As you are walking down the aisles of a health food store in an attempt to be healthy, you may be wondering to yourself why everything is labeled "gluten-free." What the heck is gluten, and why should we want gluten-free products?
Gluten is the name for proteins found in specific grains and all forms of wheat. A few favorites, such as pasta, bread, cookies, and cereal, all contain gluten. Unfortunately, these favorites that contain gluten can cause severe reactions to an estimated 3 million Americans who have been diagnosed with celiac disease. Many other Americans who do not have celiac disease are still sensitive to gluten and experience painful symptoms after consuming gluten-containing products. Hence the need for gluten-free foods.
Avoiding gluten-containing foods is a safe method for avoiding the reactions that come with celiac disease. But if you don't have celiac disease and you aren't sensitive to gluten, another motive for avoiding gluten-containing foods is that you might just drop a few pounds if you drop the gluten from your diet.
Foods Naturally Free of Gluten:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cheese
- Many Yogurts (check the label just in case!)
- Most nuts (unless they are coated)
- Fresh, frozen, dried, or canned fruits and vegetables
If you don't have access to a health food store or you don't want to pay the expensive price of shopping at a health food store, buy these naturally gluten-free foods to drop a few pounds or simply to maintain a healthy lifestyle. :)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Know Your Cardio
That's a cute catchy title, right? Progress is being made.
Back to the point: I talk a lot of talk (or write a lot of words? you get what I mean) about the importance of eating healthy foods, but eating right won't improve your health alone. Cardio exercise is 100% necessary to being healthy!
Cardio exercise includes any activity in which you move large muscle groups for at least 15 minutes at an elevated heart rate. Cardio activities are important because they help condition your heart and lungs to move blood and oxygen throughout your body more efficiently. If you don't care about your body spreading blood and oxygen efficiently, remember this: cardio activities also burn body fat.
Which means you can further reduce your guilt from treating yourself to unhealthy foods every now and then by performing at least 30 minutes of cardio five days a week!
Fun/Easy Cardio Activities:
- Walking
This might be the most fun cardio exercise on the list because it is EASY!!! Especially for students who have the option of walking to class! (Gasp.) That's right. Resist the temptation to drive thirty seconds down the street and walk to class to be healthier.
- Running
This is admittedly less fun and less easy than walking, at least for me. If you can do it, more power to you. If you can't, try running just a little bit every day and gradually you will be able to run faster and longer. It's working for me anyway! :)
- Aerobic Dance
Disguising a workout in a dance party can be extremely effective, especially if you happen to be "working out" with your friends. Make a few of your friends join you for a Zumba workout or a similar music-based dance workout and you'll be hooked!
- Swimming
Even though this cardio activity is for the most part seasonal (if you have access to an indoor pool, take advantage of it), swimming is a fun way to work out your entire body. Swimming is also much easier on your joints if walking or running causes you joint pain.
- Sports
Even if you are not blessed with natural grace and athleticism like I am (ha.), partaking in fun sports games like intramurals will allow you the cardio exercise you need while having a good time.
As you can see, getting your daily dose of cardio can be easier than you think, even if you have a hectic college-paced schedule. There are many ways to get the cardio exercise you need, but be sure to try these fun and, most importantly, EASY ways to get your cardio on the go. (There I go being cute and catchy again. It's working!)
Back to the point: I talk a lot of talk (or write a lot of words? you get what I mean) about the importance of eating healthy foods, but eating right won't improve your health alone. Cardio exercise is 100% necessary to being healthy!
Cardio exercise includes any activity in which you move large muscle groups for at least 15 minutes at an elevated heart rate. Cardio activities are important because they help condition your heart and lungs to move blood and oxygen throughout your body more efficiently. If you don't care about your body spreading blood and oxygen efficiently, remember this: cardio activities also burn body fat.
Which means you can further reduce your guilt from treating yourself to unhealthy foods every now and then by performing at least 30 minutes of cardio five days a week!
Fun/Easy Cardio Activities:
- Walking
This might be the most fun cardio exercise on the list because it is EASY!!! Especially for students who have the option of walking to class! (Gasp.) That's right. Resist the temptation to drive thirty seconds down the street and walk to class to be healthier.
