When I lived in California I found it easier and cheaper to buy organic fruits and vegetables. One time I was actually able to find organic strawberries on sale and cheaper than regular strawberries. Unfortunately in Maryland I find it extremely difficult to find fresh organic produce. I use the guide below whenever I am unable to find organic produce.
According to the Environmental Working Group, these are the fruits and vegetables least likely to be contaminated
Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mangos
Asparagus
Sweet peas
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Sweet potatoes
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Make Exercise Fun!
Here are a few suggestions to vary your workout and make it more interesting.
If you are at home, listen to music or watch television (listening to music is not recommended if you are an outside runner). If you get bored exercising at home, go to the gym. Watching other people training and socializing can help you work out.
Exercise in a park, along a trail, or in a new location.
Exercise with a friend.
Challenge yourself by trying to exercise "harder" than you did the last time.
Do an activity you do not usually do.
Exercise in a public place (where you can look at others).
Make a day of it -- bring everything you'll need (within reason) for a day of hiking, biking, swimming, etc.
Take an aerobics, swim, or dance class.
Consider getting a dog so you have a built-in excuse to walk every day.
Join a running or walking club
Enjoy!
If you are at home, listen to music or watch television (listening to music is not recommended if you are an outside runner). If you get bored exercising at home, go to the gym. Watching other people training and socializing can help you work out.
Exercise in a park, along a trail, or in a new location.
Exercise with a friend.
Challenge yourself by trying to exercise "harder" than you did the last time.
Do an activity you do not usually do.
Exercise in a public place (where you can look at others).
Make a day of it -- bring everything you'll need (within reason) for a day of hiking, biking, swimming, etc.
Take an aerobics, swim, or dance class.
Consider getting a dog so you have a built-in excuse to walk every day.
Join a running or walking club
Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March is National Nutrition Month
The theme for March 2010 is "Nutrition From the Ground Up."
National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
Words that pop into my mind when I think about the phrase "nutrition from the ground up" include home grown, fresh organic, fruits, vegetables, natural, healthy, grass-fed, home-made, home grown, unprocessed, foods that can be pronounced.
National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
Words that pop into my mind when I think about the phrase "nutrition from the ground up" include home grown, fresh organic, fruits, vegetables, natural, healthy, grass-fed, home-made, home grown, unprocessed, foods that can be pronounced.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Yeah for Daylight Savings Time!
Last night we put the clocks 1 hour ahead so today is officially Daylight Savings Time! One more hour of daylight and another sign that spring is in the air. More daylight means more sunshine and I love the sun and warm weather. I am really looking forward to going to the track to run sprints and bleachers. In a recent study, people got bigger boosts in physical and mental energy when they exercised outdoors, compared to inside. Research has also shown that people become more active as the days get longer.
Time to get off that couch and get ready for tank tops, shorts and sandals!
Time to get off that couch and get ready for tank tops, shorts and sandals!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Title Nine - Food As Fad!
"Atkins diet, Grapefruit diet, Lo-carb diet, No-carb, Icecream diet, Donut Diet. It's enough to make ya crazy. Even some seemingly reasonable claims as organice, all-natural, and local can get elevated to cult status. How to make sense of it all?? There's no money to be made in it, but he truth to the matter is the best "diet" of all is one that's heavy on common sense and light on wishful thinking. A couple of my rules of the road eating: If you can't pronounce it, I probably shouldn't eat it. Avoid oxymoronic food: fat-free french fries, sugar-free cookies. When all else fails, I try to embrace moderation...just one _____"
The above are the words of Missy Park, Founder of Title Nine clothing company, I can't argue with any of that!
I just received a catalog from the store Title Nine and I really like their clothes. They are sportwear type of clothes that look really comfortable. I think they have some of the best sports bras. Title is one of the few clothing company that does not use skinny models. The models look like they are athletic and healthy!
The above are the words of Missy Park, Founder of Title Nine clothing company, I can't argue with any of that!
I just received a catalog from the store Title Nine and I really like their clothes. They are sportwear type of clothes that look really comfortable. I think they have some of the best sports bras. Title is one of the few clothing company that does not use skinny models. The models look like they are athletic and healthy!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Heart-Healthy Foods
Take care of your heart and enjoy these foods:
·Oats are nourishing whole grains and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium as well as cholesterol-lowering fiber. Top hot oatmeal with fresh berries.
·Brown rice is another heart-healthy grain that contains B-complex vitamins and fiber. B-complex vitamins, like vitamin B-12 (folate) and vitamin B-6, protect against blood clots and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Like oatmeal, brown rice contains Niacin (vitamin B-3) which helps to increase HDL "good" cholesterol.
