump Rope
13. Combo Burpees + Slams
14. Combo Push ups + Slams
15. Combo Burpee + Push up + Mountain Climber + Slam
16. Chest Flys
17. Tricep Extension
18. Resisted Jab Punches
19. Resisted Upper cuts.
20. Resisted Hook Punch
21. Resisted Punch Block.
22. Resisted Lunges.
23. Attached to your feet for Resisted Mountain Climbers
24. Resisted Front Kicks/Knees
25. Hook to your waist with a belt resisted Trampoline Jumps
26. Resisted Leap Frog Jumps frontwards and backwards.
27. Inside Arm Circles
28. Outside Arm Circles
29. Lateral Delt Raises
30. Rear Delt Rows
 
  In this video I am using the 47 lb per handle set of Battle Ropes. And they are kicking my butt on this rock! The resistance gets progressively harder as the rope is stretched out, thus activating the type III combo med + fast twitch muscle fibers giving you more explosiveness and speed.

  These battle ropes are by FAR the Best I have ever used! They give me an incredible workout, and provide PLENTY of resistance for anyone in martial arts, MMA, Wrestling, BJJ, Boxing, Bodybuilding, Strength Training or if you just want to look like a fighter, Get some of these!

Limited only by your imagination! As you can see the amount of muscles you can strengthen (Full Body Workout) along with your cardio and even circuit training, adding in body weight combos the Stroops Son of the Beast Battlerope is King of The Jungle! 

Variety is the spice of your fitness life and these ropes definitely keep things interesting and fun!
 Get a pair here

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Strrops MMA The Double Gun - MMA Punching + Kicking Training

Stroops MMA Strength and Conditioning featuring The Double Gun.

Whats the best  way to train for greater punching power? Use resisted punching slastix by Stroops. In this instructional video you will see the easiest and most efficient way to train for increased punching strength. While in the very act of punching with resistance bands attached to your wrists and ankles you can develop your fast twitch muscle fibers for strength and speed using explosive movements.

  You cant get this kind of direct training of a specific motion with free weights . Only Stroops Slastix resistance bands can. The Double Gun comes with 4 slastix resistance bands, 2 punch cuffs,  2 ankle cuffs and 1 anchor strap. All you have to do is anchor to any stationary object like a fence, basketball pole, etc. Get crazy with your MMA strength skills get more info here on The Double Gun by Stroops MMA 

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Pine Pollen Product Review

Have you heard of Pine Pollen?

Can Pine Pollen increase your Testosterone?

      My Pine Pollen review: The male portion of the Pine Tree buds in the early spring. You may be familiar with the female version the Pine Cone. Well the male version is smaller and when it buds the powder falls to the ground, the forest animals eat the powder which is all over their food get to feeling "Frisky" just in time for Spring mating season! Will it turn you into a Tiger!?

       Over the past 30 years I have used just about every supplement out there, in the attempt to get that extra edge over my competition, I have a very sensitive system physically and I can tell almost immediately if something is working or not. Some work great, some dont at all.

   I am also very open minded so when I see something new I will usually give it a try. When I first heard of Pine Pollen I was instantly intrigued because it is a vital part of Chinese Medicine of which I have studied extensively. So I read all I could find on the substance and what I discovered was literally mind boggling.  For example Pine Pollen is one the rarest substances thats Loaded with actual male androgens such as Testosterone, Androstendiol, Androstendione, Epitestosterone, DHEA, and a few others. 

"How much testosterone" ?  you might ask.

Here are the facts 

The Pinus Sylverstis variete for example contains: 80 ng/g of testosterone, 110 ng/g of epitestosterone, and 590 ng/g androstenedione

   

The average male has around 25,000 to 100,000 ngs of Test in his system.

100 Grams of Pine Pollen contains about 8,000 ng's of actual Testosterone.

Quite a hefty dose I should say...

But before you go and start ingesting Pine Pollen Powder here are a few tips I have discovered which have given me the maximum benefit from supplementing with this Chinese Herb.

First of all a bag of Pine Pollen comes in either a powder form or liquid extract (Tincture).

The difference is that the powder is its basic raw form. The least effective way to take the powder is to put it in capsules. Because the powder molecules bypass the sublingual cavity in the mouth, thus preventing a major amount of absorption, it is then subjected to the harsh stomach acids and a lot of the fragile testosterone and other androgens are mostly destroyed. The only effective way to get proper absorption from the powder is to Mega Dose it. 

