You are here: Home / Archives for Health

Turn Your Home at Sendera Barton Creek Into a Workout Studio With These Simple Tips

June 16, 2016 by

Want to break a sweat without hitting up the gym? These simple workout ideas will show you how to create a space for exercise in your own apartment at Sendera Barton Creek.

  1. Do yoga. With so many online yoga classes and free tutorials, you can get in a complete yoga class right at home. Clear away clutter and extra furniture, dim the lights, and even light a few candles to create that yoga studio atmosphere (even if you’re just in your living room).
  2. Sweat it out with cardio. Start by clearing the furniture out from the center of your living space, and then pop in an instructional workout DVD. If you’re worried about the sound disturbing your neighbors downstairs, do your workout on a thick area rug or a non-slip exercise mat.
  3. Do some strength training. Invest in small-scale strength training equipment to build muscle even without pumping iron. Things like exercise bands, hand weights, and kettlebells are perfect for toning your biceps even in your apartment.
  4. Create a circuit. Many trainers agree that circuit training is one of the most effective types of exercise. Create your own at-home circuit by working with your apartment’s furniture, including step-ups onto a chair, crunches with your feet under the sofa, and sprints up and down stairs.

How to Build a Home Gym Anywhere [Men's Fitness]
Fitness Pros Weigh In: Essentials of a "No Frills" Home Gym [Apartment Therapy]
10 Small-Space Home Gym Hacks for Your Tiny Apartment [Brit + Co]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Did You Know These Foods Are Rich in Antioxidants?

March 17, 2016 by

You’ve likely heard about the health benefits of antioxidants, but do you know where they come from? If you’re one of the many people who would say that they aren’t entirely sure how to get that daily dose of antioxidants, these antioxidant-rich foods are great places to start.

  • Raisins. Dried fruits, like raisins, contain well over 2,000 total antioxidants per serving.
  • Blueberries. These sweet, plump berries have more antioxidants than a whopping 40 other types of fruits.
  • Strawberries. One of the next best berries is the delicious strawberry, which helps to protect your body’s cells.
  • Plums. Plums contain more than 4,800 antioxidants per serving, and dried versions offer even more.
  • Oranges. Oranges are rich in the antioxidant beta-cryptoxanthin. It helps to lower your risk for arthritis.
  • Spinach. That’s right—some veggies contain antioxidants, too. Spinach is packed with the types that promote healthy eyes and prevent blindness.
  • Brussels sprouts. This tasty vegetable is becoming increasingly popular, which is a great thing because it is packed with isothiocyanates antioxidants that help to prevent cancer.
  • Beets. Pink beets not only look pretty on top of a salad, they also deliver a hearty dose of antioxidants.
  • Eggplant. Eat eggplant to take in the antioxidants that protect against plaque buildup in the arteries and prevent cancer.

20 Common Foods With the Most Antioxidants [WebMD]
Which Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables Should You Be Eating? [Reader’s Digest]
8 Foods Rich in Antioxidants [FitDay]
10 Antioxidant-Rich Foods [Food Network]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How Pinterest Can Help You Streamline Your Skincare Routine

June 18, 2015 by

Whether you’re 16 or 60, everyone needs a great skincare routine to keep their skin looking its best. Pinterest is an entertaining resource for everything that you want to know about skincare, including the best products on the market today. Here are three Pinterest boards that will help you to streamline the way you care for your skin.

Organic Skincare
If you want to improve your skin without using harsh chemicals, the Organic Skincare board is filled with all natural remedies that really work. These tips recommend organic products like pure coconut oil and raw cane sugar to cure just about any ailment of the skin, and it also offers recipes for masks and cleansers that you can make at home.

Care Tips
From superfoods to help improve your skin from within to the best sunscreens to use on acne-prone skin, this board features tips for improving your skin at all ages. There are also a number of recommendations for the best drugstore skincare products so that you can care for your skin without emptying your wallet.

Skin Tips
Browse the Skin Tips Pinterest board by sections like homemade skincare, the best beauty products, and beauty secrets to find the best ways to care for any type of skin. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or acne-prone, this board has a remedy that will improve its look and feel.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Start Jogging — Safely!

June 4, 2015 by

You might not think of yourself as much of a runner, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t start. Jogging is a great way to get outside, build your endurance, and maybe even drop a few pounds, and these expert tips will show you how to start doing it in a safe and enjoyable way.

