Feeling down? Maybe you’re nervous or angry about something. What you eat may have an impact on your mood and help you get happy. To release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with the pleasure centers of the brain, try eating bananas or leafy greens or drink a glass of milk. Make…
Develop coping mechanisms for cravings. When your stomach starts churning for a Snickers bar, do you have a plan? Or do you simply cave in and suffer from a heavy dose of remorse for the remainder of the day? Devise a list of activities that will provide a distraction from…
Have you had your flavonoids today? Be honest, have you even heard of flavonoids? Most people don’t know the first thing about these substances known for their antioxidant properties. Flavonoids, or Vitamin P and citrin, are plant metabolites. There are upwards of 6,000 different substances found in plants. Flavonoids change…
Chewing your food is the first step in the all-important digestion process. In order to digest food properly, your food must be broken down into a liquid form before it’s swallowed. When you don’t get the job done, large food particles that haven’t been digested make an appearance in the…
You may not think 100 calories makes much of a difference, but if you’re dieting and trying to cut a few hundred a day from your meal plan, then 100 calories can add up. A few simple, painless solutions can help you make changes. First, take a look at breakfast….
If you embarked on a weight-loss journey at the beginning of the year, then your resolve might be weakening at the two-week mark. Help yourself by keeping your goals in mind, regardless of where you are. Use 5 by 7 note cards with daily reminders. Once you devise a list…
Variety is important to weight training because muscles are forced to adapt to changes. Simple tweaks are all it takes to keep your muscles guessing. There are many easy ways to mix things up in the weight room. One way is to add more weight and decrease the number of…
For Mexicans Cinco de Mayo is a celebration for their victory over France, but for Americans it’s another excuse to eat, drink and be merry. Of course, those rich Mexican dishes and high-calorie cocktails are an easy way to derail your diet. Among the worst offenders are the fried tortilla…
There are just some times of the month when, regardless of how much of a gym rat you normally are, you can’t seem to get moving. Or it just plain hurts to engage in the exercise you usually do. If periods cramp your fitness style, then there are some ways…
Resting on your laurels – aka your butt – can kill you, experts say. Sitting for long periods of time, even if you exercise regularly, can harm your health. Whether it’s at the office, in the car, in front of the TV, on the phone, reading or at school, the…