Sunday, February 28, 2010

Walnuts Feed the Brain!

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

According to a study in the British
Journal of Nutrition, adding 7 to 9
whole walnuts to your daily diet may
improve balance, coordination and memory.

Sweet Potatoes.....Sweet and Healthy!

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

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene and vitamin C. They are high in soluble fiber pectin, which helps lower cholesterol, and prevent constipation and hemorrhoids and may reduce the risk of stomach and colon cancer.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Trash the Trans Fats for Better Health!

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

According to a review in the New England Journal of Medicine, trans fats increase the risk of heart disease more than any other food ingredient. Trans fats have also been shown to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes, gallstones and may even cause greater weight gain than other types of fats.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Broccoli....YUM! And, Good For You Too!

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

Broccoli is considered one of the best vegetables to eat to prevent cancer because of its sulfur compounds.
It is also a great source of calcium, potassium, vitamin C and beta-carotene. When selecting broccoli look for florets with dark green, purple or blue hue.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Want to be Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles? Do This!

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

Drinking plenty of pure water will hydrate your skin cells and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Water also flushes out impurities and improves circulation and blood flow, which will improve skin tone.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Drink Up!

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

If you are feeling sluggish and low on energy, you may be dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to fatigue. It is important to drink approximately half your body weight in ounces of water daily for adequate hydration.

Feel Good About Yourself....Be Creative!

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

Tapping into your creativity can help
you explore your feelings and express
what is on your mind. Expressing your
creativity through painting, music,
photography, knitting, writing or
drawing can give you pleasure and
a deeper understanding of yourself.

Lower Your Blood Pressure the Natural Way!

Your blood pressure could be lower just by indulging more in this sweet tropical treat: bananas.

Cheap and plentiful year-round, bananas are bursting with potassium. And a review of several major studies suggests that people who add the potassium equivalent of an extra 1 1/2 to 2 bananas to their day could drop their blood pressure 2 to 3 points.

More Points for Potassium
Dropping BP by 2 or 3 points is nothing to sneeze at. In fact, it's enough to lower stroke risk. In other research, people with the highest potassium intake levels cut their stroke risk by a whopping 38 percent compared with the people who got the least potassium. This magical mineral works by encouraging your kidneys to filter more pressure-boosting sodium out of your bloodstream. It also helps tiny blood vessels relax and makes pressure sensors in artery walls function more efficiently. (Here's another sweet treat that snares high blood pressure.)

Mass A-Peel
Aim for 3,000 milligrams a day of potassium to get optimal RealAge benefits. But don't rely on pills; they can be dangerous if you have kidney problems. Go with fruits and veggies instead -- not just bananas but prunes, watermelon, baked potatoes with the skin, mushrooms, tomatoes, and other produce, too. Produce will also give you a head start on these important blood pressure control strategies:

Slash the sodium. Fresh produce is naturally low in salt. And licking the salt habit can lower your blood pressure even if it's just a bit high. Here are three ways to slash more salt.
Mine more minerals. Fruits and veggies pack not just potassium but calcium and magnesium as well, two additional pressure-pampering minerals. Get tips on sneaking more veggies into your meals with this video.
Seek a sleeker you. Low-cal fruits and veggies can help you hit a healthy weight, which is important for your blood pressure. Get your waist back in 2 weeks with this YOU Docs plan.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Stimulate Your Mind and Decrease Your RIsk of Dementia!

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

A study in Psychological Medicine found that people with high mental stimulation had a 46%
decreased risk of dementia. Staying mentally
and physically active throughout life is the best way to keep the mind sharp and reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Variety Is The Spice of Life....and Exercise!

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

To get the most from your physical activity, it is important to workout in different ways. Adding variety to your exercise will challenge your mind and body so you can achieve maximum results.

Down In The Dumps? Try This!

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

A study at Harvard Medical School has shown progressive resistance training can be effective in reducing depression. Working out with weights releases endorphins, which are hormones that improve your sense of well-being.

Eat Clean, Move More, Live Longer!

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

"The single most important thing you can do to ensure your physical and mental longevity is to get moving. The best way to age less is to exercise." Edward Schneider, MD

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Mold and Mildew? Green Home Way to Get Rid of It!

