Month: February 2020

No Picture
Health Tips

Two Toxic Food Ingredients That Damage the Brain

February 29, 2020 Comments Off on Two Toxic Food Ingredients That Damage the Brain

Does the food that you eat affect your brain? You bet it does! The brain is the most sensitive organ in the body and it responds immediately to any insults. Unfortunately, the insults I am referring to are not just verbal. Insults can range from not getting enough sleep at night, drinking a soft drink filled with High Fructose Corn Syrup, eating conventionally grown strawberries to fighting with our spouse/boss/children/friends/etc.
Save your brain, people and stop insulting it by doing things that are controllable. The biggest being the food that you eat everyday.
Toxic foods are the some of the biggest insults to our brains, and there are two that are more than likely lurking in your kitchen now. If so, go throw them away! They are:
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS):
This little chemical is now produced by the BILLIONS of pounds of which 66 pounds per year are consumed per person. This form of sugar is much sweeter than sugar but the side effects are that it increases appetite, promotes obesity and is more addictive than cocaine. It is the main form of sweetener in all processed and junk foods. It’s in mostly everything, so check the ingredients! This little chemical can lead to diabetes and an inflamed brain. If you are not convinced yet one more interesting fact is that sugar and HFCS causes crusting in your brain just like a creme brule’ or crispy chicken skin. It does this because the sugar in these foods react with proteins in the body that form plaques called Advanced Gylcation End Products. This plaque gunks up your brain, damaging most cells and tissues.
TRANS OR HYDROGENATED FATS:
These trans fats that are man-made and are in most processed foods, baked goods, fried foods, margarine, etc. Because of they way they are created and are molecularly unstable, they cause anything from increased body inflammation to interrupting basic brain functions.
So what are you waiting for? Any questions about products with HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP or TRANS/HYDROGENATED FATS? Basically, they are bad! Unfortunately, more and more information is coming out these days about each and it’s effects on the body and NONE have had a glowing review.
So what’s the solution? Eat more organic fruits and vegetables to start with. Try two pounds of veggies and 4 servings of fruit per day. Not only will your brain thank you but you will probably shed a few pounds!
Happy Eating!…

No Picture
Health Department

Tips on Reading Nutrition Labels

February 23, 2020 Comments Off on Tips on Reading Nutrition Labels

Many of us may be overeating without even knowing that we are doing so. This is because many of us may not know what is an actual serving size for the products we buy. This is why it is one of the most important things to read on a nutrition label. Once you know what a serving size is, it may help to measure it out and use the same plate or bowl each time. This way you avoid overeating and are staying healthier. If the daily value part of the label confuses you than you are not alone. A good rule to follow for this is to remember that cholesterol and fat should not be higher than five percent and vitamins and minerals should be around twenty percent.
When reading the fat part of the label, it may get confusing because there are so many different kinds of fat. It is important to consider the fat when trying to understand this part. Unsaturated fats help to lower your risk of heart problems and help to keep you energized from inside your body. Trans fat and saturated fats raise bad cholesterol and lower good and increase your risk for heart disease. So, the good fats should be higher and the bad fats lower.
As far as sugars and sodium are concerned just make sure to limit these as much as possible and use the daily value part of the label to help you. The more processed the food is, the more likely it is to have a high amount of sugar and sodium.
We all know that when we are in doubt, we should read labels, but for many of us the nutrition labels have just left us more confused. With these simple tips, reading the label will be easier to understand for everyone. This way you can make sure your family is eating the healthiest foods possible for as long as possible.…

No Picture
Health News

Home Gym Tips

February 21, 2020 Comments Off on Home Gym Tips

Nowadays everyone is busy and don’t have time to invest for their fitness. But it is very important to do exercises regularly or you will ruin your fitness and health as well along with that. So excuses will not work in your favor if you want to maintain good health. So, if you can’t go to gym you have to make routine to do exercises at home. There are many exercises which you can do at home and still can lose weight and maintain your weight. Only thing you need is dedication because without dedication you will not be able to do exercises. Before starting exercises you need warm up as well to decrease the risk of injury. If you don’t do warm up then there is high probability that you may end up hurting yourself. Here are some home gym tips that can help you exercise at home.
A squat is one of the easiest exercises which you can do at home. For this exercise you have to hold some form of weight in your hand then bend your back. By bending your back you are ensuring stretch in back and stomach which is known to be heavy fat area. You have to bend your back till your thigh come in parallel with floor. After holding this position for some time you have to release weight and go back to starting position. Do enough repetitions for good result.
Another exercise which is easy but effective is stepping. Exercises can be divided in two main categories, Aerobics and anaerobic. Stepping is Aerobics kind of exercise. For this exercise,you can either use step in your house or bench. Using chosen probe you can do this exercise by stepping up and down on that.
And simplest exercise to do at home is pushups. You don’t need anything for this exercise. By lying on floor using hands and then moving up and down you can ensure good strong chest and shoulders. If you regularly follow these home gym tips, weight loss and healthy body is guaranteed!…