  1. Check with your doctor. If you’re unsure about your health, it’s always smart to check with a doctor before beginning any new exercise plan. Tell your doctor about your plans for jogging and work together to create a safe, accessible workout routine.
  2. Wear the right clothes. Be sure to wear sturdy, well-fitting running shoes so that you don’t injure yourself while jogging. Stay cool and comfortable with loose shorts or pants, and stay warm in layers if the weather is chilly.
  3. Warm up. Warming up helps you to gradually increase your heart rate, so be sure to walk or slowly jog for at least 20 minutes before jogging.
  4. Stretch. Avoid cramping muscles and prevent injury by stretching your limbs before you set out, but after warming up. At this point, your muscles will be warmed up and stretch more easily.
  5. Cool down. Walk to cool down your muscles for at least five minutes after jogging to prevent lactic acid build-up in the legs.

How to Start Jogging If You Have Never Done It Before [Healthy Living]
Jogging for Beginners [FitDay]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Stealthy Meets Healthy: How to Sneak More Fruits and Veggies Into Your Child’s Diet

May 21, 2015 by

Many parents worry about whether or not their child is getting the proper vitamins and nutrients. Until your picky eaters are old enough to fully understand the benefits of healthy eating, you may need to adopt a tactical approach to their meal prep — one that involves sneaking in some fruits and veggies! These recipes are so tasty, they’ll be none the wiser!

  1. Make your own ice pops. Instead of giving your kids sugar-laden, store-bought ice pops, replace them with homemade versions that are just as delicious. Make your own using 100 percent fruit juice and frozen berries in an ice pop mold.
  2. Stir spinach into your pasta. If you make a family-sized pot of pasta for a weeknight dinner, stir spinach into the sauce for a full serving of veggies that the kids likely won’t even notice. You can even add the mild tasting green to macaroni and cheese!
  3. Make a cauliflower pizza crust. If your kids refuse to eat pizza topped with vegetables, cut calories and incorporate a sneaky serving of veggies by using a recipe for cauliflower crust.
  4. Top burgers with fresh veggies. For children who are less squeamish about veggies, make treat meals like cheeseburgers a bit healthier by topping with fresh vegetables. Add fresh spinach, sliced tomatoes, and even onions in addition to the burger patty and melted cheese.

Cooking Tips [Fruits & Veggies More Matters]
5 Ways to Sneak Veggies into Family Meals [Eating Well]
Sneak Vegetables Into Your Kids' Food With These Tasty Recipes [All You]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea

April 2, 2015 by

If you’ve ever made a cup of tea that was too weak or too strong, you know how difficult it can be to create the perfect cuppa. Follow these five expert steps to properly brew tea at home, whether you prefer relaxing oolong or stimulating black tea.

  1. Using a teapot, bring very cold tap water to a boil. It’s important to bring your water to a boil before adding a tea bag to ensure that it brews fully. Add one tea bag per one cup of water.
  2. If you’re brewing black tea, pour boiling water directly on top of the tea bag and let it steep for three to five minutes.
  3. For green teas, remove the pot from the stove and let it cool for 10 minutes. Next, pour the water over the tea bag and let it steep for just one minute.
  4. For delicate oolong teas or white teas, heat your water only to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour it over the tea, letting oolong steep for five to seven minutes and white teas for only three to four minutes.
  5. If you want to make iced tea, simply brew your tea as instructed and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, just pour over ice and enjoy.

Make a Perfect Brew [UK Tea & Infusions Association]
The Tea Experience: Home Brewing for the Best [The Tea Association of the U.S.A.]
Brew a Perfect Cup in 3 Easy Steps [Teavana]
How to Brew Hot Tea [The Republic of Tea]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Three Cooking Substitutes for When You’re in a Pinch

March 19, 2015 by

Any seasoned cook knows that sometimes you have to get creative when sticking to a recipe, especially if you're short on some of the ingredients. The good news is that with a few easy swaps, you can make any recipe, even if you don't have the traditional ingredients on-hand. Here are three cooking substitutes for when you’re in a pinch:

  1. If you're missing brown sugar: Your craving for homemade cookies won't wait until you can get to the store for all the ingredients. If you’re short on one cup of brown sugar, you can substitute it one cup of white sugar combined with 1/4 cup of molasses.
  2. If you're missing butter: While no kitchen should ever be without this important ingredient, it tends to happen if you cook a lot. You can replace one cup of butter with one cup of margarine or vegetable shortening. If the recipe calls for melted butter, you can use the same amount of oil.
  3. If you're missing half and half: If your carton is empty, you can easily recreate this essential ingredient with 1/2 a cup of partly skimmed milk and 1/2 a cup of heavy whipping cream.