- Running
This is admittedly less fun and less easy than walking, at least for me. If you can do it, more power to you. If you can't, try running just a little bit every day and gradually you will be able to run faster and longer. It's working for me anyway! :)
- Aerobic Dance
Disguising a workout in a dance party can be extremely effective, especially if you happen to be "working out" with your friends. Make a few of your friends join you for a Zumba workout or a similar music-based dance workout and you'll be hooked!
- Swimming
Even though this cardio activity is for the most part seasonal (if you have access to an indoor pool, take advantage of it), swimming is a fun way to work out your entire body. Swimming is also much easier on your joints if walking or running causes you joint pain.
- Sports
Even if you are not blessed with natural grace and athleticism like I am (ha.), partaking in fun sports games like intramurals will allow you the cardio exercise you need while having a good time.
As you can see, getting your daily dose of cardio can be easier than you think, even if you have a hectic college-paced schedule. There are many ways to get the cardio exercise you need, but be sure to try these fun and, most importantly, EASY ways to get your cardio on the go. (There I go being cute and catchy again. It's working!)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Bananas
Okay. It was fun (and easy) for awhile to name my posts by the date that I posted them on. But now that I am no longer posting every day (don't worry--the posts will be more like every other day or a few times a week), I need to push myself to come up with more creative and informative titles! Since today is my first day to do this, please do not judge my less-than-creative title, "Bananas."
But bananas really are awesome. Especially for breakfast. When surrounded by syrupy waffles, sausage, bacon, cereal, and doughnuts in the caf, it can be hard to eat a healthy breakfast or even notice a humble banana. However, you should resist the urge to eat a non-nutritious breakfast--since breakfast is the first meal of the day, it is the most important!
Benefits of Bananas:
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
No explanation needed. Vitamins and minerals are good for you. Duh!
- Contain a lot of potassium
Where to begin? Potassium does A LOT, from alleviating blood pressure to relieving menstrual cramps and minimizing the risk of kidney stones.
- Contain tryptophan, serotonin and norepinephrine
These help alleviate depression and help you to relax. Too much to study? Feeling overwhelmed? Eat a banana. :)
- Contain B vitamins
These help calm and soothe your nervous system, which can be helpful for every overworked and overstressed college student.
- Taste sweet
Because this fruit tastes sweet naturally, it will curb your cravings for unhealthy sugary snacks!
Bananas make for a wonderful breakfast for so many reasons. Not only are they nutritious, they are easy. Convenient. Uncomplicated! Which is what any college student on the go (a.k.a. late for class) needs early in the morning to start his or her day.
I will leave you with the words of Gwen Stefani and Rachel Zoe. Not choosing a banana for breakfast (or for any other meal of the day), is simply b-a-n-a-n-a-s.
But bananas really are awesome. Especially for breakfast. When surrounded by syrupy waffles, sausage, bacon, cereal, and doughnuts in the caf, it can be hard to eat a healthy breakfast or even notice a humble banana. However, you should resist the urge to eat a non-nutritious breakfast--since breakfast is the first meal of the day, it is the most important!
Benefits of Bananas:
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
No explanation needed. Vitamins and minerals are good for you. Duh!
- Contain a lot of potassium
Where to begin? Potassium does A LOT, from alleviating blood pressure to relieving menstrual cramps and minimizing the risk of kidney stones.
- Contain tryptophan, serotonin and norepinephrine
These help alleviate depression and help you to relax. Too much to study? Feeling overwhelmed? Eat a banana. :)
- Contain B vitamins
These help calm and soothe your nervous system, which can be helpful for every overworked and overstressed college student.
- Taste sweet
Because this fruit tastes sweet naturally, it will curb your cravings for unhealthy sugary snacks!
Bananas make for a wonderful breakfast for so many reasons. Not only are they nutritious, they are easy. Convenient. Uncomplicated! Which is what any college student on the go (a.k.a. late for class) needs early in the morning to start his or her day.
I will leave you with the words of Gwen Stefani and Rachel Zoe. Not choosing a banana for breakfast (or for any other meal of the day), is simply b-a-n-a-n-a-s.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday, February 11th
If you are looking for a quick full body workout for the weekend, look no further:
If not, disregard this post. :)
If not, disregard this post. :)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 10th
I've spent so much time talking about the benefits of being healthy, but I have forgotten to mention of one of the best side-effects: looking trim and fit and finding your healthiest weight!
