GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO EATING GREENS!
I'll be the first to admit that I don't like salads! But a salad loaded with tomatoes, carrots, peppers, broccoli and lettuce certainly has benefits. Eating a wide range of colorful vegetables and fruit provides essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients (plant-nutrients) that your body needs to promote overall good health. Here's a great alternative if you're like me, and don't eat your daily portion of raw vegetables...V8® 100% Vegetable Juice makes it so easy to get these key vitamins and nutrients in one delicious drink. Every 12-ounce bottle of V8 100% Vegetable Juice contains 3 out of 5 of your daily vegetable requirements. Every 8oz of V8 juice equal 2 servings of vegetables.
If you are a rabbit food lover, go for it--eat the greens, but keep in mind the number of calories in 1 tablespoon of poppy seed dressing. Did you know that 40% of most women's fat grams overall come from the salad dressings? So, go for oil and vinegar and save the fat and calories for a "treat" really worth spending the fat grams on!
I'm sure your mom told you over and over to "eat your vegetables," but don't forget about the red, orange, yellow, whites and purples! The more different colored fruits and vegetables you eat, the more health-promoting properties you're absorbing!
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THE ADDED BENEFITS OF EXERCISING WITH A PARTNER
You know, every morning when I'm home,, Thea and I work out together. It's become "our time" and we both agree, it's brought us closer together. If you're beginning an exercise routine, the whole process will seem like a lot less to tackle if you don't go it alone! There are lots of reasons to find a partner who will join you...
- Safety
- Quality Time Spent Together
- Motivation/Support/Fun
- Balance (cardio/weight lifting)
Making plans to work out with a partner not only supports the reasons why above, but makes you more accountable than working out solo thus giving you that extra motivation you need to get your butt in motion. For added fun, dare to challenge each other! Working out with a partner also lessens the mundane work-out routine; you can combine both partners' preferences--both aerobic and anaerobic activities. http://healthy-body-exercises.com/2009/04/07/benefits-of-exercising-with-your-partner/
SWINE FLU PREVENTION
Cold and flu prevention overall is a matter of "automatic" practices, like washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and not touching your hands to your face. With the onset of Swine Flu, it's never been more important to keep routine hygiene practices at top of mind.. Here's some added tips for those who frequent health clubs: Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer cloths in your gym bag or locker; wipe down the machines and benches before and after use. Bring your own floor mat to yoga and palates class as well as a pre-filled water bottle to the gym. (Try to stay away from using the public water fountains.) And...if you shower at the gym, consider spending a couple of bucks at the Dollar Store on a pair of flip flops or shower shoes. All of these things are inexpensive ways to keep you far, far away from the flu! http://www.sensible-health.com/2009/08/how-to-take-precautions-against-swine-flu-tips-to-protect-yourself-from-getting-swine-flu/
LAUGHTER
Recent research published in the International Journal of Obesity has revealed that laughter really is the best medicine, not only for personal, uplifting emotion, but an added benefit for weight loss. The researchers discovered that laughing increased both heart rate and calorie expenditure by up to 20% – and the longer participants laughed, the greater the effects. Using the results, the scientists then went on to calculate that just 15 minutes of laughter a day will burn 10 to 40 calories, depending on a person’s weight and the intensity of the laughter. That’s enough to shift between 1lb and 4lbs a year. So, the next time your in the mood to watch a movie flick or catch the latest blockbuster (at home or the movie theater) choose a comedy and Smart Pop instead of a horror flick and a box of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups! http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/burning_calories/laughing-burns-calories.htm
TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN GOOD EATING HABITS
Getting your kids to eat healthy starts with you--right from the start! As a parent, there are many simple ways to lead your children toward healthy eating habits. The first is simple, introduce them to "good-for-you" foods at a young age (like frozen yogurt on a stick and fruit juices over ice cream and sodas). Believe it or not, the palate has to be "trained." (Remember your baby's face after the first taste of peas from the baby food jar?) If your children come to enjoy the smooth taste of apple juice or freshly squeezed orange juice, the less likely they'll be prone to reach for the pop can. And although they're customarily "kid's" favorites (customary, because we, as parents make them so...), try to stay away from white bread, sugar cereals and processed foods (boxed pizzas, bologna and hot dogs). Keep all of the good-for-you foods in sight and in easy-to-reach places. For snack time, make healthy snacks more readily available by pre-portioning veggies, such as carrots and celery sticks, with ranch dip or apples with fat free caramel dips. http://healthy-body-exercises.com/2009/08/12/how-to-encourage-healthy-eating-habits/ |