Top 3 Ingredient Substitutions [All Recipes]
Ingredient Substitutions [University of Nebraska]
Baking Ingredient Substitution Table [Joys of Baking]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Get More Vitamin A in Your Diet

October 16, 2014 by

Vitamin A provides a number of wonderful eye health benefits, from minimizing dry eyes to helping to absorb light in the retinal receptors. In addition to improving your eye health, it also supports cell growth and improves the health of the kidneys, heart, and other essential organs. Here are just a few surprising food sources for beneficial Vitamin A.

  1. Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are some of the best sources of Vitamin A out of any food, offering a staggering 561% of the recommended daily amount in just one whole potato. Better yet, the delicious sweet potato offers all of its priceless nutrients while adding only 103 calories to your diet. Simply bake one in the oven for a healthy side dish that’s absolutely packed full of A vitamins.
  2. Carrots. This other favorite orange food is equally as rich with Vitamin A. The carrot has been known for its eye health benefits for quite some time, though many people don’t realize that it’s because of the numerous A vitamins inside. One medium carrot offers a full 200% of the recommended daily intake, and it’s a great source of the Vitamins C, K, and B that your body also needs.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Vitamin A [Healthaliciousness]
Vitamin A [NIH]
26 Foods High in Vitamin A for Healthy Eyes [Bembu]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Ensure You’re Safely Serving and Preparing Eggs

September 4, 2014 by

Eggs are essential ingredients in a number of dishes, but they can also be dangerous to your health if handled incorrectly. To reduce your risk of salmonella and other diseases that come from eggs, follow these important guidelines.

  1. Shop smart. The first step toward healthy egg care is inspecting your eggs in the grocery store for cracks or dirty appearance. Also be sure to only purchase eggs that are stored in a refrigerated case.
  2. Store them properly. Eggs should be stored in a clean spot in the refrigerator at 40° F or lower.
  3. Cook them thoroughly. If you’re preparing scrambled eggs or another egg dish, be sure that both the yolk and white are firm and that the egg reaches a temperature of 160°F. Never eat batter or dough containing raw eggs before it's cooked or baked.
  4. Store egg dishes properly. Dishes made of only eggs cannot be stored, so be sure to eat them immediately after cooking. If you prepare something else that contains eggs, always keep it refrigerated.
  5. Keep it clean. Even if you use the utmost care when handling eggs, it’s essential to wash your hands, cooking and prep surfaces, and any utensils thoroughly to remove any traces of eggs. Wash hands and utensils with hot, soapy water, and scrub kitchen countertops with bleach or another germ-killing product.

Playing It Safe With Eggs [FDA]
Eggs & Food Safety [Incredible Egg]
Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Salmonella from Eggs [CDC]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Foot Care Tips for an Active Lifestyle

January 23, 2013 by

Your feet are one of the most important parts of your body, and you subject them to a lot of abuse every single day. Foot pain can be seriously debilitating, whether it be from strains, blisters or other issues. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your feet in good shape.

The most important thing you can do for your feet is wearing the right kind of shoe. Not only should they fit snugly, but they should also be appropriate for the kind of activity you are doing. Different kinds of shoes are designed for different things, so make sure your shoe offers the ideal combination of support and comfort.

Good sock selection is also very important. It’s important to wear socks that will wick moisture away from your feet as you exercise. Excess moisture left on the skin can result in blisters, fungal infections and more.

Toenail care is essential for healthy feet. You should always trim your toenails in straight lines perpendicular to your toes. This prevents ingrown nails and other issues. Make sure not to trim down the side of the nail.

If you feel anything unusual with your feet, you should consult a podiatrist immediately. Left undiagnosed, foot problems can lead to very significant health issues that can impact you greatly.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Pin It on Pinterest