No Picture
Fitness

Very Veggie – And Very Good – Vegetable Pizza With Two Cheeses

February 16, 2020 Comments Off on Very Veggie – And Very Good – Vegetable Pizza With Two Cheeses

When I last went to the grocery store an employee was giving out samples of vegetable pizza. The idea of vegetable pizza was not exciting, but the smell of melting cheese, garlic and oregano was irresistible. I tried the vegetable pizza and it was good. Really good. Did other shoppers like it?
As I pushed my cart up and down the aisles I looked for people who were chomping on pizza. Their varied ages gave me an idea. Kids who might not eat vegetables might eat them on pizza. It could not be hard to make, so that last thing I put in my grocery cart was a can of refrigerated pizza dough.
I prefer thin crust pizza so this is the kind I bought. Two days later I decided to use the dough. The store pizza had broccoli on it, which is not a favorite of my husband or twin grandchildren who live with us. To make the pizza more appealing I used two cheeses, mozzarella and half Asiago. It was a winning combination.
Vegetables do not cook at the same time. I precooked the onions and mushrooms to ensure their tenderness. The other vegetables, green pepper and Roma tomatoes, were added raw. My recipe calls for a cup of spaghetti sauce and I used a brand that has “more than a full serving of veggies in every 1/2 cup.” Just before I put the pizza in the oven I seasoned it with oregano and pizza grinder spices.
I baked the pizza in a nonstick jelly roll pan according to the dough package directions. Increase the heat by 25 degrees if you use a plain metal pan. Giving your kids vegetable pizza will ensure they get the recommended combination of five fruits and vegetables a day. Actually, some dietitians are now recommending eight servings. The leftovers are a tasty and nutritious lunch.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced
8-ounce box of sliced button mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11-ounce can of refrigerated pizza dough (thin crust)
1/2 large green pepper, sliced
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 cup spaghetti sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Asiago cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon leaf oregano
12 twists of Pizza grinder seasoning
Method
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pour olive oil into skillet. Add sliced onions and saute over medium heat until they are soft and start to brown. Add sliced mushrooms and saute vegetables five more minutes. Season with garlic powder. Coat baking pan with olive oil spray. Unroll dough and spread evenly in pan. Prebake for 3-4 minutes. Remove pan from oven. Spread spaghetti sauce over dough and distribute evenly. Scatter onions and mushrooms over dough. Add green pepper and diced tomatoes. Top with mozzarella and Asiago cheeses. Sprinkle leaf oregano and Pizza grinder seasoning over vegetables. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges start to brown. Pass shredded Parmesan cheese if desired. Makes 8 servings.
Copyright 2010 by Harriet Hodgson…

No Picture
Health Facts

Slimmer Summer Eating

February 11, 2020 Comments Off on Slimmer Summer Eating

Smoothies
Instead of heading to a Smoothie Shop for a refreshing smoothie, opt to make your own! A large smoothie can contain sugar based juices and provide a whooping 1000 plus calories. Blend ice, with your favorite frozen fruit, such as bananas or berries and your choice of whey protein, add water to bring to the consistency of your choice.
Steak
The number one choice for most barbeques is steak! Be mindful of the amount you are eating. A standard size is roughly 8 – 12 oz. But an appropriate size of meat serving is actually 3 oz, a A� of a large steak, which is about the size of the palm of your hand. Save even more calories by opting for only seasoning and no BBQ sauce!
Ice Cream
If you must indulge on those extra hot days, do not choose to eat directly out of the carton! Dish out a small serving size and use a small bowl and spoon. And choose low fat or light ice cream choices that are lower in fat and sugar than premium brands! If you are out an about, opt for single servings or 1 scoop options! And only consume this delicious treat on cheat days!
Salad
Salad is a prime choice as a summer side dish, and the type of salad can determine if you are getting a creamy or vinaigrette option. Avoid the Caesar salads, or any salad for that matter that has a cream based dressing. Opt for large green salads with vinaigrette dressing. And always ask for dressing on the side. Cut dressing serving in half by using just 2 tablespoons instead of 4! And it that seems dry, add lemon, or balsamic vinegar which add lots of flavor but minimal calories.
Chicken Breast
Even though chicken is a stable of most diets, make sure you are getting the right size of portion. Opt for a 3 oz serving which provides approximately 20 g of protein per serving. Opt for vinaigrette marinades or mustard on top and avoid the sugar based BBQ sauce!
Margaritas and Mojitos
A favorite of summer – mixed cocktails provide a refreshing beverage on a hot day. However, not only are these not refreshing, they contain far more alcohol, sugar and calories than non-mixed drinks. Switch to wine or liquor on the rocks mixed with club soda or diet pop, and in-between drinks don’t forget to drink water, to fill you up and keep you hydrated!
Potato Chips and Nachos
Instead of evening thinking about eating either of these popular snacks, put them down and walk away! Chips can contribute to long-term weight gain than any other food! Choose popped or baked options, or even gluten free options made from healthier ingredients and loaded with omega fats and fiber.…

