Foods that Provide Sun Protection
Summer is here! Yet, summer can take a toll on our skin. Being outdoors in the sun can be both beneficial and challenging all at the same time.
Salad – “herba salta”
Salad comes from the Latin word “herba salta” which translates to salted herbs because greens were usually seasoned with dressings containing a lot of salt.
“Restart” Your Health
How is your health? In the past year have you gained some extra weight? Maybe not feeling as fit as you would like? The world has changed over the past 14 months and it has not been for the better, especially when it comes to our overall health. With stress, fear, and anxiety increasing during the lockdowns, many have gained 5, 10, or even 30 pounds.
Developing Habits to Improve Your Health
Health doesn’t just happen unfortunately. This has become more obvious the older that I get. Most of us assume that our genetics determine our health status, but this is not entirely true. Think of your genes as a deck of cards that you are dealt, but you can decide how those cards are played. The study of this is called epigenetics – “the study of how our behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way our genes work” according to the CDC.
Gardening for Health
April is both National Gardening Month and Stress Awareness Month. Gardening has many health benefits besides homegrown food one of which is stress reduction. Check out just how great gardening can be for your health.
Move More Month
April has been designated Move More Month by the American Heart Association. It is a great time of year to get back to moving with winter coming to an end. Even with restrictions for some activities, it is important for your overall health to get moving. Some interesting statistics to look at:
Empowering Your Health in the Kitchen
Throughout my blog posts, I share the importance of investing in your health through diet, exercise, and spiritual avenues. Humans consist of a body, soul, and spirit; each area needs to be nourished and provided the tools to flourish. I focus a lot on the diet as I believe it is our foundation of health.
To Snack or Not to Snack?
The question as to whether we should snack or not does not have a simple answer; it is going to depend on you as an individual. For me, snacking helps maintain my energy level and a healthy weight. I have tried going without snacks and it doesn’t work. I am trying to drop my evening snack as this can affect my sleep. Sometimes habits are difficult to break and this is one I struggle with. I will let you know when I master this one. Okay, back to whether we should snack or not.
What is a Healthy Portion Size?
Portion control can be difficult to manage. How do we determine the right amount of food to eat? What is the difference between a portion and a serving?
A serving is a standard amount of food, such as a cup, tablespoon, or ounce. This is not the recommended size, just a standard measurement. A portion is actually how much we eat. Being overweight or obese is a challenge in the US; many adults and one out of three children are considered overweight or obese. Is there a relationship to our weight and our portion size?
The Macronutrients: Protein
The “Macros” are the nutrients that the body uses in large amounts and each day our bodies need a fresh supply of these macronutrients. There are three macronutrients: Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrate. Yes, your body needs all three to function in a healthy way, but we are each individuals, so our personal needs will vary. Let’s start with protein.