Beat the Summer Heat with Healthy Frozen Food Treats
Move over Drumstick waffle cones and ice cream sandwiches, there are new frozen novelties in town, and they’re homemade! This summer, try your hand at frozen food snacks perfect for cooling down after Mother Nature has warmed you up. You’ll be making these creative treats all summer long!
Blueberry Yogurt Bites: Stick a toothpick into a fresh blueberry and then dip blueberry into your favorite flavor of yogurt. Place blueberry (without toothpick) on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with as many blueberries that you want to freeze. Place baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour. Place frozen...
DIY Sodas With a Healthier Twist
There’s something about the experience of drinking a soda that makes it so hard to quit. The refreshing first sip. The ice clinking in the glass. The fizz. It’s hard to deny that sodas provide “ahhhhhh” moments. The soda drinking experience is truly classic. And soda is the perfect accompaniment to a juicy burger or pizza. But what about people who are trying to cut back on their sugar intake, you ask? Our answer is DIY! Yes. You can make your own soda. Here are two super easy soda recipes that offer up fresh flavors. Serve with homemade pizza for...
Food Safety: Handling and Preparing Fresh Eggs
When handling and preparing fresh eggs and egg products it’s important to take special care in order to avoid food poisoning. Play it safe by following these egg safety guidelines.
When cooking baked, boiled, fried, or poached eggs, cook until both the white and the yolk are firm.
When cooking chiffon pies, use pasteurized dried egg whites, whipped cream, or a whipped topping instead of raw, beaten egg whites.
When cooking egg mixtures, such as a quiche, cook until the center of the dish reaches 160 degrees F when measured with a food thermometer.
When cooking pies that have meringue,...
Low-Carb Diet
If you like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs and you’re looking to lose weight, a low-carb diet might be a diet for you. Just as the name implies, a low-carb diet reduces carbs, which lowers insulin levels, which prompts the body to burn stored fat for energy, which leads to weight loss.
Foods that are reduced or excluded in a low-carb diet include breads, fruits, most grains, legumes, nuts, pastas, starchy vegetables, and sweets. Did you know that a low-carb diet may help prevent or improve cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure?
Of course before starting any diet you...
Tackle Belly Fat with These Tips
Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to get rid of belly fat? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Belly fat puzzles many people. Belly fat is so stubborn because it is high in alpha-2 receptors, which hinder lipolysis—the breakdown of fat stored in fat cells. The good news is there are things you can do to help minimize belly fat. Here are some of them:
Try to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night and stick to it. It has been shown that five hours or less of sleep every night can increase your levels of visceral...
Natural Remedies for a Sore Throat
When some people hear the term ‘natural remedies’ they think ‘grandma’s home remedies from yesteryear for this and that.’ While it’s true that home remedies have been passed down from one generation to the next, ‘home remedies’ are a trusted source of relief for many conditions, such as having a sore throat. If you’re interested in dabbling in a home remedy, you may want to try any of these remedies the next time you have a sore throat.
Add honey to hot tea or water. In one study, honey seemed to be as effective as dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant ingredient....
Dining Out? Choose These Healthier Options
Eating out can feel like such a luxury that you may be tempted to indulge in the best foods on the menu. And depending on where you’re eating, the indulgent foods choices you make could add up to a lot of calories. If you’re determined to choose healthier food options when you go out to eat, you may want to keep these tips in mind:
Eat a salad before the main meal and then eat only half of your entrée. You can save the leftovers for the next day’s lunch or dinner.
When ordering a salad, request that the dressing...
Fear of Aging
For many people, the thought of aging is so frightening they have a sense that death is right around the corner. While aging can create apprehension in life, aging is a normal process that should not be feared. Education and awareness can help minimize the fear associated with aging.
Here are four things to keep in mind regarding the aging process if you’re feeling fearful.
While hearing loss, vision loss, and physical capabilities decline as people age, there are many people who ARE capable of living alone once they have adjusted to new changes associated with aging.
Creativity does not...
Achilles Tendon Pain
The Achilles tendon attaches the gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus muscles (located on the back of the leg) to the calcaneus (heel) bone. This tendon is what makes it possible for us to push off when we walk or run and rise up on our tippy toes.
Problems associated with the Achilles tendon include Achilles tendinopathy and Achilles tendon ruptures.
The term Achilles tendinopathy references either tendinitis or tendinosis, which can be caused by repetitive movements that overuse the tendon, whether you’re working or working out. And the repetitive movements can cause microtears in the tendon. Symptoms may include intermittent pain,...
Fall-Proofing a Home
Have you ever worried about a loved one who is aging and losing their mobility to easily get around? Or, perhaps, worried about a friend who broke their leg and is now hobbling around on crutches? Part of the worry is that you’re afraid they might fall and hurt themselves, right?
The next time you’re worried about a loved one falling, why not offer to help him or her with fall-proofing their home. With just a few home adjustments, their chances of falling can be minimized.
If your loved one uses a walker, you can stick tennis balls on the...