Even so, an easy trap you can fall into is thinking that if you eat healthy you can eat as much as you want. Unfortunately, this is not the case!
If you are looking to lose weight or even to maintain the weight you are at now, a great website you can visit is http://www.livestrong.com/. This free website will let you see how many calories you consume with each meal and how many calories you should be consuming (depending on your size and if you want to lose, gain, or maintain weight).
For even more convenience, Livestrong.com has an app for the iphone, but it will cost you 2-3 extra bucks. For those on a budget, I've found that the website works just fine. Enjoy! :)
Even so, an easy trap you can fall into is thinking that if you eat healthy you can eat as much as you want. Unfortunately, this is not the case!
If you are looking to lose weight or even to maintain the weight you are at now, a great website you can visit is http://www.livestrong.com/. This free website will let you see how many calories you consume with each meal and how many calories you should be consuming (depending on your size and if you want to lose, gain, or maintain weight).
For even more convenience, Livestrong.com has an app for the iphone, but it will cost you 2-3 extra bucks. For those on a budget, I've found that the website works just fine. Enjoy! :)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday, February 9th
When it snows, students in all different levels of school (kindergarten...junior high...college...) rejoice. Mainly because of the chance that SCHOOL WILL BE CANCELED!!! (knock on wood!)
However, with excitement and joy the cold weather also brings with it sickness. That's why in the winter it's more important than ever to keep your immune system healthy and strong! Here's how you can do just that to ward off sickness:
1. Load up on Vitamin D
Vitamin D kills bacteria, viruses and fungi in your body. The best way to get your daily dosage is through exposure to sunlight, but because sunshine is limited in the winter you can take a vitamin supplement to make sure you get enough Vitamin D.
2. Avoid sugar
If you feel yourself coming down with a cold or flu, avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners or processed foods AT ALL COSTS!!! Sugar damages your immune system, which needs to be strong to fight infections.
3. Get plenty of high-quality sleep
Flashback to yesterday's post, anyone? Again, sleep is very important to keeping your immune system strong. And not just any sleep--sleep in complete darkness, with no distractions or light to disturb you, will keep you healthiest.
4. Exercise regularly
Exercise triggers a rise in immune system cells that can attack any potential invaders. Each time you exercise you can benefit from this boost to your immune system!
5. Address your emotional stress
Believe it or not, emotional stress can predispose you to infections! Finding ways to manage daily stress will contribute to a strong and resilient immune system.
Keeping your immune system strong and healthy will allow you to enjoy the cold weather and any potential snow days instead of staying in feeling gross and getting behind in school! Enjoy the snow! :)
However, with excitement and joy the cold weather also brings with it sickness. That's why in the winter it's more important than ever to keep your immune system healthy and strong! Here's how you can do just that to ward off sickness:
1. Load up on Vitamin D
Vitamin D kills bacteria, viruses and fungi in your body. The best way to get your daily dosage is through exposure to sunlight, but because sunshine is limited in the winter you can take a vitamin supplement to make sure you get enough Vitamin D.
2. Avoid sugar
If you feel yourself coming down with a cold or flu, avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners or processed foods AT ALL COSTS!!! Sugar damages your immune system, which needs to be strong to fight infections.
3. Get plenty of high-quality sleep
Flashback to yesterday's post, anyone? Again, sleep is very important to keeping your immune system strong. And not just any sleep--sleep in complete darkness, with no distractions or light to disturb you, will keep you healthiest.
4. Exercise regularly
Exercise triggers a rise in immune system cells that can attack any potential invaders. Each time you exercise you can benefit from this boost to your immune system!
5. Address your emotional stress
Believe it or not, emotional stress can predispose you to infections! Finding ways to manage daily stress will contribute to a strong and resilient immune system.
Keeping your immune system strong and healthy will allow you to enjoy the cold weather and any potential snow days instead of staying in feeling gross and getting behind in school! Enjoy the snow! :)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Tuesday, February 8th
For the first three years of my college career, I did not understand the importance of sleep. I'm ashamed to admit that I pulled all-nighters on the worst nights and slept way too much or too little on the best nights.
This year, my FINAL year of taking important tests and determining how I will be judged when doing post-graduate things, like, applying for jobs (and who cares about that...), I have finally been able to learn more about sleep and how it important it is to living a healthy life.
