Aside from a journalist, I'm a competitive long-distance runner and bonafide "health nut." I enjoy sharing what I know about how to live a healthfully in body, mind, and spirit. Since running is on...
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Reproductive Health Tips for Women
by
Heather J.1 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
According to Natural Health magazine, new and ongoing research shows that several natural remedies including a diet centered around fruits and vegetables, herbal and botanical supplements, as well as maintaining a strong immune system can help eliminate dysplasia, preventing cervical cancer altogether. Here are a few tips to do so:1. Take Green ...
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Go Ahead, Be Dense
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Weight loss
To lose or maintain a healthy weight, health experts recommend a high-density diet, which basically means foods that help you feel comfortably full for a longer period of time. For example, you might be hungry ten minutes after you eat that doughnut, but if you ate the same amount of calories in the form of high fiber cereal and lowfat milk, you...
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Beef Jerkey: Healthy Bar Food?
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Heather J.
Posted in: Questions & Answers in Weight loss
Despite its negative connotations, jerky (an Incan Indian word meaning "dried meat") is actually a healthy protein-packed snack. While jerky is most commonly made of beef, other varieties, such as turkey, ostrich, salmon, tuna, and soy, are also on the market. Because the fat is taken off the meat, jerkey provides protein with very few calories....
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Honey for Performance
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Heather J.2 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Vitamins & Supplements
Most endurance athletes have tried more than one flavor of energy gel for long training runs and races…I know I have! For an alternative to these substances, try honey, which has been shown to have a milder effect on blood sugar than glucose gels. In one study, cyclists were randomly assigned to use honey, a glucose gel, or a flavored cal...
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Don't Get Hit By the Pots and Pans
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Heather J.3 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Cooking
Reports are swirling on the potential dangers of using pots and pans. Not as weapons, although that might cause some serious harm (!), but as cooking utensils that purportedly seep metal into our food. Recent studies confirm that most metal cookware doesn’t leech harmful chemicals, but nonstick pans might yield different results. Nonstick pan co...
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Battle Flu Season with Essential Oils
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Heather J.3 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Vitamins & Supplements
It’s important to stay healthy during cold and flu season, which coincides with the holiday season. Essential oils can protect us from a wealth of problems, including sniffles, and general aches and pains. For headaches, inhale peppermint essential oil right from the bottle or put a few drops on a tissue. If you’re feeling feverish, you can rub ...
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The GI, Guys
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
You’ve probably heard the words "glycemic index" or "glycemic load" when it comes to certain foods. What the heck does that mean? The glycemic index (GI) of food is important when constructing a healthy, balanced diet, to promote overall health, and to prevent certain diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The glycemic index indicates how ...
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Eat Well at a Spanish Restaurant
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Heather J.1 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
Did you know that the popular Spanish dish paella could contain more than 1,000 calories. Yikes! Even tapas, those deceptively “small plates? Can be dangerous, as some of those tiny dishes are made with sausage or deep-fried. You can, however, dine well at a Spanish restaurant without eating a day’s worth of calories. Lean toward Ensaladas (sala...
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Healthy Halloween Treat: Pumpkin
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Heather J.1 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
Instead of wondering how to carve your pumpkin this year, maybe you should consider how to cook it! This bright orange squash contains ample nutrients and health benefits, and tastes pretty good, too. Pumpkins are packed with beta cerotene, which helps improve immune function and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. One cup of cooked pum...
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Cutting Calories in the Evening
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Weight loss
At dinner, serve your plate at the kitchen counter rather than set it on the table family style, which prompts people to eat even after they are full. Skipping seconds will shave many unnecessary calories. If you enjoy an occasional nighttime snack, measure out a serving and then put the container away. It's too easy to keep eating and eating if...
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Practice Mindful Eating
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
According to a book called Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think, by Brian Wansink, Ph.D., the average person makes about 250 decisions about food every day, and most people have no idea what influences their choices. Sometimes, it’s as simple as serving size - the more you're served, the more you eat - but we also take cues about eatin...
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Afternoon Energy Boost
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Heather J.7 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Vitamins & Supplements
Can't say awake at work? Me neither! Many days I start nodding off when 3:00 rolls around. Maybe it’s because I’m an early riser, a light sleeper, or run first thing in the morning. Dr. Weil, MD, reports that at least two-thirds of adults say that sleepiness interferes with their concentration at work and makes handling stress on the job more di...
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Crazy for Kefir?
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Heather J.1 Comments
Posted in: Questions & Answers in Healthy Eating
For all of you yogurt eaters, have you ever tried kefir? Kefir, an ancient drink that resembles liquid yogurt, is made by adding a live culture - called kefir “grains” - from a previous batch of kefir to room-temperature milk (usually from a cow, goat, or sheep, although soymilk can be used). The cultures are a combination of bacteria and yeasts...
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Curb Cravings With this Simple Trick
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Weight loss
When snack time rolls around, do you have a hard time resisting the urge to splurge? If so, drink a glass of water before you start eating. Drinking eight ounces of water will fill up your stomach so that when you're done with your snack (if you even choose to snack), you'll be full enough so that you won't eat twice as much as you need to. You ...
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The Wonders of Eggplant
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Heather J.1 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Cooking
The deep purple, pear shaped, and generally odd looking eggplant can be used in a variety of ways, and it is oh so good for you. But what the heck do you do with it? Eggplants come in a few varieties. The most familiar is the globe eggplant, the large oval purple ones that you find in most grocery stores. You can also find smaller globes known a...
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Eat Like a Rainbow
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Heather J.1 Comments
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
Most health experts agree that in order to take in the broadest spectrum of essential nutrients, it’s important to eat as many colors of fruits and vegetables as possible. Here’s how:Red: Cranberries, radicchio, tomatoes, red peppers.Orange and Yellow: Carrots, pumpkin, yellow and orange peppers, squash, and sweet potatoes.Green: Dark leafy gree...
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Resistance Bands for Muscle Tone
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Strength Training
What looks like a giant rubber band, provides resistance for strength training and is easy to travel with?Resistance bands are an inexpensive, convenient, and effective way to tone muscles without having to go to a gym. To firm up a few prominent regions, try these exercises:Bicep Curl: To prepare, lay band on the floor and stand on the middle o...
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Mineral Water as Good or Better Than Still
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
Mineral water is an excellent way to boost your daily H2O intake and add a bit of variety, as well. Mineral water often contains small amounts of calcium and magnesium, although the body probably doesn't absorb many minerals from it. If you drink a lot of mineral water, pay attention to the sodium content, especially if you have high blood press...
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Cutting Calories in the Afternoon
by
Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Weight loss
If you routinely go for a can of soda from the vending machine, skip it. You’ll save about 140 calories. Likewise, steer clear of the food vending machine by bringing a lower calorie snack from home, such as a sliced apple and peanut butter, string cheese, or a cup of yogurt.
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CocoVia: Healthy Indulgence
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Heather J.
Posted in: General Discussion in Healthy Eating
Mars, Inc., the company behind Snickers and M&M’s, has taken the antioxidant benefits of dark chocolate a step further with its new line of dark chocolate bars, CocoVia. In addition to antioxidants, they say they’re a good source of calcium (at least 20 percent of the RDA) and have been fortified with folic acid and vitamins B6, B12, C, and E. P...
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