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4 Health Benefits of Napping

April 2, 2015 by

While you may think of napping as a luxury reserved for the weekends, taking quick power naps throughout the workweek is not without its benefits — just make sure your boss is okay with it first! Here are four of the most important health benefits of napping:

1) It increases your level of alertness.
Even a 40-minute nap will increase how alert you are by a full 100 percent. Just think of the ways that extra energy will improve your work performance or help you tackle chores around the home!

2) It boosts memory retention.
If you take a mid-afternoon nap when you start to feel tired, once you wake up you’ll be able to remember more facts and deliver a better performance without feeling sluggish.

3) It prevents disease.
That’s right: napping regularly not only improves your brain function, it also improves your overall health. Napping for just 30 minutes a day a few times a week is said to decrease your risk of heart disease and diabetes and help your body to heal itself more quickly.

4) It makes you happier.
It may seem like common sense that you feel less grumpy after a nap, but there’s more to it than that. Napping increases your brain’s production of the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter serotonin, which increases overall feelings of well-being and decreases stress.

Napping: Do's and don'ts for healthy adults [Mayo Clinic]
The Health Benefits Of Napping: Resting Can Help Reduce Stress And Protect Immune System [Medical Daily]
Unleash the Power of the Nap [The Art of Manliness]

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How to Help Preserve the Health of Your Eyes

March 20, 2015 by

You lift weights for your muscles and use fancy creams for your skin, but what do you do to protect your eyes? The eyes are often overlooked, but they are some of the most important parts of the body. Here are a few simple things that you can do to help ensure good eye health for years to come.

  1. Have a comprehensive exam. If you don’t wear glasses or contacts, you might go for years between eye exams. The only real way to know how healthy your eyes are is by having a comprehensive dilated exam administered by an eye care professional, so be sure to schedule an appointment.
  2. Eat the right foods. Yes, it’s common knowledge that carrots are good for your eyes, but other foods that can help improve the health of your eyes, as well. Dark, leafy vegetables, fruits, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids have all been linked to improving eye health.
  3. Keep them protected. Sunglasses don’t just look cool, they also serve a very important purpose. Wearing sunglasses helps to shield your eyes from the harmful UV rays from the sun, so be sure to choose ones that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

Eye Health Tips [Information for Healthy Vision]
10 Eye Health Tips to Protect Your Vision [Real Simple]
Five Tips For Eye Health [Eating Well]

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How to Take the Stress Out of Home-Cooked Meals

February 20, 2015 by

For as long as you can remember, there’s always been a certain pressure to provide your loved ones with a nightly “home-cooked meal.” Although it may sometimes feel like it’s impossible to prepare an elaborate dinner on busy weeknights, these smart tips will show you how to take the stress out of the classic home-cooked meal.

  1. Start meal planning. Sure, making a home-cooked meal is difficult if you don’t have all the ingredients or don’t know what to make. By planning a week’s worth of meals on Sunday evening, you can get your cooking schedule under control.
  2. Make preparations. Many at-home chefs use their weekends as a time to prepare the bases for the week’s meals. You can cook a dozen chicken breasts, bake a casserole, or even begin to marinate a steak to save yourself time the night of.
  3. Choose basic recipes. If you don’t have time to experiment with fancy recipes from cooking magazines, choose recipes that you already know and love. Just because your favorite spaghetti and meatballs is pretty basic doesn’t mean that it’s not home-cooked.
  4. Make it from scratch, but not entirely from scratch. Don’t feel like you have to crush your garlic by hand or chop each vegetable individually for your meal to count as home-cooked. Buying frozen veggies or garlic powder works just as well.

10 Secrets of Home Cooks (And How You Can Become One, Too!) [Real Simple]
6 Tips for Stress-Free Family Meals [Right @ Home]
How to Plan Your Weekly Meals, Stress Free [Lifehacker]

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How Pinterest Can Help You Streamline Your Skincare Routine

February 6, 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.

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The Essentials Every Home First Aid Kit Should Contain

December 26, 2014 by

Accidents happen. Any given day could present you with slips, scrapes, burns, and bruises, which is why a first aid kit is something every home should have within easy reach. Here are a few essentials that every home first aid kit should contain.

  1. Adhesive bandages. Most people have the traditional bandage strips on hand, but make sure to stock up on larger and smaller types for cuts of different sizes and for awkward locations.
  2. Tweezers. You’ll never know the importance of owning tweezers until to rub your foot against the rough wood on a deck or patio. Ouch!
  3. Thermometer. If you’re worried that you might be running a fever, a reliable thermometer can tell you for sure. If you have children, be sure to invest in a children’s thermometer, as well.
  4. Aspirin. From soothing a headache to relieving aching muscles, aspirin is a necessity for all kinds of ailments. Once again, children need their own type of aspirin, so stay well-stocked on both types if you share your home with little ones.
  5. Topical antiseptic. To reduce the risk of infection, clean any small cuts with topical antiseptic or antiseptic wipes.

First Aid Kit Essentials Checklist [Real Simple]
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit [American Red Cross]
First Aid Kit Essentials [Johnson & Johnson]
First-Aid Kit Essentials [Parents]

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Check Out These Surprising Health Benefits of Autumn’s Favorite Crop, Apples!

September 18, 2014 by

Apples are some of the most delicious types of fall produce, but they’re also packed with vitamins and nutrients that do your body some good. If you needed another reason to justify that second (or third) piece of apple pie, you’ll love this list of the many health benefits of apples.