“Oral dosing in China runs from 5 to 10 grams per day, which, barring the problems of testosterone going through the GI tract, would give a comparatively high dose of testosterone every day.”
– ­Stephen Harrod Buhner

The 2nd least effective way to take it is in a drink mix like a protein shake or other cold liquid. Again You will be destroying most of the delicate structures of the hormones in the stomach acid some more will get through the sublingual cavity of the mouth as you drink it. Although you will be getting some benefit from the Pine Pollen as a super food because it also contains a whopping

• 20 kinds of amino acid, 8 of which are essential to the body.
• 14 kinds of vitamins.
• 30 kinds of mineral elements.
• About a hundred kinds of enzymes and active substances.
• Nucleic acids, fibrins, unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, choline, etc.

A better way the Powder form of Pine Pollen is for me 2 teaspoons mixed in hot water as in a tea mixture or by itself. It has a rather mild , bland taste but is completely suitable to drink after the hot water has cooled off for a while. Let it sit or steep for as long as you can , the longer it sits the better it gets. Typically I dose in the morning and sometimes at night before bed.      

• Arginine – 99.8 mg
• Histidine – 18.9 mg
• Isoleucine – 53.9 mg
• Leucine – 84.6 mg
• Lysine – 80.2 mg
• Phenylalanine – 57.2 mg
• Threonine – 49.2 mg
• Tryptophan – 14.9 mg
• Valine – 64.6 mg

  Using this method it took me a few seconds to feel the rush of energy mostly mental . Now this is not typical for most people . I am extremely sensitive person and literally FEEL herbs working in me! Its crazy I know but I'll take it...the first time I had it I went and did 97 partial rep dips, when normally I can only do around 55-65.

  If you are not a very sensitive person the effect may take hours, days or even weeks for you to feel some form of tangible sense that its working. It does have an accumulative effect as well so the longer you are on it up to 4-6 weeks you may feel a gradual sense of Well being, an increase in energy, strength and endurance, sleeping better, getting more work done, a stronger desire to "Get With" your spouse, a positive attitude, workout motivation, more optimism, better mood... etc.

Your age will play a HUGE role in how fast you may feel the effects of Pine Pollen. Males 16-25 generally are already producing high amounts of Testosterone and the effect would be more the older you are after 30 ish... Men over 40 to 65 will feel the most dramatic effect because we generally have low Test. 

  I am 49 so this stuff really kicked in for me. I have had symptoms of low Testosterone as far back as 15 years ago.

  The Absolute BEST way to take Pine Pollen is in a tincture form and here's why.

Tinctures pull or extract the hormones directly out of the Pine Pollen Powder. Its like when you make a spaghetti dinner and the longer it cooks the better it gets, especially the next day, thats because all of the spices have been drawn out through the cooking process. The Pine Pollen tincture is at least 10 times stronger than the powder in my opinion. Also the delivery system is 10 times better than ingesting it. As the liquid tincture enters your mouth hold it there for as long as you can, the insides of your cheeks called the buccal cavity and the sublingual area under the tongue will ABSORB the fragile hormones DIRECTLY into your bloodstream, bypassing the damaging stomach acids!

This is the brand that I use and trust.

  This method is extremely potent use with caution. The tincture contains hormones where as the powder form is more of a super food with many other benefits. I used a total of 2 to 3 teaspoons daily in hot water + 2 squirts of tincture on workout days. Yes even women need testosterone. However just note that if you are female a short term use is better because you may develop some facial hair if you are on the tincture too long, or other male characteristics. I would stick to the powder form... 

  Athletes guide to MAX Testosterone would be a combination of the Pine Pollen Powder + the Tincture.

I have been steadily using it for the past 5 months and have noticed considerable strength gains, massive energy, more reps, more sets, quicker recovery, way better mood, less irritable, while I am on it 5-6 weeks and then when I go off of it for a short cycle 3 or 4 days, my energy levels and everything goes down gradually as well. Then when I go back on it , everything returns gradually over the next week or so.

  I have to say this is the BEST supplement I have ever used in over 30 years!! for increasing my overall energy, strength, stamina, mood, positive outlook .... 

   Get your Pine Pollen Powder and Tincture here.

 Get Stronger Faster!

Maximus Fitness

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Arnold Chest Training

Arnold Chest Training Routine

                                                                             

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Pine Pollen Superfood of the 21st Century

 DO NOT make another diet and exercise resolution!

DO NOT make diet and exercise your new year’s resolution

Rethink your 2017 resolution

Hi there Fitness Friends,

I want ask you something a little personal...

As the year winds down and 2017 is already here, are you feeling a little worn out and off-kilter?

Have you been looking in the mirror lately only to see a wider backside, darker circles, and think to yourself "Is that another new wrinkle?!"

