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Easy and Effective Ways to Combat Stress

April 21, 2016 by

Everyone gets stressed out from time to time, but if it starts to interfere with your day-to-day life, you could be dealing with something a bit more serious. The next time you start to feel those overwhelming feelings creeping on you, try these simple tips for combating stress naturally.

  • Don’t let it go too far. It’s much easier to manage stress when it first begins than when it starts to spiral out of control, so watch out for the warning signs early. If you can tell that it’s going to be a stressful week, prepare in advance so that you can manage your tasks without becoming overwhelmed.
  • Address the physical side effects. While stress itself is mental, its side effects are often physical. When you start to get jittery or your feel your heart racing, do some relaxing stretches, practice breathing exercises, or simply close your eyes and count to 10 to counteract those feelings.
  • Watch your diet. Before you start stress eating or grabbing unhealthy fast food while rushing to work, stop and plan your meals. What you eat can have a big impact on your mental state, so be sure to try to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to stay energized. Try to steer clear of caffeine!
  • Do something silly. Take a break from life (even if it’s just for five minutes) to laugh at a silly video or dance it out. Sometimes that’s all you need!

Top 10 Instant Stress Busters [Lifehacker]
7 Best Ways to Bust Stress [SheKnows]
15 Easy Ways to Bust Work Stress [Men’s Health]

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How to Lose Weight — Without Going Hungry!

November 19, 2015 by

Sure, a diet involves cutting back on fat and calories, but that doesn’t mean that you should ever feel hungry. Here are some tips for losing weight without going hungry.

  1. Don't fast. Trendy cleanse diets involve drinking only water, juice, or not eating anything at all in order to shed pounds. While you might lose a bit of weight at first, fasting actually slows your metabolism down and causes you to gain more weight once you start eating again.
  2. Always eat breakfast. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day because it fuels you for the rest of the day. Try something with whole grains, protein, and fresh fruits and veggies to stay full without adding unnecessary calories.
  3. Stay away from starches. While foods like potatoes and breads will make you feel full very quickly, these food are filled with little more than carbs. Opt for whole grains or sweet potatoes instead.
  4. Plan your meals. If you plan your meals ahead of time, you won’t have to choose what to eat once your hunger starts to set in (which can lead to overeating).

Diet Myth or Truth: Fasting Is Effective for Weight Loss [WebMD]
10 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Without Starving [Men’s Health]
Losing Weight [CDC]

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How to Prevent Cross-Contamination in the Kitchen

August 20, 2015 by

Cross-contamination in the kitchen occurs when you use the same tools and cutting boards to prepare things like raw meat or eggs that you use to prepare fresh produce or cooked foods, contaminating the food you eat with the bacteria from these raw items. To avoid cross-contamination, follow these safety tips.

  1. It starts at the grocery store. Although cross-contamination is usually thought of in the kitchen, it can also happen before you even get your foods home. When shopping at the grocery store, be sure to package raw meats tightly in plastic and put them in a separate bag from other groceries. Also make sure that your carton of eggs doesn’t contain any broken eggs that could leak on other foods.
  2. Use separate cutting boards. One of the most important ways to prevent food poisoning from cross-contamination is by using different cutting boards for meat and other items. Properly label each board, and never cut fresh vegetables, fruits, or breads on the cutting board that you use for meat or eggs. Also, clean your meat cutting board thoroughly and replace it often.
  3. Cook safely. When cooking, never use the same tools to flip raw chicken that you use to stir-fry vegetables, as this can spread bacteria from the raw meat. Throw away any marinades that meat was once soaking in, and always serve cooked foods on a clean, new plate.

Safe Food Handling: What You Need to Know [FDA]
Separate To Keep Food Safe [Home Food Safety]
Cutting Board Safety [Home Food Safety]

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Helpful Tips for Controlling Your Blood Pressure

June 18, 2015 by

Controlling your blood pressure is important as you age, as it may decrease your risk of stroke or heart attack. High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is a blood pressure level of 140/90 mmHg or higher. If you feel that you may be at risk for high blood pressure or you simply want to take preventative measures, these simple tips can help. But first, remember to consult with your doctor!