  1. Cardiovascular health. The beneficial phytonutrients found in apples function as antioxidants and decrease the oxidation of cell membranes in the cardiovascular system. Quercetin, which is found mainly in the apple’s skin, is its main phytonutrient, but apples also contain chlorogenic acid, kaempferol and myricetin.
  2. Blood sugar regulation. The polyphenols in apples are also thought to help regulate blood sugar because they influence digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, reduce glucose absorption and stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
  3. Cancer prevention. Amazingly, apples have also been shown to prevent several types of cancers. They are even the only fruit or vegetable that’s been shown to prevent lung cancer.
  4. Asthma treatment. If you suffer from asthma, you may want to reach for an apple before your inhaler from now on. Apples contain a number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients that work wonders on human lungs and have even been shown to decrease asthma symptoms.

What's New and Beneficial About Apples [The World’s Healthiest Foods]
5 Health Benefits of an Apple [Eating Well]
10 Reasons to Eat an Apple a Day [Care2]

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Are You Brushing Your Teeth Correctly? Find Out Here!

August 22, 2014 by

You’ve brushed your teeth for as long as you can remember, but how can you be sure that you’re doing it correctly? Check out these simple steps for proper tooth brushing to find out.

  1. Twice a day is only the beginning. Although many people are taught to brush their teeth in the morning and the evening, that’s actually only the minimum amount. Brushing your teeth after a large meal or any time you drink a potentially staining beverage is always a good idea.
  2. Brush in a circular motion. Dentists recommend brushing in a circular motion up toward the gums rather than the usual back and forth motion across the teeth. This technique removes bacteria without causing gum pain.
  3. Stop the final rinse. While many people rinse their mouths out with a bit of water after brushing, this is harmful because it removes the beneficial film delivered from the toothpaste. If you feel the need to rinse, only put a small amount of water in your mouth and swish it across your tongue rather than around your teeth and gums.
  4. Don’t skimp on flossing. Flossing is just as important as brushing, and it should be done almost as often. Bonus points if you floss before brushing, as that enables the toothpaste to coat those hard-to-reach places between the teeth.

How to Brush [Colgate]
Proper Brushing [ADHA]
Am I Brushing My Teeth Correctly? [Lifehacker]
How to Brush Your Teeth [Crest]

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Brush Up on Your Dental Care Technique With These 5 Tips

August 21, 2014 by

Though you brush your teeth every single day, it can be difficult to tell if you’re really getting them as clean as they should be. Here are a few tips to learn how to brush your teeth properly.

  1. Brush for the right amount of time. In order to thoroughly clean all of your teeth, adults should brush for at least two minutes. Use a stopwatch if you aren't sure.
  2. Pay more attention to sensitive areas. Places like the gumline, fillings, crowns, and hard-to-reach back teeth require more brushing than the rest of your teeth, so give those areas special attention.
  3. Don’t forget the tongue. Brushing your tongue can make all the difference when it comes to having fresh breath, so give it a few quick swipes right before you rinse.
  4. Use the proper motion. Brush in short, gentle strokes and keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to contact both the teeth and gums at once.
  5. Take care of your toothbrush. Your toothbrush is a breeding ground for germs, so dentists recommend replacing it once every three to four months. This prevents cold and flu viruses, cold sores, and even some common infections.

How to Brush [Colgate]
Proper Brushing [ADHA]
Am I Brushing My Teeth Correctly? [LifeHacker]
How to Brush Your Teeth [Crest]

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How Much Oil Should You Consume?

June 19, 2014 by

Oil has a reputation for being bad for the waistline, but select oils are very beneficial when consumed in moderation. This helpful guide from the USDA provides simple, accessible descriptions of the main types of oils, then helps you to make informed decisions about which to use. Here are the highlights:

What are oils?
Oils are fats that become liquid at room temperature. Things like canola oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil are common, as well as the oils found in foods like nuts, olives, avocados, and some fish.

How are oils different from solid fats?
Solid fats contain more saturated fats and/or trans fats, while oils contain more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Saturated fats and trans fats raise the “bad” cholesterol in your body, which increases the risk of heart disease.

Why are oils important?
It is important to consume oils because they provide essential nutrients. Oils are the major source of essential fatty acids, which are necessary for your health, and they are also provide the majority of your body’s Vitamin E.

How much oil should I consume?
The average American adult needs anywhere from five to seven teaspoons of oil per day, depending on factors like your gender, age, and level of physical activity.

What Are “Oils”? [USDA]

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Cooking Without Eggs? Bookmark These 2 Webpages

June 6, 2014 by

Eggs are a staple in just about every recipe, but many people can’t consume eggs due to food allergies or a vegan diet. If you want to cook the delicious foods that you love without eggs, these websites offer simple tips and clever substitutions that can help.

Chef In You
The Chef In You Egg Substitutions page features just about everything you need to maintain an egg-free kitchen. A detailed chart describes things that you can substitute for eggs in a variety of dishes, including products like tofu, bananas, and commercial egg substitutes. There are even recipes that show you how to make desserts, breakfasts, and entrees without using eggs.

Kids With Food Allergies
Whether you have a child with a food allergy or not, this informative website will show you how to cook without eggs. The detailed articles describe alternatives for using eggs as a binder, a leavening agent, or a glaze, and there’s even a list that tells you some uncommon foods to avoid if you have an egg allergy. If you want to make an egg-free dish at home, Kids With Food Allergies also provides a few free recipes for baked goods without eggs.

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