Do you feel like you just don't have any energy left at the end of the day to be a responsive partner to your spouse, let alone enough energy to take on a whole new year?

If any of that sounds familiar, and you want a become happier, healthier you in 2017...

...you should know that the problem you are experiencing stems from Hormone Imbalance - And that is something NO amount of diet and exercise can fully cure.

You’ll need internal support and fundamental hormone balance in order to achieve overall health.

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Don’t let your 2017 turn into another rut of a year with an energy level that’s barely getting you by, and less than optimal health.

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Get Stronger Faster

Maximus

P.S. Don’t forget your Pine Pollen purchase to help you resolve to make 2017 your year of health!

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Cinescent by Gabriela Guidetti : Resina, by Oliver&Co. Perfumes (February 2017)

 

Resina - Oliver & Co.Perfumes (2012) 

VS 

The Secret in Their Eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) - Juan José Campanella (2009)

Irene: Va a ser complicado.
Benjamin: No me importa.
Irene: Cerrá la puerta.
(From The Secret in Their Eyes - El secreto de sus ojos, 2009)

Oliver Valverde is a young Nose, self-taught, and challenge-lover. He was used since childhood to admire, study and process a lot of raw materials (natural and synthetic) with one goal: trying to create new olfactory worlds. In Oliver's vocabulary the word "tradition" simply does not exist, because he is convinced that only a research with no parameters or olfactory pyramids can create something of exceptional and original.
So, this is the concept giving rise to his first production: "Illustrated Series" (2012), consisting of seven fragrances whose only connection is an abstract processing of various ingredients with the ultimate aim of giving them an innovative identity. Intersection of smells and textures that floors and gives life to something amazing, something unexpected.
Similarly to the plot of The Secret in Their Eyes - El secreto de sus ojos,  a masterpiece by Argentine director Juan José Campanella, who won the Oscar for Best Foreign Movie in the following year. Could this movie be defined as a thriller? Or a political  movie? Or maybe romantic? Perhaps a drama about revenge and atonement? Probably The Secret in Their Eyes is all these things.

During the Seventies an agent, helped by a young lady, the new Chancellor of the Public Prosecutor's office, investigates a terrible crime, but the long shadow of political corruption prevents him from delivering the real killer to justice. After twenty years the protagonists found themselves dealing again with the crime and with an ever understood and never exhibited love. In the flow of time, love and hate never disappeared, but went up to the unexpected and devastating ending. Engaging, action-packed and dramatic, the plot unfolds between different perspectives apparently antithetical and unethical. In the end the work of Campanella left a deep and touching tribute to love, that causes and justifies everything. In the words of the great poet Dante Alighieri: Love, that exempts no one beloved from loving. 
The same love that we find in Oliver's creations, a fragrant feeling that joins the scented levels of his complex and unexpected fragrances. Like Resina, in which a wave of golden resins envelops and lightes up the other notes composing the scent. And since the opening of the perfume these deep notes emerge, even if usually they accompany the base, excited by balsamic notes of cold and warm spices. The white jasmine and the essence of the Australian fire tree oil refine the evolution of the fragrance that slowly softens in star anise and tonka beans notes. But the spiral of resins doesn't cease to vibrate. Benzoin, elemi, frankincense, labdanum, myrrh, opoponax and tolu balsam is an underground river that connects all the fragrance from beginning to the end without obeying the rules that would like to put these raw materials in the base of the olfactory pyramid. Yet although Resina, as all the other fragrances created by Oliver, does not have a traditional composition and may sound a blend not fitted into one fragrance family, the result is amazing. As Resina evolves it envelops the skin and promises a comfortable olfactory cohabitation. Soft and warm, aromatic and sweet, the scent turns into an exciting embrace that warms the heart. Like love that after so many years of waiting a woman and a man finally make bloom in the Secret of Their Eyes.

Resina - Oliver & Co Perfumes 2012
Eau de Parfum
Nose: Oliver Valverde
Family: Aromatic
The scent includes notes of benzoin, coffee extract, elemi resin, fir, fire tree, frankincense, fresh, ginger, jasmine sambac, labdanum, myrrh, nutmeg, opoponax, rooibos tincture, star anise, tolu balsam, tonka bean
website : www.oliverandcoperfumes.com/


El secreto de sus ojos - Juan José Campanella 2009
Starring: Ricardo Darin Benjamín Esposito; Soledad Villamil: Irene Menéndez Hastings; Pablo Rago: Ricardo Morales; Javier Godino: Isidoro Gómez
Screenplay by Eduardo Sacheri and Juan Jose Campanella
Oscar winner in 2010 for best foreign film

