Blog
5 Ways to Change the Stigma of Mental Health
Mental health is finally entering the conversation more with overall health and well-being. However, there is still a lingering stigma that follows those who are battling with a diagnosis. The feelings of shame or lack of validation when it comes to mental illness often make it less likely for individuals to seek the help and treatment they need. Whether we have loved ones dealing with mental health issues or are facing them ourselves, we [...]
Build Your Workout Using the FITT Principle
Putting together a balanced workout plan can feel daunting. Following the FITT principle is an effective way to make that task easier. FITT stands for the Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type of your workout. It helps you design a routine that incorporates a variety of necessary exercises while tailoring it to your personal needs and goals. Frequency Frequency addresses how often you will plan to exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at [...]
Debunking the “Dirty Dozen”
What is the “Dirty Dozen”? Dirty Dozen Foods 1.) Strawberries 7.) Bell & Hot Peppers 2.) Spinach 8.) Cherries 3.) Kale, Collard, Mustard greens 9.) Peaches 4.) Nectarines 10.) Pears 5.) Apples 11.) Celery 6.) Grapes 12.) Tomatoes The Dirty Dozen refers to the 12 crops that have the most pesticides used on them. It is a list created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit (lobby and education) organization. Note: The [...]
Grocery Shopping & Added Sugar
Let’s take a deeper dive into products and look at the added sugar content of some common items. Remember, men want to try to limit added sugar to 9 teaspoons (36g per day) and women to 6 teaspoons (24 grams each day). Dried fruit The serving size for dried fruit is ¼ cup. Craisins: 130 calories, 0g fat, 3g fiber & 26g added sugar (6.5 teaspoons of added sugar) Raisins: 120 calories, 0g fat, 2g [...]
Practicing Mindfulness
How often do we find our minds wandering into a frenzy? Maybe we’re dwelling over something that just happened, worrying about the future, or trying to multitask to get everything done. Our busy lives and schedules have made it extremely difficult to mentally and physically be present. Intentionally practicing mindfulness is a great way to pull our thoughts back into the present moment and focus on the here and now. Mindfulness can help manage the [...]
Added Sugar- How Much is Too Much?
You might be surprised to hear that most Americans (including teenagers and children) consume about 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day. Too much added sugar can lead to increased health risks including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Added sugar contains calories, but no additional nutrition. With the lack of vitamins and minerals it’s important to limit your intake of added sugar. Let’s take a closer to look to discover how you can [...]
The Mini Workout
The Answer to “I Don’t Have Time to Exercise” The fact that mini workouts can benefit our health is an obvious advantage. However, there are many other benefits to incorporating these short bursts of exercise into your day. Due to our busy and evolving schedules, it can be hard to commit to long exercise sessions. Mini workouts allow you to incorporate physical activity more easily into your day. While planning for a thirty-minute workout can [...]
Nutrition and Heart Health
Be Kind to Your Heart: Supporting Your Heart Through Nutrition Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The good news is that creating healthy habits can decrease your chance of developing heart disease. There are so many ways to be proactive in taking care of your heart health such as exercising, managing stress, reducing sodium intake, switching to healthy fats, and increasing your soluble fiber intake. Reminder: Don’t overwhelm [...]
Heart Healthy Grocery Shopping
Use the tips below to create a heart-healthy grocery shopping list. Produce Choose a variety of fresh fruits and veggies No sodium added or low sodium canned beans & veggies Plain frozen veggies and fruit No sugar added dried fruit (raisins) Grains Plain brown rice, quinoa, or whole-wheat pasta Lower added sugar cereal (Total, plain Cheerios, Wheaties, etc.) and oats Protein Meats with loin or round in the name like pork tenderloin Salmon and tuna [...]
Gratitude & Your Heart Health
Gratitude is a great way to change your perspective and create a more positive outlook on life. Did you know practicing gratitude is also a great way to boost your heart health? Research has found that being more thankful can help lower blood pressure and improve the function of our immune systems. It can also assist with promoting healthy behaviors like increased physical activity and having a more nutritious diet (American Heart Association). While [...]