According to my fave Dr. Mercola, the optimum amount of sleep for adults in six to eight hours. However, taking naps in the middle of the day to "catch up on sleep" won't cut it. Our bodies recharge the best during the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., so it's important to go to sleep as early as possible.
You might be thinking that you'd rather go to a party and live it up while you're young or stay up late studying to make a good grade on a test (this is college, after all). But sleep deprivation can cause all kinds of negative effects on your health, such as:
- Weaking your immune system
Gross. Living in dorms means that if ONE person on your hall gets sick, EVERYONE on your hall gets sick. Sleeping the appropriate amount of hours at the right time can reduce your chances of catching what everyone else has.
- Messing up your diet, causing you to feel hungry when you actually aren't
As college students we don't need any more opportunities to gain weight. Enough said.
- Impairing your memory
Yikes. Staying up late to study as much as possible for a test or, God forbid, pulling an all-nighter to study (or party--even worse) will actually impact your ability to think clearly the next day!!
So start planning your days around going to sleep early and sleeping for 6-8 hours. It will definitely be worth it!
This year, my FINAL year of taking important tests and determining how I will be judged when doing post-graduate things, like, applying for jobs (and who cares about that...), I have finally been able to learn more about sleep and how it important it is to living a healthy life.
According to my fave Dr. Mercola, the optimum amount of sleep for adults in six to eight hours. However, taking naps in the middle of the day to "catch up on sleep" won't cut it. Our bodies recharge the best during the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., so it's important to go to sleep as early as possible.
You might be thinking that you'd rather go to a party and live it up while you're young or stay up late studying to make a good grade on a test (this is college, after all). But sleep deprivation can cause all kinds of negative effects on your health, such as:
- Weaking your immune system
Gross. Living in dorms means that if ONE person on your hall gets sick, EVERYONE on your hall gets sick. Sleeping the appropriate amount of hours at the right time can reduce your chances of catching what everyone else has.
- Messing up your diet, causing you to feel hungry when you actually aren't
As college students we don't need any more opportunities to gain weight. Enough said.
- Impairing your memory
Yikes. Staying up late to study as much as possible for a test or, God forbid, pulling an all-nighter to study (or party--even worse) will actually impact your ability to think clearly the next day!!
So start planning your days around going to sleep early and sleeping for 6-8 hours. It will definitely be worth it!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, February 7th
Because we have to (or get to?) balance multiple hours of class and studying with being social and sometimes even working, college kids often turn to energy drinks or caffeinated drinks like coffee to make it through the day.
However, these "energy" drinks are usually full of sugar and give you only a quick rush of energy before draining you. Coffee isn't much better, but that's another story for another day.
What will give you the energy you need to make the A is apple cider vinegar.
Sound gross? Keep reading. Apple cider vinegar has been used since 400 B.C. for its amazing health benefits.
Bragg's website for its ACV (http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html) lists the following benefits of apple cider vinegar (along with many more):
Internal benefits:
- Strengthens your immune system
- Helps control weight
- Helps remove toxins from the body
External benefits:
- Maintains healthy skin
- Promotes youthful, healthy bodies
- Removes muscle pain from exercise
You might be wondering why, if this is such an amazing drink, you have never heard of it. Read below.
Warning: This stuff might taste gross at first. Keep in mind that its many benefits make it 300% worth drinking!!!
If you are concerned about the taste, don't worry. Mixing apple cider vinegar with other healthy (and tasty) ingredients makes it much easier to tolerate. For example, my-mother-the-health-guru invented this concoction of ACV to make it taste fruity and delicious:
"Happiness Is" Cocktail:
In a 16 oz jar add:
- 1 oz ACV
- 3 squirts Acai Berry Extract
- 10 drops of Green Tea Peach Extract
- Stevia to Taste
- Dash of ginger
- Dash of Cinnamon
- 1 T honey (optional)
You might enjoy this mixture of ACV and other ingredients, or you might prefer drinking it straight. Either way, you will LOVE the health benefits your body experiences from apple cider vinegar!
However, these "energy" drinks are usually full of sugar and give you only a quick rush of energy before draining you. Coffee isn't much better, but that's another story for another day.
What will give you the energy you need to make the A is apple cider vinegar.
Sound gross? Keep reading. Apple cider vinegar has been used since 400 B.C. for its amazing health benefits.
