Saturday, December 31, 2011

S--t--r--e--t--c--h!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



To maintain flexibility it is important to stretch muscles. When stretching, ease into position and gently stretch for 25 seconds. Don't bounce or force yourself into an uncomfortable position.

Sleep Well!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



For a good night sleep, avoid eating and drinking several hours before bedtime.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Keep Your Lists Current!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Keep a current list of all medication you take including both prescription and over the counter medication as well as herbal remedies and vitamins.

Bring this list with you to all doctor appointments.

Didn't Your Mother Say to Chew Your Food? Yep, She's Right Again!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Chew food thoroughly before swallowing to aid in the digestion of food.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Check Your Cholesterol!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



High levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol are risk factors for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Check Your Blood Pressure

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Everyone should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years--more often if you have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes or are pregnant.

Natural Skin Smoothing Recipe!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



For a refreshing, skin smoothing bath, slice one navel orange, and insert 1/2 cup whole cloves into the slices, fill bathtub with 90 to 95 degree water and add orange slices plus 1/2 cup cloves, 1 cup orange juice, cup soy milk and 2 teaspoons lavender essential oil.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Houseplants Give Off Oxygen

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



According to B.C. Wolverton, Ph.D: "Houseplants give off oxygen and help remove chemicals like formaldehyde, a common indoor vapor that can cause respiratory and neurological problems, as well as cancer."

Peace Lily?

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



The peace lily can remove household toxins such as acetone, benzene, alcohols, and ammonia from the air around you.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Get Checked!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Everyone should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years--more often if you have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes or are pregnant.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Have Fun While You Get Fit!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



"Find fitness with fun dancing. It is fun and makes you forget about the dreaded exercise."

~Paula Abdul

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Optimum Cholesterol Level?

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



The guideline for optimal total cholesterol is under 160, with the LDL (bad cholesterol) under 100 and the HDL (good cholesterol) above 60.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Trick is to Combine!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



According to research in America and South Africa, people who combine aerobics and weight training for 16 weeks ate less calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat than those who did only aerobics or weight training.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Check Out This Fact!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



A study in the journal Obesity, found that when food is served at the dinner table people consume 35% more than if food is served in the kitchen and not easily accessible for second helpings.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Choose Breakfast!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who skipped breakfast were 4.5 times more likely to be obese.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Rosemary and Thyme Help Reduce HCA's by 87%

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



According to research at Kansas State University, adding rosemary and thyme to your favorite marinade and soaking meat for at least 1 hour prior to grilling will decrease HCAs by as much as 87%.

What are HCA's and PAH's?

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Processed, charred and well done meats may contain heterocyclic amines (HCA) which forms on meat seared at high temperatures or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which get into charbroiled foods, which have been linked to causing cancer.

A better choice would be to avoid the char broiled meats.......or eliminate the meats altoghether!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Is Eating Meat Really Cheaper than Being Vegetarian?

"A diet that relies heavily on meat only appears affordable and environmentally sustainable to those who are unaware of its larger ecological costs; who assume such costs do not have to be factored into our choices and their consequences; or who believe that the costs can be passed on to others, such as people in developing nations and our children."




Michael Allen Fox

Professor of Philosophy

Queen's University

Kingston, Ontario

Know How to Wash Your Hands? Maybe.....Maybe Not!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



To properly wash your hands, apply soap and warm water; rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, rinse well and dry with clean paper towel. If using a public restroom, use a towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Remember to Wash Your Hands......Your Mom

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of developing bacterial or viral infections.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Is Walking Better Than Medicine? Yep!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



"A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."

~Paul Dudley White

Friday, December 2, 2011

Silence the Stress!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Prolonged stress hormone elevation can result in headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, depression and elevated blood sugar.

Blueberry Benefits by Dr. Oz

Okay, it's no news flash that blueberries are nutritious. They've been high on our suggested shopping list for years now, and they're easy to love. Lately, they've been getting more good press than a presidential contender (not hard!). If you were choosing just one fruit to eat every day, a big handful of blueberries -- fresh or frozen -- would be hard to beat. Why?

They make high blood pressure take a nosedive. Eating blueberries daily for just 8 weeks can drop your blood pressure by 4% to 6%. That's a lot. Even more impressive, it works on obese adults with metabolic syndrome, a scary group of risk factors that invites heart disease and diabetes. The "dose": about 2 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries. Just put a bunch on your cereal and use the rest in this Spinach Salad with Steak and Blueberries recipe. (By the way, blueberries aren't the only blood-pressure-friendly fruit. Cranberries, strawberries, and raspberries help, too.)

They could cut your LDL cholesterol almost in half. Blueberry researchers -- yep, there are people who do nothing else -- believe the berries activate certain genes in your liver cells that help flush out lousy cholesterol by 44%. This happens in just 3 weeks in the lab. Pretty impressive, though more study is needed. (Meanwhile, there's also evidence that eating blueberries every day helps keep your colon healthy and shields your brain against Alzheimer's and premature aging. (Here are even more ways.) What are you waiting for? Get your berries on!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Stress Stresses the Body!

Health Tip of the Day


"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"



Long-term uncontrolled levels of stress keep cortisol and other stress hormones elevated for long periods of time.