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

A natural mold and mildew treatment is to mix one drop of tea tree oil with one cup distilled water and spray on the mold and mildew.

Insects? Green Home Way to Get Rid of Them!

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

To create a natural all-purpose insect repellent,combine in a spray bottle, 1-teaspoon each of pennyroyal and eucalyptus essential oil in 2 cups water. Mix well and spray along the baseboards and other areas infested with insects.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Do You Eat Meat? Sterilize Your Cutting Board!

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

A chemical free way to sterilize your cutting board after cutting raw meat is to pour boiling water over it and then scrub it clean with soap and hot water.

Even better, don't eat meat for a healthier body!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Clogged Kitchen Drains? Try This!

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

Instead of caustic chemicals to clear your drains, add one-cup baking soda and one-cup vinegar to a large pot of boiling water (it will fizz) and pour down the drain. This will break up fatty, greasy clogs. Flush the drain with tap water until the clog clears.

What is Stress?

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

"Stress is a form of energy expenditure - mental, emotional, or physical - which must be offset by a balanced commitment to energy recovery."
Jim Loehr, LGE Performance Systems

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Better Grades? Eat Together at Home!

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

Research has shown that families, who share meals at home, tend to eat meals that are more nutritious and the families are less likely to have overweight children. Eating together has also been shown to increase well-being, decrease stress and improve grades for school-aged children.

Eat Mindfully! Reduce Calorie Intake!

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

One of the best ways to reduce your calorie intake and lose weight is to eat slowly and consciously. Chew your food thoroughly and eat at a table without distractions.

Stick to Your Weight Loss Plan!

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

Consuming foods high in water content such as fresh fruits and vegetables can make you feel full longer and help you stick to your weight loss plan

Move Your Motivation Up a Notch!

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

To motivate yourself to achieve your goals for health such as weight loss or increased physical activity, make a list of all the reasons you want the goal. Keep this list with you and read it whenever you are tempted to overeat or skip your exercise.

Protect Your Eyes From the Sun!

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

To protect your eyes from sun damage,
wear 100% UV blocking brown or amber
sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.

Be Happy!

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

"Happiness and a positive attitude are gifts you can pass along. So get out there and start giving." Denise Austin

Sparkling Water, Low Cal Drink!

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

Sparkling mineral water with a small amount of fresh squeezed juice, fresh mint or ginger is a refreshing, low calorie beverage.

Mind Games to Reduce Stress!

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

When your mind is cluttered with too many thoughts, it can be stressful. To calm and clear your mind, count backward from 20 or say the alphabet backwards.
This will change your focus and clear your mind to reduce stress.

Reduce Stress! Do Something FUN!

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

Taking time for fun, recreation and pleasure is good for you. It can reduce stress and boost your immune system.

Jump Rope for Aerobic Exercise!

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

Jumping rope is an effective aerobic exercise.
It can help you strengthen weak legs, knees and ankles and reduce fat deposits on your legs.

Warm Up and Cool Down When You Exercise!

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

Properly warming up and cooling down
when you exercise will protect your
muscles, ligaments and joints.

Cool Down and Lower Your Heart Rate After Exercising!

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

It is important to cool down and lower your heart rate after exercising. Some simple ways to cool down are slow walking or cycling for 5 minutes or until your breathing is normal and your heart rate is under 100 beats per minute.

Stretch before working out!

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

Stretching is a great way to maintain flexibility and range of motion. To prevent injury, stretch after you have first warmed up your muscles for
6 to 10 minutes.

Warm Up Before You Work Out!

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

Warming-up your muscles for 6 to 10 minutes can assist you in creating an effective workout and reduce your risk of injury. Walking, easy jogging or cycling are good ways to warm up your muscles.

Workout! Reduce Risk of Injury!

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

In order to get a great workout and reduce your risk of injury, a proper workout requires 4 stages.
The four stages are warm-up, stretching, workout and cool down.

Trouble Sleeping?

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

To ensure you get a good nights rest, keep your bedtime and wake up time consistent even on days off and weekends.