Archive for the ‘Health Nuggets’ Category
Are you a workout junkie?
Ever since I realized how unhealthy my lifestyle was, I started taking workouts seriously. I would not miss a day of workout because I feel like I always need more of it. But I learned that gym time should also be dialed down if the following occurs already…
Here are five signs you should dial down gym time:
- You’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Healthy levels of exercise should help you sleep, not keep you awake.
- Your heart is racing. Overtraining can cause your heart rate to be elevated, even when you first wake up in the morning. Regularly checking your heart rate can help you know if things are off-kilter. Simply count your pulse for 6 seconds, then add a zero for a quick check.
- Your workouts are getting harder — but you’re doing the same thing. You should get stronger as you exercise. If your usual workouts suddenly feel tougher, leave you feeling especially sore, and require longer recovery, it may be a sign that your body needs a break.
- You have a cold that won’t go away. Research shows that moderate exercise boosts immune function and can even improve the effects of a flu shot. Slaving over the treadmill for hours a day, without ever taking a day off, has the opposite effect.
- You can’t concentrate. Overexercising doesn’t just wear on your body — it has emotional effects too, like feeling distracted or depressed.
So, are you a workout junkie already?
Slimming Breakfast Meals
I am not much of a breakfast person. Coffee is s staple for me in the morning. But I don’t really take in anything other than that most of the time. Whenever I do get to eat breakfast, I eat rice.
If you are a breakfast eater and you want something with lower calories to consume in the morning, I found these 3 slimming morning meals from Yahoo! Shine.
Banana Split Oatmeal
Cook 1/2 c dry old-fashioned oats with water (to desired consistency) and top with 1/4 c microwave frozen strawberries, 1/4 c sliced banana 1 Tbsp semisweet chocolate chips, and 2 tbsp almonds (total calories=359)
Vanilla Fruit-and-Nut Parfait
Mix 11/2 cup whole grain puffed cereal with 6 oz fat-free vanilla yogurt, 1c blueberries, and 2 tbsp almonds (total calories=354)
Apple Pie Smoothie
Blend 1/2 cup fat-free or soy milk; 6 oz fat-free vanilla yogurt; 1 tsp apple pie spice; I medium apple, peeled, cored, and chopped; 2 tbsp cashew butter; and a handful of ice. Transfer to a glass and eat with a spoon (total calories=390)
Let’s eat!
Health Benefits of Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
This is true. There are so many health benefits from eating an apple a day and here are some of it…
Bone Protection – The flavanoid only found in apple called phloridzin may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis. It is also know to increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.
Help in Asthma – There are studies which showed children with asthma who drank apple juice daily suffered from less wheezing, while another study showed that pregnant women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy are known to produce kids who are less prone to asthma.
Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention – The quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Lower Cholesterol – The pectin in apples lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.
Cancer Prevention – Specifically, lung, breast, colon and liver cancer.
Diabetes Management – The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body’s need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.
Weight Loss – A study showed that women who ate 3 apples per day lost more weight while dieting than those who did not eat the fruit.
I should start eating apples more!
Headaches: Is it already a cause for worry?
I found this at Oprah.com and thought I’d share it with you.
Headaches. We all suffer from it. Some of us more frequently than others. But should we start worrying about it already?
It’s probably not cause for worry if…
* The headache comes on after you’ve consumed a large amount of alcohol. You likely have a hangover.
* Your head hurts on days you drink less than your usual amounts of coffee, tea, or soda. You’re probably feeling the effects of caffeine withdrawal.
* You feel a bandlike pain across the front or back of your head or neck. When accompanied by stress or sleep problems, this is most likely a tension headache. If you get one frequently, make an appointment to see your doctor.
* You also have a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, aching muscles, or fever—indications of a viral infection, such as a cold. If the symptoms last more than two weeks, contact your physician; you could have something more than a simple infection.
If your type of headache is not included in the aforementioned, it’s time to see a doctor already. So take note of the type of headache you are having or just had.
Citronella scent
Did you know that mosquitoes hate the citronella scent?
So what better way to enjoy a moment without the nasty bites of mosquitoes than to light up your citronella candles! Go ahead and use your citronella scented candles to create a relaxed mood at home and drive away mosquitoes as well.
Did you know… (2)
A glass of red wine a day dissolves blood clots that can lead to stroke.
Laugh, laugh and laugh to improve blood circulation by 21 percent.