Bragg's website for its ACV (http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html) lists the following benefits of apple cider vinegar (along with many more):
Internal benefits:
- Strengthens your immune system
- Helps control weight
- Helps remove toxins from the body
External benefits:
- Maintains healthy skin
- Promotes youthful, healthy bodies
- Removes muscle pain from exercise
You might be wondering why, if this is such an amazing drink, you have never heard of it. Read below.
Warning: This stuff might taste gross at first. Keep in mind that its many benefits make it 300% worth drinking!!!
If you are concerned about the taste, don't worry. Mixing apple cider vinegar with other healthy (and tasty) ingredients makes it much easier to tolerate. For example, my-mother-the-health-guru invented this concoction of ACV to make it taste fruity and delicious:
"Happiness Is" Cocktail:
In a 16 oz jar add:
- 1 oz ACV
- 3 squirts Acai Berry Extract
- 10 drops of Green Tea Peach Extract
- Stevia to Taste
- Dash of ginger
- Dash of Cinnamon
- 1 T honey (optional)
You might enjoy this mixture of ACV and other ingredients, or you might prefer drinking it straight. Either way, you will LOVE the health benefits your body experiences from apple cider vinegar!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday, February 6th
As college kids, we have plenty on our to-do lists. Adding "be healthy" to those lists can be daunting, so here is something easier to do--start a "do not do" list.
This can be a fun little way to trick your mind. Think of it like this: you can do anything you want! All you have to do is NOT eat certain things, like this list of foods to avoid from Dr. Mercola:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/10/18/worst-foods.aspx
His five worst foods that you should avoid are:
1. Doughnuts
2. Soda
3. French Fries
4. Chips
5. Fried Non-Fish Seafoods
Looking over this list, you might be disappointed to see that some of your favorite foods have made this list. However, there are multiple ways to eat around this list. Whenever you are craving something fried or sweet, for instance, try eating a healthier dessert. Fruit is an ideal dessert, but if you really need something chocolate (like I do constantly), making a dessert yourself will limit the amount of sugar and artificial additives you are consuming. Or, if you are looking for a healthy ice-cream, try something from Ben & Jerry's. This ice cream might be high in calories but it is one of the few brands that does not use milk with the bovine growth horomone!
Again, as college students, avoiding doughnuts, soda, french fries, and chips can be especially difficult. I am still working on cutting these completely out of my diet, but here is a tip: don't try giving all of these up at once. Start with one item--like soda--and concentrate on weening yourself off of it entirely. Then you can move down the list until your diet is free from these disaster foods. Good luck!
This can be a fun little way to trick your mind. Think of it like this: you can do anything you want! All you have to do is NOT eat certain things, like this list of foods to avoid from Dr. Mercola:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/10/18/worst-foods.aspx
His five worst foods that you should avoid are:
1. Doughnuts
2. Soda
3. French Fries
4. Chips
5. Fried Non-Fish Seafoods
Looking over this list, you might be disappointed to see that some of your favorite foods have made this list. However, there are multiple ways to eat around this list. Whenever you are craving something fried or sweet, for instance, try eating a healthier dessert. Fruit is an ideal dessert, but if you really need something chocolate (like I do constantly), making a dessert yourself will limit the amount of sugar and artificial additives you are consuming. Or, if you are looking for a healthy ice-cream, try something from Ben & Jerry's. This ice cream might be high in calories but it is one of the few brands that does not use milk with the bovine growth horomone!
Again, as college students, avoiding doughnuts, soda, french fries, and chips can be especially difficult. I am still working on cutting these completely out of my diet, but here is a tip: don't try giving all of these up at once. Start with one item--like soda--and concentrate on weening yourself off of it entirely. Then you can move down the list until your diet is free from these disaster foods. Good luck!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Saturday, February 5th
Since yesterday I treated myself to a little unhealthy food, today I want to talk about the importance of exercise.
As busy college students, we often don't have time to drag our butts to the gym. Luckily for us, there are other (much easier) ways we can get excercise in without spending an hour a day embarrassing ourselves in the HAC.
The easiest and most obvious way to get the excercise we need is to walk. Every day. I know how tempting it is to get in a warm car and drive down the road to get to class during these cold winter days, but simply walking to and from class is a great way to exercise if you have a busy schedule!