·Ground flaxseed, containing omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and phytoestrogens, is a whole grain that hides easily in all sorts of foods. Add a teaspoon to your morning cereal.
·Nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, are an excellent source of healthy fat and nutrients, including fiber and phytosterols. In your next salad, add walnuts for a delicious crunch. You can also add nuts to pastas and pancakes, or you might find it fun to make your own trail mix.
·Blueberries top the list as one of the most powerful disease-fighting fruits because of their potent antioxidants. These delicious berries are also packed with fiber and vitamin C, and are available all year long. Other heart-healthy fruits include cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, papaya and cantaloupe.
·Add a bit of avocado to a salad to up the amount of heart-healthy fats. Avocados can help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and they allow for the absorption of other carotenoids.
·Spinach is a powerhouse. Its rich, dark color comes from the multiple phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals (especially folate and iron) that help to fight disease, protect against heart disease, and preserve your eyesight. Broccoli, red bell peppers, asparagus, and sweet potatoes are also heart-healthy vegetables packed with vitamins A, E and fiber.
·Use olive oil instead of butter when cooking. Full of monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers LDL cholesterol. Look for an extra-virgin variety as it is the least processed.
·Give soup or salad a heart-healthy nutrient boost with black or kidney beans, which contain B-complex vitamins, niacin, folate, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and fiber.
·Salmon and other omega-3 rich foods, eaten twice a week, may reduce your risk of a heart attack. Omega-3 fatty acids help boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and keep blood clots at bay. Consider choosing wild salmon over farm-raised fish to reduce exposure to insecticides, pesticides, and heavy metals.
·Chocolate, yep chocolate, you can even include chocolate in your heart-healthy diet! Make sure that you choose dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content to get the potential blood pressure lowering benefits.
Enjoy!
·Oats are nourishing whole grains and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium as well as cholesterol-lowering fiber. Top hot oatmeal with fresh berries.
·Brown rice is another heart-healthy grain that contains B-complex vitamins and fiber. B-complex vitamins, like vitamin B-12 (folate) and vitamin B-6, protect against blood clots and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Like oatmeal, brown rice contains Niacin (vitamin B-3) which helps to increase HDL "good" cholesterol.
·Ground flaxseed, containing omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and phytoestrogens, is a whole grain that hides easily in all sorts of foods. Add a teaspoon to your morning cereal.
·Nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, are an excellent source of healthy fat and nutrients, including fiber and phytosterols. In your next salad, add walnuts for a delicious crunch. You can also add nuts to pastas and pancakes, or you might find it fun to make your own trail mix.
·Blueberries top the list as one of the most powerful disease-fighting fruits because of their potent antioxidants. These delicious berries are also packed with fiber and vitamin C, and are available all year long. Other heart-healthy fruits include cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, papaya and cantaloupe.
·Add a bit of avocado to a salad to up the amount of heart-healthy fats. Avocados can help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and they allow for the absorption of other carotenoids.
·Spinach is a powerhouse. Its rich, dark color comes from the multiple phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals (especially folate and iron) that help to fight disease, protect against heart disease, and preserve your eyesight. Broccoli, red bell peppers, asparagus, and sweet potatoes are also heart-healthy vegetables packed with vitamins A, E and fiber.
·Use olive oil instead of butter when cooking. Full of monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers LDL cholesterol. Look for an extra-virgin variety as it is the least processed.
·Give soup or salad a heart-healthy nutrient boost with black or kidney beans, which contain B-complex vitamins, niacin, folate, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and fiber.
·Salmon and other omega-3 rich foods, eaten twice a week, may reduce your risk of a heart attack. Omega-3 fatty acids help boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and keep blood clots at bay. Consider choosing wild salmon over farm-raised fish to reduce exposure to insecticides, pesticides, and heavy metals.
·Chocolate, yep chocolate, you can even include chocolate in your heart-healthy diet! Make sure that you choose dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content to get the potential blood pressure lowering benefits.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
My New Favourite Snacks
These are now my favourite snacks - Sensible Portions Garlic & Chives Pita Bites and Veggie Straws. The problem with them is that they are way too addictive, I can't stop eating them. Each Garden Veggie Straw is made from real potatoes, tomatoes and spinach so you can taste and enjoy their all natural flavor. One bag contains 130 calories, 7 grams of fat, 15 carbs and 1 gram of protein.
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