-----(italian)------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oliver Valverde è un giovane naso, autodidatta e amante delle sfide, abituato fin da ragazzo ad ammirare, studiare e lavorare le materie prime, naturali e sintetiche, con un unico obiettivo: provare a creare mondi olfattivi nuovi. Nel vocabolario di Oliver manca la parola tradizione, perché egli è convinto che solo della ricerca libera da parametri o piramidi olfattive può nascere qualcosa di eccezionale e originale. 
E da questo concetto nasce nel 2012 la sua prima produzione: Illustrated Series, composto da sette fragranze che hanno come unico elemento comune l'elaborazione astratta di ingredienti diversi con il fine ultimo di dare loro un'inedita identità.
Intreccio di odori e di consistenze che spiazzano e danno vita a qualcosa di stupefacente, qualcosa che non ti aspetti.
Come l'intreccio di Il Segreto dei suoi occhi, capolavoro argentino del 2009, diretto da Juan Josè Campanella che si è portato a casa l'Oscar per il film straniero nell'anno successivo. Si può definire questa pellicola un thriller? O un film politico? O forse un film d'amore? Magari un film drammatico sulla vendetta e l'espiazione? Probabilmente Il Segreto dei suoi occhi è tutto questo.  

Negli anni settanta un agente, aiutato dalla nuova cancelliera della procura, indaga su un terribile delitto, ma l'ombra lunga della corruzione e della politica gli impedisce di consegnare il vero colpevole alla giustizia. Dopo vent'anni i protagonisti di quella vicenda si ritrovano di nuovo a fare i conti con quel delitto e con un amore sempre sottinteso e mai esibito. Nel flusso del tempo che passa i sentimenti di amore e di odio non si affievoliscono, ma si amplificano, fino al sorprendente e straziante epilogo. Avvincente, ricca di azione e drammatica, la trama si dipana tra piani di lettura apparentemente antitetici e antietici. Alla fine quello che resta dell'opera di Campanella è un profondo ed emozionante omaggio all'amore che tutto causa e che tutto giustifica. Con le parole del sommo poeta Amor, ch'a nullo amato amar perdona.
Lo stesso amore che si trova nelle creazioni di Oliver, un sentimento profumato che unisce i piani odorosi delle sue fragranze complesse e inaspettate. Come in Resina, in cui un'onda di resine dorate avvolgono e illuminano le altre note che compongono il profumo. E fin dall'apertura della fragranza questi accordi profondi che normalmente accompagnano le note di fondo di un profumo emergono, eccitati da note balsamiche e da spezie fredde e calde. Il candido gelsomino e l'essenza dell'olio di albero del fuoco australiano ingentiliscono l'evolversi della fragranza che lentamente si addolcisce nelle note di anice stellato e fave tonka. Ma la spirale di resine non cessa di pulsare. Benzoino, elemi, incenso, labdano, mirra, opoponax e balsamo di tolu sono un fiume sotterraneo che lega tutta la fragranza dall'inizio alla fine senza ubbidire alle regole che vorrebbero queste materie profumate fissate nel fondo della piramide olfattiva. Eppure anche se Resina, come tutte le altre fragranze create da Oliver, non ha una scrittura tradizionale e può sembrare un blend apparentemente non incasellabile in una unica famiglia olfattiva, il risultato è sorprendente. Mano a mano che si evolve Resina avvolge la pelle e promette una convivenza olfattiva confortevole. Morbido e caldo, aromatico e soave, il profumo si trasforma in un abbraccio emozionante che riscalda cuore. Come l'amore che dopo tanti anni di attesa una donna e un uomo riusciranno finalmente a far sbocciare nel segreto dei loro occhi.

Resina – Oliver & Co Perfumes 2012
Eau de Parfum
Naso:  Oliver Valverde
Famiglia: Aromatico
Il profumo comprende le note di abete, albero del fuoco, anice stellato, balsamo di tolu, benzoino, estratto CO2 di caffè, fave tonka, incenso, gelsomino sambac, labdano, mirra, noce moscata, opopnax, elemi, tintura di rooibos, zenzero fresco.
sito www.oliverandcoperfumes.com/

El secreto de sus ojos – Juan José Campanella 2009
Cast: Ricardo Darín: Benjamín Esposito; Soledad Villamil: Irene Menéndez Hastings; Pablo Rago: Ricardo Morales; Javier Godino: Isidoro Gómez
Sceneggiatura di Eduardo Sacheri e Juan José Campanella
Premio Oscar 2010 per il miglior film straniero

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