It's also important to be active after eating. I don't mean you have to immediately run a mile, but walking around campus on your way to class after lunch, or even STANDING, is much better than sitting down right after you eat!
That's it for now. Blogging is much harder to do on the weekend, so hopefully these will be longer/more interesting starting Monday. :) Goodnight!
As busy college students, we often don't have time to drag our butts to the gym. Luckily for us, there are other (much easier) ways we can get excercise in without spending an hour a day embarrassing ourselves in the HAC.
The easiest and most obvious way to get the excercise we need is to walk. Every day. I know how tempting it is to get in a warm car and drive down the road to get to class during these cold winter days, but simply walking to and from class is a great way to exercise if you have a busy schedule!
It's also important to be active after eating. I don't mean you have to immediately run a mile, but walking around campus on your way to class after lunch, or even STANDING, is much better than sitting down right after you eat!
That's it for now. Blogging is much harder to do on the weekend, so hopefully these will be longer/more interesting starting Monday. :) Goodnight!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, February 4th
Today I have a very important health message for college kids everywhere:
It's okay to indulge every now and then.
It's admirable of anybody, especially college kids, to try to improve their health, but it's also completely ridiculous to think that college kids can live on a strict health diet 24/7.
Take today for instance. It's cold. It's icing. School's canceled. Since I've been eating relatively healthy for the past few days, I felt no guilt in joining my friends for a little trip to what we call "the salad store." A.K.A. OEC (Oriental Express...Chinese? with Chicken? for Cheap?).
Needless to say, it was probably not the healthiest meal I've eaten all week (DEFINITELY the worst, actually), but balanced with regular workouts and a normally healthy diet, it's okay to eat every now and then. It's okay to be healthy AND a normal college student! :)
It's okay to indulge every now and then.
It's admirable of anybody, especially college kids, to try to improve their health, but it's also completely ridiculous to think that college kids can live on a strict health diet 24/7.
Take today for instance. It's cold. It's icing. School's canceled. Since I've been eating relatively healthy for the past few days, I felt no guilt in joining my friends for a little trip to what we call "the salad store." A.K.A. OEC (Oriental Express...Chinese? with Chicken? for Cheap?).
Needless to say, it was probably not the healthiest meal I've eaten all week (DEFINITELY the worst, actually), but balanced with regular workouts and a normally healthy diet, it's okay to eat every now and then. It's okay to be healthy AND a normal college student! :)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday, February 3rd
I think I'm going to stop posting what I eat for each meal because it's boring. And suspiciously similar each day...
Instead, I need to focus on what I have promised you--EASY and ACHIEVABLE health tips. And I realize that most people reading this don't really have the resources (kitchen...time...) to make healthy chili. So I'll stick to things that you can actually do--things that are quick, easy, and cheap--to improve your health.
Tonight I want to focus on coconut oil. I was suspicious when I first heard about this multi-purpose wonder-oil. I read from numerous sources that it can be used as a body lotion, a face lotion, a hair conditioner, a cooking oil, etc. I even read that some people drink this!! I don't drink the oil straight (I would definitely have a problem with its texture and/or consistency), but I have been lathering it all over my body and face at least once a day. Here are the benefits that I have not only read about, but noticed...
1. It is cheap. Cheaper than other lotions anyway! This is the number one benefit I have listed because it is a main concern for most college students. Why buy expensive fragranted and chemical induced lotions when you can buy coconut oil to be used in cooking AND as a lotion/conditioner?!
2. IT IS AN AMAZING MOISTERIZER. Like most college students, I have experienced far from perfect skin, and coconut oil has completely rejuvenated the skin on my face and body.
3. You can replace butter with this in cooking! I know, I know, I said I was going to lay off the cooking talk, but I can't ignore this. It is a healthier alternative to butter, olive oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil. Just in case any of you future chefs care to know.
Coconut oil used to be thought of as unhealthy, but this has been a huge mistake. Research has proved that coconut oil has numerous health benefits, and studies show that cultures that have used coconut oil in cooking and hygiene are among the healthiest people alive.
Again, this is something EASY you can do to improve your health. Try it out and you will not regret it!
Instead, I need to focus on what I have promised you--EASY and ACHIEVABLE health tips. And I realize that most people reading this don't really have the resources (kitchen...time...) to make healthy chili. So I'll stick to things that you can actually do--things that are quick, easy, and cheap--to improve your health.
