Feel a Cold Coming On? Load Up on These Surprising Vitamin C-Rich Foods!

If you feel a cold coming on, there are few better natural remedies than to eat foods that are high in Vitamin C. Orange juice is a popular option, but you can also take advantage of the high levels of Vitamin C in a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables. Here are just a few of the best sources of Vitamin C for the next time you’re feeling a bit under the weather.

  1. Papaya. Papayas are just as sweet and refreshing as oranges, and they contain 95.6 milligrams of Vitamin C in just one small fruit. Papayas are also rich in Vitamin A and dietary fiber. To get even more of this valuable vitamin, mash enough papaya to fill one cup; it provides about 140 milligrams of Vitamin C.
  2. Broccoli. Whether you toss it into a stir fry or eat it raw as a snack, broccoli is another great source of beneficial Vitamin C. One 148-gram serving provides about 132 milligrams of C vitamins that boost your immune system and prevent illness.
  3. Kale. Kale isn’t just a trendy so-called “superfood,” it actually does provide a whole slew of health benefits. Just two cups of chopped kale offers 160.8 milligrams of Vitamin C, as well as large amounts of Vitamins A and K, phytonutrients, and fiber.

Surprising Sources of Vitamin C [Berkeley Wellness]
7 Surprising (and Delicious) Sources of Vitamin C [Care2]
7 Foods With More Vitamin C Than an Orange [Huffington Post]

Track Your Mileage With These Apps for Runners

Keep track of your run every time you set out on the trail or treadmill with these great smartphone apps designed especially for runners. With built-in GPS, pedometer, and map features, each of these apps will significantly improve the way you record your workouts.

MapMyRun
MapMyRun is a simple GPS app that’s made to help runners record their times and distances. Whether you’re training for a marathon or simply trying to beat your own personal record, this app will provide a complete map of the area you run, deliver stats like time and speed, and even enable you to compare your current run to your times from the past.

RunKeeper
Map your runs and connect with fellow runners all on the RunKeeper app. This app operates just like many other GPS running logs, but it lets you see where your friends have been running, as well. Follow pre-planned routes to maximize the roads in your area, and even receive pace, speed, and mileage audio alerts as you run.

Runner’s World
The popular magazine’s app version offers the same invaluable running information and interesting articles just for avid runners. Read up on things like the right foods to eat before a big run, and check out the latest outdoor running shoes and other product reviews.

4 Quick Appetizer Recipes for Your Next Get-Together

When guests pop over unexpectedly, it can be stressful to throw together a quick appetizer. These creative, simple recipes will give you some ideas for tasty appetizers in just a few minutes.

Hot Artichoke Dip [Kraft]
Artichoke dip is always a favorite, but most recipes are complicated and difficult to prepare. This one requires only four common ingredients and takes just 25 minutes to make.

Chickpea and Mint Crostini [Real Simple]
With absolutely no cooking involved, this flavorful topping is a fast and delicious snack to set out when friends stop by. Pair it with crunchy crackers or crispy bread.

Figs Stuffed with Gorgonzola and Walnuts [Oprah]
When you want an elegant appetizer that looks like it took hours to make, this is a great choice. The figs add a sweet flavor that contrasts the cheese, and it bakes into a gooey, perfectly browned treat.

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer [Martha Stewart]
Using just a few common ingredients that you might already have in your refrigerator, this creamy goat cheese spread creates a decadent appetizer that your guests will love. Spread it on hot, crusty bread, and then store it back in the refrigerator for up to a week of additional servings.

Learn Something New With These Helpful Websites

Most of us spend at least a few hours a day checking Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and other websites that are known to be "time wasters." Why not balance those social media updates with websites that actually put your time to good use and help you learn something? Here are five of our favorites:

Instructables
Do you see DIY projects on sites like Pinterest and wonder how you can make them yourself? Stop pinning those projects and start making them using the helpful instructions on instructables.com.

