Crystal Petrello, Author at Be Well Solutions

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer, making it the second most common cancer in women (skin cancer is the most common.) In addition, breast cancer is responsible for approximately 1 in 35 deaths among women, which makes it the second leading cause of cancer death in females (lung cancer being the first.) While men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer, it is far less common in males than females. Breast Cancer Risk Factors There are many risk factors related to breast cancer. Some of the risk factors cannot be changed, and others are under your control. Regardless of your ability to control a risk factor, it is good to be aware of your risks because they affect your chances of developing these diseases. Also, it is important to remember [...]

Tags: breast cancer, Cancer, cancer prevention, cancer risk factors, corporate wellness, mammogram, think pink|

Exercise for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among US women. According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 1 in 8 chance for a woman in the United States to develop breast cancer. However, there are currently more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US. Exercise is known to have many benefits, including a lower risk for certain cancers. It can also be beneficial for cancer patients and survivors to incorporate regularly. Benefits of Exercise The most recent exercise recommendations for cancer patients and survivors were put together by a panel of experts from organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute. The experts saw that exercise can improve survival rates after diagnosis. They also noted that many quality of life factors during and after treatment [...]

Tags: breast cancer, Cancer, cancer and exercise, corporate wellness|

Cancer Prevention

No matter how healthy we live, cancer can touch our lives. Two out of five Americans will receive a diagnosis of cancer at some point in their lives. One of the best ways to improve our survival chances is to discover cancer as early as possible. We do this with preventive screening exams. What is a preventive screening exam? A preventive screening exam looks for a disease, or risk factors for a disease in a person who has no symptoms or history of disease. Preventive screenings allows doctors to diagnose disease early before symptoms appear, which can increase the likelihood that an effective treatment is available to cure the individual. What are the goals of a preventive screening exam? A screening exam should be easy to administer and interpret, while maximizing true results. Also, if a test is positive, the [...]

Tags: annual physical, breast cancer, Cancer, cancer prevention, cancer screening, corporate wellness, health and wellness, health prevention, healthscreening|

Easy Weeknight Meals

Make Time for Dinner Back to school brings the return of homework, weeknight sports practices, and very little time for much else. Although preparing dinner may feel like a chore, there are various strategies for making dinner both healthy and easy during a busy school week. If preparing a healthy meal comes at the expense of spending quality time with family, household chores, or squeezing in time to exercise, then these easy weeknight meal tips may be for you. Tip #1: Plan Creating a plan for weeknight dinners will prevent the dread from setting in when hearing “what are we having for dinner tonight?” Taking a small amount of time during the weekend to plan out each dinner will make sure you are ready for the week. Planning out meals also helps pull together your grocery list effortlessly. Fun meal [...]

Tags: back to school, corporate wellness program, dinner, family, nutrition, one pot dinner, quick recipe, receipe, wellness|

Snacking On-The-Go

Snacking is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Controlling hunger, by eating reasonably throughout the day, allows us to protect ourselves from losing steam. Going too long between meals results in a dip in your blood sugar (glucose) which can often leave you feeling sluggish. Snacking strategically will provide your body with the energy it needs, increase your attention-span and even improve your mood! By incorporating healthy snacks into your day, you may find that you have more energy to exercise and do the things you enjoy most. What is a healthy snack? Snacks should be thought of as “mini-meals” consisting of nutrient-rich foods around 100-250 calories. A nutritious snack usually includes a carbohydrate, a protein and a fat component: Carbohydrates are your body’s main fuel source. When snacking, carbs provide your body with a quick source of [...]

Tags: balanced meal, clean eating, corporate wellness, heahlthy snacking, nutrition, snack|

Healthy Home Cafe

Enjoying coffee in your pajamas while you sit in the silence of your home. The coffee is decadent, and you ponder how you got such a great cup of coffee without leaving the house. You remember what you added to the large pour of coffee, and it dawns on you the number of calories! It is delicious because of the amount of sugar, cream and flavors that are masking the actual coffee flavor. Coffee can be a low-calorie healthy, yes healthy, beverage. The caffeine in coffee and tea can be beneficial to our health. Find out what makes coffee and tea a healthy option. Then elevate the health-effects of your hot beverage bar with these tips. Coffee We know that coffee increases alertness, but is it good for you? Or at the very least, is it harmless? Coffee does have [...]

Tags: back to school, clean eating, coffee, corporate wellness, home cafe, nutrition, tea, work from home|

One-Pot Cooking

After working all day, finding something to make for dinner can sometimes be a pain. Who wants to spend their evenings stuck in the kitchen prepping healthy ingredients? And after dinner comes the “best” part - cleaning up the dirty dishes! This scenario leads many to order local takeout or make their way to the fast food lane. Why Choose One-Pot Meals? Instead of grabbing a bite to eat out, make a healthy meal at home with just one pot! While eating out is convenient and saves time on clean-up, studies show that those who consume more meals at home consume fewer calories, less fat, sugar, and sodium compared to those who eat out. Your next healthy meal is just one dish away! Convenience And Healthy Combined One-pot meals are dishes that are easy to make and a breeze to [...]

Tags: back to school, busy, clean eating, cooking, corporate wellness, easy cooking, nutrition, one-pot cooking, recipe|

Fall Family Fitness

Is your autumn schedule changing as quickly as the leaves? Between back-to-school, sports schedules, and a never-ending to-do list, this time of year can get a little hectic. Motivation for regular exercise can fall to the bottom of our priority list in a hurry. However, continuing movement and activity during seasonal transition is necessary for maintaining a consistent habit. Include the whole family and keep your habit going all year long. Make a List Write down a list of activities that the entire family can participate in. Make sure your list consists of a variety of types, durations, and indoor/outdoor choices. Include quick options like jumping jacks during a commercial break and prolonged options like a day of hiking in a nearby park. When you get a few moments, refer to the list and pick something that fits into [...]

Tags: active family, autumn, corporate wellness, exercise, fall, family fitness, family fun, outdoor activities|

The Sunshine Vitamin – Vitamin D

When it comes to meeting recommendations for vitamin consumption, Americans are often looking for a quick fix pill as opposed to meeting requirements through their diet. Vitamin D is one of the few nutrients that is easier to get your daily dose through something other than food. In fact, the best way to get Vitamin D is through direct sun exposure. Our bodies produce Vitamin D when our skin is in direct contact with ultraviolet rays from the sun. Therefore, Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin. However, for the last decade, avoiding the sun has become all the rage. The threat of cancer, skin damage, wrinkles, and a host of other ailments has led Americans to reduce their sun exposure. Hats, long sleeve shirts, sunglasses, and lotion with an SPF of 45 have become the norm. [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy living, skin cancer, sun safety, sunburn, sunshine vitamin, vitamin D|

Grab and Go Breakfast

The most important meal of the day - breakfast! And now that kids are heading back to school, it is even more important to fuel their brains for the day. Studies show that kids and adults who eat breakfast are more alert, think clearer, and have improved moods. Eating breakfast decreases our risk for heart disease, improves digestion, and builds strong bones. What better way to set your family’s day for success than incorporating a nutritious breakfast? Don’t skip breakfast! Even though breakfast is the most important meal of the day, nearly half the population is still skipping a morning meal! Do you bypass breakfast to make your hectic mornings easier? Unfortunately, this tactic can backfire leading to unwanted weight gain and hunger throughout the day. Here are some fun and convenient ways to assure you and the kids [...]

Tags: back to school, breakfast, clean eating, corporate wellness, Corporate Wellness Firm, egg, nutrition, overnight oats|

About Crystal Petrello