Tonight I want to focus on coconut oil. I was suspicious when I first heard about this multi-purpose wonder-oil. I read from numerous sources that it can be used as a body lotion, a face lotion, a hair conditioner, a cooking oil, etc. I even read that some people drink this!! I don't drink the oil straight (I would definitely have a problem with its texture and/or consistency), but I have been lathering it all over my body and face at least once a day. Here are the benefits that I have not only read about, but noticed...
1. It is cheap. Cheaper than other lotions anyway! This is the number one benefit I have listed because it is a main concern for most college students. Why buy expensive fragranted and chemical induced lotions when you can buy coconut oil to be used in cooking AND as a lotion/conditioner?!
2. IT IS AN AMAZING MOISTERIZER. Like most college students, I have experienced far from perfect skin, and coconut oil has completely rejuvenated the skin on my face and body.
3. You can replace butter with this in cooking! I know, I know, I said I was going to lay off the cooking talk, but I can't ignore this. It is a healthier alternative to butter, olive oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil. Just in case any of you future chefs care to know.
Coconut oil used to be thought of as unhealthy, but this has been a huge mistake. Research has proved that coconut oil has numerous health benefits, and studies show that cultures that have used coconut oil in cooking and hygiene are among the healthiest people alive.
Again, this is something EASY you can do to improve your health. Try it out and you will not regret it!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday, February 2nd
Breakfast: Apple, Green Tea
Lunch: White Chickenless Chili, Yogurt with Blueberries, Almonds
Dinner: Veggie Chili!
Today was a hard day to be a vegetarian. By dinnertime I wanted nothing more than to go to McDonalds and order McNuggets. But instead, I made more chili. This time, it was the kind of chili that normally includes beef. I had never attempted to make this kind of chili minus the meat, but I am happy to report that it was simply delish. Or I was just really hungry.
I'm not sure if I have explained my interest in becoming a vegetarian. My mother is very interested in health, and not long ago she let me listen to a podcast by some health guru known as The Health Ranger. Don't laugh--he was actually legit. His podcast was the first honest discussion of meat that I had ever listened to, and his words have stuck with me. His main concern was processed meats and how they are linked to cancer. Read below from mercola.com about the dangers of processed meat! Maybe you'll consider becoming a veg-o also!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/01/22/if-you-eat-processed-meats-youre-risking-your-life.aspx
It just occured to me that I am not including any kind of liquid in the diet I list above, but let me go ahead and say this: DRINK WATER. ONLY. THE EASIEST THING YOU CAN DO TO BE HEALTHY IS TO DRINK WATER!!! I know not every college student has the time and/or resources to make homemade meatless chili's like me, so if you are looking for a small change to make in your diet to become MUCH healthier, this is it. It will not get any easier than drinking water!
...Or, if you don't want to drink water, AT LEAST avoid diet drinks. Diet sodas contain an artificial sweetner called aspartame, and it will give you brain tumors. Well, it could. Is it worth the risk? I'll let you decide.
Lunch: White Chickenless Chili, Yogurt with Blueberries, Almonds
Dinner: Veggie Chili!
Today was a hard day to be a vegetarian. By dinnertime I wanted nothing more than to go to McDonalds and order McNuggets. But instead, I made more chili. This time, it was the kind of chili that normally includes beef. I had never attempted to make this kind of chili minus the meat, but I am happy to report that it was simply delish. Or I was just really hungry.
I'm not sure if I have explained my interest in becoming a vegetarian. My mother is very interested in health, and not long ago she let me listen to a podcast by some health guru known as The Health Ranger. Don't laugh--he was actually legit. His podcast was the first honest discussion of meat that I had ever listened to, and his words have stuck with me. His main concern was processed meats and how they are linked to cancer. Read below from mercola.com about the dangers of processed meat! Maybe you'll consider becoming a veg-o also!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/01/22/if-you-eat-processed-meats-youre-risking-your-life.aspx
It just occured to me that I am not including any kind of liquid in the diet I list above, but let me go ahead and say this: DRINK WATER. ONLY. THE EASIEST THING YOU CAN DO TO BE HEALTHY IS TO DRINK WATER!!! I know not every college student has the time and/or resources to make homemade meatless chili's like me, so if you are looking for a small change to make in your diet to become MUCH healthier, this is it. It will not get any easier than drinking water!
