May is Mental Health Month and what better way to recognize the annual educational campaign than by achieving that peaceful, easy feeling. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that have of all Americans are faced with some sort of mental disorder at some time in their lives. In fact, mental illnesses…
Want to kickstart your body’s calorie-burning furnace? There are a few surprising ways to do it. If you’re a walker, then get your arms involved. You can burn up to 15 percent more calories by bending elbows at a 90-degree angle and pumping your arms in concert with your walk….
‘Tis the season to be jolly. The holidays are in full swing, and that means you probably have plenty of gatherings, parties and dinners on your plate… as well as plenty of season’s eatings that are loaded with fat and calories. There are ways to stay on track and still…
There’s an old saying that beans are good for your heart…but that’s just the beginning. Research shows that beans are chock full of goodness. In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease, beans also beat certain types of cancer. This high-protein, low-fat staple is loaded with nutrients including calcium,…
Do you take advantage of what your community has to offer? If the answer is “no,” then it’s time to break out of your shell and see what your city has to offer. Most communities have a YMCA. For a fraction of the price of a sports club, you can…
We bet you didn’t know it was National Sleep Awareness Week. According to the National Sleep Foundation, this year’s focus is on “springing forward,” the process of losing that precious hour of sleep for Daylight Savings Time. The amount of rest you get is directly related to how you perform…
You’ve consumed your allotted calories for the day when a killer craving comes out of nowhere. You’re first instinct is to reach for the Ben and Jerry’s, but don’t give in just yet. We have a more polished approach to ward off those hunger pangs. Bypass the kitchen for the…
They taste great shelled, boiled or smashed up into peanut butter, but peanuts tend to get a bad health rap. In reality, nuts are a healthful and sensible snack in moderation. They contain about 15 percent of your daily protein needs, plus folate, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, and many…
Fitness fads come and go — remember the thighmaster? — but if you want a well-rounded workout, then embrace the fitness ball. It’s no secret that exercise balls are a great way to add variety to your workout and improve strength in your core and lower body. But working out…
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the same can certainly be said of the stomach. Cut out all of those tempting treats from your eating regimen and you’ll soon find yourself feeling deprived. Deprivation can be a recipe for diet disaster. Imagine how much you’ll long for that double…