Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Small Changes make BIG changes!

In your effort to be healthier, remember that little things mean a lot.


Health Tip of the Day
"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"

Clutter and chaos in a house appears to be linked
with emotional eating. There is a connection between organizing clutter and losing weight.

Monday, April 28, 2008

A blender drink to help your blood sugar

RealAge Tip
A Smoothie Path to Better Blood Sugar
Tart apple and spicy cinnamon can sure get your taste buds tapping. But help control your blood sugar, too? It very well might.

Turns out that a daily dose of cinnamon may help improve insulin receptivity -- an important part of blood sugar control. Slip a little more cinnamon into your day with a Double Apple Cinnamon Smoothie (recipe below).

A Little Does a Lot
You may need only a little bit of cinnamon -- as little as a quarter teaspoon a day -- to reap blood sugar rewards. Just don't overdo it -- highly unlikely with a typical diet, but loading up via supplements could be toxic.

Another cinnamon bonus:
When you add it to high-glycemic-index foods, it can help lessen their impact on your blood sugar.

Double Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
This cinnamon-inspired smoothie recipe is brought to you compliments of the YOU docs -- Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD -- and their newly updated and expanded YOU: The Owner's Manual.

To be sure you get enough cinnamon -- this recipe serves two -- we suggest topping your drink with a generous sprinkling of the fragrant spice.

Ingredients
1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, not thawed
1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
3/4 cup vanilla or plain fat-free or light soymilk
3/4 cup low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt
1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice

PreparationCombine all ingredients in a blender container.
Cover; blend at high speed for 1 minute.
Pour into frosty mugs, if desired, and top with powdered cinnamon.

Makes 2 servings.

Nutrition information (per serving):
204 calories; 3.4 grams fat (1.3 grams aging fats);
5.6 milligrams cholesterol;
34.9 grams carbohydrate;
9.1 grams protein;
2.7 grams fiber;
266 milligrams sodium;
566 milligrams potassium.

Find more than 75 pages of new material and over 50 pages of healthy-meets-tasty recipes in the updated and expanded YOU: The Owner's Manual.

RealAge Benefit: Reducing your risk of diabetes by losing excess weight can make your RealAge half a year younger for each year you have tight control of blood sugar and blood pressure.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Take a nap or watch TV after meals?

Here's a health tip for you:


Lying down after a meal tends to turn off or reduce the
rate of digestion. Walking or light-exercise after meals
keep the blood circulating and organs active.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Today is National Start! Walking Day

Today is national Start! Walking Day so it's the perfect time to start a walking program! The goal is to log a million miles today and YOU can be a part of that goal. Just take your walk and then log it on www.heart.org/start.

I normally walk at least 3.2 miles a day around the outside of the golf course across the street and many days I do it twice.

See if you can go farther than me!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

This Week's Favorite Sandwich

I have a new favorite sandwich this week and it is below.

2 slices 100% fresh ground whole wheat bread
Emerald Valley Organic Hummus (Smoked Jalapeno and Garlic Flavor)
Almond Jalapeno Jack style cheese (non-dairy)

Lightly toast the bread. Spread the hummus on both pieces (I like it very thick). Thinly slice the Almond Jalapeno and put between the bread.

YUM!