No Picture
General Article

Is Microwaving Food Healthy?

February 11, 2020 Comments Off on Is Microwaving Food Healthy?

When you want to maintain a healthy diet, you need to make sure you eat the right foods and that you prepare them correctly. From eating raw foods to boiling or baking them, there are a lot of ways you can do that. Microwaving is an especially popular way to heat up leftovers when you don’t have a ton of time to cook. However, you might be concerned about the waves that a microwave emits and how that might affect your food.

How Microwaves Work

Microwaves use a small amount of radiation to channel heat to your food. That means your food can heat up quickly, and all you have to do is put food inside and set the timer. Microwaves have different parts such as directional couplers that produce that small bit of radiation. Now, radiation might sound like a scary word, and that radiation could make you think twice about using a microwave. However, the amount of radiation in an appliance isn’t enough to do serious harm.

Is Microwaving Healthy?

In many cases, microwaving food won’t affect the health of your food. If you have a health bowl of ingredients that you want to warm up, you can do so with your microwave. Of course, the microwave has to use radiation and energy to heat your food. However, if you’re concerned about the health of the food you eat, you don’t have to worry. While eating fresh foods is the most healthy option, you can confidently cook food in the microwave if you need a convenient meal.

What You Cook, Not How You Cook

While the way you cook food matters, the most important part of a healthy diet is what foods you eat. If you microwave vegetables, that’s still going to be a better option than baking chocolate chip cookies. The latter may be a nice treat, and baking is a great way to cook foods. However, you want to focus on the ingredients that you choose to eat rather than how you prepare them.

Microwaves and radiation can sound scary, especially when you want to eat a healthy diet full of natural, fresh foods. Luckily, you can use the convenience of a microwave oven without sacrificing the quality of the food you eat.…

No Picture
General Article

How Playing Golf Can Improve Your Health

February 11, 2020 Comments Off on How Playing Golf Can Improve Your Health

Golf has a reputation as a sport involving low impact and minimal effort. This is only half true. There is plenty of athleticism involved in playing the game, so much so that golf conditioning Burlington ON is available to help prevent sports injuries. Therefore, it is not true that golf is non-athletic or requires only minimal effort.

However, it is true that golf is a low-impact sport. This is evident from the lack of back-and-forth motion, jumping, or sprinting. This makes golf a good activity for those who want to improve their health and stay active without putting undue stress on their joints.

Playing golf can offer significant benefits to your health, both physical and mental. Here are some of the ways that it can put you on the path to self-improvement.

1. Walking Workout

Walking is one of the most fundamental forms of exercise. It helps to improve cardiovascular health and burns calories. During an 18-hole game of golf, you may burn 1,400 calories by walking a total of six miles as you locate the ball after you hit it.

2. Social Interaction

Connection to other people is important for your mental and emotional health. Golf gives you a chance to interact socially when you either play with someone else or against someone in a friendly competition. The combination of frequent downtime, low intensity, and serenity when out on the links helps to facilitate conversation.

3. Mental Stimulation

The health of the mind and body are often closely connected. You can positively affect your mental health just by staying physically active. However, golf also stimulates your mind due to the focus and concentration it requires. There are programs in which veterans play golf to lessen the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder from combat. Playing golf can help to alleviate feelings and thoughts of negativity.

Some people are turned off by golf’s unearned reputation. If you have been thinking about taking it up, now might be a good time to start for your health.…