  1. Start a heart-healthy diet. The most important way to control your blood pressure through your diet is by decreasing your sodium intake and not consuming saturated fats. You should also incorporate more lean meats, fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.
  2. Lose some weight. The majority of people with high blood pressure are at least 10 pounds overweight, so this makes a good starting point for how much you should lose to see blood pressure results. If you’re already on blood pressure medication, this can also help make it more effective.
  3. Decrease stress. Although stress isn’t the main cause of high blood pressure, it is certainly a contributing factor. Practice meditation and deep breathing to help ward off stressors in your daily life.
  4. Quit your vices. Bad health habits like smoking, drinking, and consuming too much caffeine can all increase your blood pressure, so try to cut them out of your life.

Prevention & Treatment of High Blood Pressure [American Heart Association]
Lower Your Blood Pressure Fast With These Tips [Healthline]
Preventing High Blood Pressure: Healthy Living Habits [CDC]

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Traveling Abroad? Stay Healthy With These Tips!

February 19, 2015 by

Your vacation abroad should be one of the most exciting times in your life, but it won’t be much fun if you spend the week sick in your hotel room. Many foreign travelers become sick from the germs in the airport or the strange climate, but it isn’t unavoidable. Here are a few simple ways to stay healthy while traveling abroad.

  1. Pack the right supplies. Things like antibiotics and a basic first aid kit will help in case of minor colds, and you should also be sure to bring along any regular medications that you take on a daily basis. In case you contract a more serious illness, packing your medical documents is also important.
  2. Visit a doctor beforehand. Some foreign countries require immunizations, so be sure to let your doctor know about your travel plans. It’s also important to keep your doctor in the loop in case you need to contact him or her while abroad.
  3. Wash your hands. Just like you do at home, it’s important to wash your hands before eating, after using the restroom, and periodically throughout the day. Avoid touching your face, too.
  4. Be smart. No matter how many precautions you take against illness, your best tool is your own judgment. Don’t eat foods that look like they were prepared in unsanitary conditions, and be sure to never accept medications from anyone but a licensed doctor.

Stay Healthy While Traveling Abroad [FDA]
5 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling Abroad [CNN Health]
18 Surefire Ways to Get Sick While Traveling [Independent Traveler]

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Crazy About Cosmetics? Check Out These Makeup Boards on Pinterest!

September 18, 2014 by

If you’re a fan of makeup, even the most average day can feel like playing dress up. From the latest cat eye looks to bold-hued lipsticks that add a dramatic flair to your look, there are always new makeup trends to try. Here are three great Pinterest boards that cosmetic enthusiasts will love.

Nail Art Designs
Your face isn’t the only thing that you can doll up with cosmetics. This Nail Art Designs Pinterest board is filled with fun and exciting ideas for your fingernails and toenails, and it even includes seasonal designs that will help you to coordinate your nails with the current holiday. Try out a classic chevron print or add lace decals to make your nails look professionally done right from your own home.

Makeup Looks
Whether you’re looking for something edgy and high fashion or a look that’s more natural and feminine, this Pinterest board has a makeup look for every mood. There are even costume makeup ideas with instructions that go along with them, so you can create the perfect cat whiskers or scary Halloween makeup for your next costume party.

Lip Colors
This board is dedicated entirely to the latest lip colors from your favorite makeup brands, including MAC’s dramatic mattes, classic Chanel shades, and even affordable options from Maybelline and Cover Girl.

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Saturated Fats Lurk in These Two Common Foods

June 19, 2014 by

Saturated fats are a hot topic in the nutrition world today, mainly because they increase the blood cholesterol that leads to heart disease. Though the average person should consume less than 10% of these “solid” fats each day, most Americans go well over that amount. If you want to cut down on the saturated fats that you’re likely unknowingly consuming, here are two foods to avoid.

  1. High-fat cuts of meat. Saturated fats often appear in the marbled parts of meat, which are quite literally where the fat is stored in the animal. Avoid marbled meats like bacon, salami, and lesser quality cuts of steak in order to reduce your saturated fat intake, and be sure to trim the fat from any meat that you prepare.
  2. Coconut oil. Though many sources have been preaching the health benefits of coconut oil lately, if you’re avoiding saturated fats the negatives often outweigh the positives. Coconut oil is a hydrogenated oil, which is by definition the food that contains the most saturated fat. It is made up of 93% saturated fat, and just one tablespoon of coconut oil contains 65% of your recommended daily value.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Saturated Fat [Healthaliciousness]
Saturated Fats Are Primarily Found in What Groups? [SF Gate]
Saturated Fat [CDC]
Fat and Oils [Better Health Channel]

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