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December

Health Tip of the Month

Eat regularly

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Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can lead to out-of-control hunger and unwanted blood sugar spikes, often resulting in helpless overeating. When you skip meals, your metabolism slows down and you aren’t burning calories like you should. Your body thinks you are starving so when you eat again, your body stores away more than usual, resulting in more fat. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger.

In simple terms, this means having breakfast, lunch and an evening meal, with 1-2 snacks in between meals (ideally fruit or vegetables) every day.

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November

Health Tip of the Month

From flu prevention to weight management to mental health- we’ve got you covered to having a safe, healthy, and fun winter!

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One in six people will get the flu this year —why be one of them?

November brings out the viruses and bacteria. Common-sense practices can minimize your risk of catching (or spreading) all those upper-respiratory ailments. For instance, if you’re sneezing and coughing or feeling feverish, don’t be the Grinch who brings it to work or school or the birthday party. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not into your hand.

Food poisoning happens a lot at holiday time. Cases of E. coli or salmonella can result if you’re not totally scrupulous about food-prep safety. All of your “fresh” vegetables and fruits need to be rinsed, even if the packaging says “triple washed.” Use separate knives and cutting boards for vegetables and for meats/seafood/dairy when you prepare multi-course holiday meals. Wipe down counters and wash your hands after handling raw meat, seafood or eggs.

nov2How are your cholesterol and blood sugar levels? Your blood pressure and weight?

Get a head start on your New Year’s resolution and commit to not over-indulging in November. Never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. Cut back on eating or drinking anything that came out of a drive-thru window. If you’re invited to a feast, fill up on healthy nibbles and water beforehand. At holiday meals, half-fill your plate with multi-colored vegetables before you reach for the bread basket, mashed potatoes or gravy.

nov3It’s not all in your head!

Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is a real medical condition. Daylight Saving Time ended on November 2— your body’s biochemical rhythms will get thrown off as a result. Our access to Vitamin D-rich sunshine gets shorter, and many people will feel inexplicably moody or almost jet-lagged as a result. Eat foods that can boost your mood (fish, dark greens, citrus fruits, beans, tomatoes, squashes), and cut back on carbs and alcohol. Take advantage of available daylight by working or walking outdoors at midday. Turn off electronic devices several hours before bedtime — their dim “blue” light disrupts your brain’s sleep patterns.

De-Stress With Meditation

The bad weather, the seasonal pace, work: If this time of year has your stress meter spiking, it may be time to close your eyes, breathe … and get a little repetitive. Repetition is at the heart of meditation‘s soothing power. The act of banishing thoughts, focusing on your breathing, and repeating a single word or phrase fires up your body’s natural relaxation response.

Meditation can do more than soothe away stress. Research shows it may help lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and reduce PMS symptoms.

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October

Health Tip of the Month
We could always eat more vegetables! Need ideas? October.jpg
  • Plan some meals around a vegetable main dish, such as a vegetable stir-fry or soup. Then add other foods to complement it.
  • Try a main dish salad for lunch. Go light on the salad dressing.
  • Include a green salad with your dinner every night.
  • Shred carrots, zucchini, or squash into meatloaf, casseroles, quick breads, and muffins.
  • Include chopped vegetables (carrots, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers) in pasta sauce or lasagna.
  • Order a veggie pizza with toppings like mushrooms, green peppers, and onions, and ask for extra veggies.