...Or, if you don't want to drink water, AT LEAST avoid diet drinks. Diet sodas contain an artificial sweetner called aspartame, and it will give you brain tumors. Well, it could. Is it worth the risk? I'll let you decide.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tuesday, February 1st
Breakfast: Almonds, Banana, Green Tea
According to my mother (a.k.a. the health guru), almonds are WONDERnuts. I did a little more research on almonds and found out how right she is. Even if you don't eat these for breakfast, almonds make a wonderful snack to munch on throughout the day. As for the rest of my breakfast, I've found that you seriously cannot go wrong with fruit or green tea, which has been proven to lower your risk of cancer!
Lunch: Vegetable soup, Yogurt with Blueberries, Vitamin Supplements
This is altogether a strong, healthy lunch. What I call vegetable soup actually was my homemade white chicken chili soup. However, since I am experimenting with a vegetarian diet, I left out the chicken to make a white chili vegetable soup! See below for the recipe:
Bonnie's White Chicken (optional) Chili:
8 oz. chicken breast (optional)
3 15 oz. cans of white beans
2 T better than bouillon
1/4 c. chopped onions
1/3 c. green pepper
1/4 c. jalapeno pepper
1 28 oz. can of tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon tumeric
Even though this soup is delicious and healthy, an easier (and more convenient for kitchenless college students) healthy lunch option is yogurt. I've read a ton about yogurt, but a quick and easy summary of its benefits can be found at the link below from Women's Health magazine:
http://eatthis.womenshealthmag.com/content/8-foods-you-should-eat-every-day?article=2&page=1
Dinner: Salad, Egg, Green Tea
I am a firm believer in you can't have too much green tea. It tastes good and is good for you! Along with my tea I enjoyed a scrambled egg (with green bell pepper and onion) and a dressing-free salad. Yum.
According to my mother (a.k.a. the health guru), almonds are WONDERnuts. I did a little more research on almonds and found out how right she is. Even if you don't eat these for breakfast, almonds make a wonderful snack to munch on throughout the day. As for the rest of my breakfast, I've found that you seriously cannot go wrong with fruit or green tea, which has been proven to lower your risk of cancer!
Lunch: Vegetable soup, Yogurt with Blueberries, Vitamin Supplements
This is altogether a strong, healthy lunch. What I call vegetable soup actually was my homemade white chicken chili soup. However, since I am experimenting with a vegetarian diet, I left out the chicken to make a white chili vegetable soup! See below for the recipe:
Bonnie's White Chicken (optional) Chili:
8 oz. chicken breast (optional)
3 15 oz. cans of white beans
2 T better than bouillon
1/4 c. chopped onions
1/3 c. green pepper
1/4 c. jalapeno pepper
1 28 oz. can of tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon tumeric
Even though this soup is delicious and healthy, an easier (and more convenient for kitchenless college students) healthy lunch option is yogurt. I've read a ton about yogurt, but a quick and easy summary of its benefits can be found at the link below from Women's Health magazine:
http://eatthis.womenshealthmag.com/content/8-foods-you-should-eat-every-day?article=2&page=1
Dinner: Salad, Egg, Green Tea
I am a firm believer in you can't have too much green tea. It tastes good and is good for you! Along with my tea I enjoyed a scrambled egg (with green bell pepper and onion) and a dressing-free salad. Yum.
Introduction
Hello future followers (assuming I have followers in the future):
Welcome to my health blog, specifically designed to chronicle one college girl's journey to health. I'm still figuring all of this health stuff out, but I will do my best not to mislead anyone about health! I'm starting this blog on February 1st (I should have started it on January 1st, that would have been cooler) and will continue it until AT LEAST February 18th. I hope this blog provides you with some helpful health tips!
Keep in mind: being healthy while in college may be hard, but it is not impossible!
Welcome to my health blog, specifically designed to chronicle one college girl's journey to health. I'm still figuring all of this health stuff out, but I will do my best not to mislead anyone about health! I'm starting this blog on February 1st (I should have started it on January 1st, that would have been cooler) and will continue it until AT LEAST February 18th. I hope this blog provides you with some helpful health tips!
Keep in mind: being healthy while in college may be hard, but it is not impossible!
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