Coursera
Colleges all around the country are offering free courses on topics from playing guitar and nutrition to physics. Each class is taught over a couple of weeks via videos and webcasts, and courses involve different amounts of work. Sign up for as many as you want and start learning.

TED Talks
TED is not actually a person named Ted. The acronym stands for technology, entertainment, and design. Watch these thought-provoking videos on all types of topics, like the digital age, violence, and marketing.

Goodreads
Find your next favorite book on Goodreads. Keep a running list of all the books you've read, and the website will recommend books you may like based on past selections. You can also connect with friends to see what they're reading.

Healthy Snack Recipes to Keep You Feeling Full

If you’ve ever dieted, you know how it is to feel like you’re never quite full all day long. Healthy snacking is an important part of any diet, and these healthy snack recipes will give you creative ideas to have at home or take with you on the go.

Bruschetta
The tasty favorite uses only a few ingredients to create a fresh tasting, flavorful midday snack. Simply toast a few pieces of whole-grain bread and slice up some tomatoes, olives, and red peppers for a small meal that’s both healthy and hearty.

Fruit Skewers With Yogurt Dip
Instead of cream cheese dip that's packed full of harmful calories, fruit this dip is made with fat-free yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract. By piercing a few of your favorite fruits onto a wooden skewer, this snack becomes just as portable as it is nutritious.

Turkey Pinwheels
If you’re concerned about getting enough protein throughout the day, this fun snack will keep you feeling full and energized. Whole-wheat bread, turkey, red peppers and cucumbers all rolled together into pinwheel shapes make unique alternatives to the traditional sandwich.

For more fun, healthy snack ideas, visit the NIH website here.

Public Domain/Public Domain

How Many Calories Does Physical Activity Burn?

Physical activity of any kind is always good for you, but some activities are better than others. To find out which types of physical activity burn the most calories (and to see where your favorite exercises rank), check out these interesting facts from the USDA. Here's some of its highlights:

  • The more a person weighs, the more calories he or she will burn.
  • Physical activities are grouped into two types, rigorous and moderate.
  • In one hour, an average man (5’ 10” and 154 pounds) will burn 330 calories from playing golf.
  • In one half hour, that same man will burn 140 calories just from walking at a normal pace.
  • Performing a more vigorous activity, like running or jogging, will burn 590 calories in an hour.
  • If you only have 30 minutes, another vigorous activity like lifting heavy weights or playing basketball will still burn about 220 calories.

This chart proves that the smallest activities can really add up. Even if you only have a short amount of time or you’re feeling a bit tired, any type of physical activity is better than nothing at all.

For more information about calories and physical activity, visit this informative chart from the USDA.

Happy Presidents’ Day

Remembering the courage and vision of past and present leaders, we honor and share the spirit of Presidents' Day together as a nation.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Wishing everyone a day filled with fun and happy memories!

Find a Fuel-Efficient Car by Using this Helpful Tool

With gas prices constantly on the rise and the state of the environment a major concern, purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle is a great way to conserve the amount of gas you use every day. And this handy tool from FuelEconomy.gov will help car buyers to compare the fuel efficiency of just about any car on the market to ensure that you make the smartest choice.

Many people know about hybrid cars as fuel-efficient options, but electric, bifuel natural gas, diesel, ethanol-gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and natural gas vehicles are also available from all of the major car manufacturers. This online guide allows users to compare different features of each of these types of vehicles to find the best one for your lifestyle, from MSRP to MPG.

EPA SmartWay certified cars have been proven to emit less greenhouse gases and smog-forming tailpipe emissions than other vehicles. If you’d like to purchase a vehicle with this guarantee, the EPA’s guide also includes full lists of all of the SmartWay certified vehicles for every year. Simply choose vehicles from that list, search the make and model in the guide’s comparison tool, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect environmentally friendly vehicle for your lifestyle.

Find and Compare Cars [FuelEconomy.gov]

Public Domain/Public Domain

Our New Facebook Sweepstakes Has Started! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends February 28th, 2014.

For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!

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