There’s a reason MP3 players have taken over the gym. One of the best ways to pump up your adrenaline during a workout is to turn up the tunes. Studies have shown that listening to music can actually heighten the flow of your exercises. If you’re a runner, then the…
Make sure you’re getting enough calcium. Of all the minerals the body absorbs, you’re most likely to come up short in your supply of calcium. Unfortunately, this mineral is essential as far as strengthening bones, helping muscles contract and regulating contractions of the heart. Most surprisingly, calcium plays a role…
Japan has 30 percent fewer obese people than the United States – how do they do it? There are plenty of tricks and healthy eating habits that we can learn from the Japanese. The idea of tiny portions of lots of different foods is one that the Japanese adopt for…
Freshen up with parsley. You probably didn’t know it, but the benefits of fresh parsley go well beyond simply adding color to a plate. This herb is actually enriched with plenty of healing properties – and who can forget the fragrant flavor it adds to foods. The two most popular…
Even Miss Manners would acknowledge there’s such a thing as gym etiquette. You’ve either got it or you don’t. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the dos and don’ts of the gym, but here’s a recap in case you’ve overlooked anything. Always carry a towel. Most gyms require…
It’s hard not to love side dishes. Most of us take comfort in cheesy macaroni, creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice dishes. We’re talking about the beloved sidekicks that can derail just about any diet in spite of the best-intentioned main dish. Take traditional mac and cheese. A 12-ounce serving…
Don’t rush through the very best part of eating: tasting the flavors and enjoying the textures. It may sound simple, but chewing your food slowly and savoring every bite also helps you eat less. Many of us take just 10 minutes or less to wolf down a meal. It takes…
In honor of National Heart Health Month, why not stock your medicine cabinet with a physician favorite? Forget apples. Experts want you to pop an aspirin a day…and they say it could save your life. Aspirin therapy has made quite a name for itself over the years. According to the…
You can have too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to exercising. There are some inherent dangers of going overboard in your efforts. It’s important to give your body a break. If you work out every day without a recovery period, the muscles won’t grow. But the…
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…