Category: Healthy Tips

Many of us are trying to eat and be healthier. Have you stopped to consider all the little things you do and have in your house that are helping you achieve those goals?

I am a board member for a nonprofit in my community. At a recent meeting planning our upcoming fund-raising event, someone asked the Logistics Coordinator what her duties were for the event. She said ‘I do all the things no one else wants to do’. I stopped her in her tracks and said she does all the things that hold the whole event together. It got me thinking about all the little things we do or have that hold the rest of our lives together.

Here’s my list of 5 tools I use in my house to help me eat better.

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I have lived most of my life in New England. I love all four seasons but I have to admit, winter is tough sometimes. The days are shorter and much colder. I crave hearty meals and warm coffee drinks. I am restless, while at the same time I have less energy.

This winter, armed with some advice from my friends and my favorite healthy living bloggers, I am going to focus on one trouble spot in my day – the mid-afternoon work snack. Right around 3pm I hit my afternoon slump and I seem to crave a gingerbread latte and some sort of huge pastry with lots or frosting or crumble on top. I did a little research and talked to my friends to get some ideas for how to combat that 3pm urge.

So here are some healthy snacks that are known for being tasty and for giving you a much needed energy boost…

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In the past week I have been searching the internet for good sites I can leverage to support my journey. This is harder than it sounds. I have found that many sites are incredibly difficult to navigate and in the end present ideas that are either stale or super preachy. I am looking for down to earth, real life living types of sites. So far I have two that I am really excited about.

I didn’t have to look too far to find the first. The Guiding Stars website is wonderful. Having worked for Hannaford Supermarkets in the past and having two close friends who both work for Guiding Stars today I knew about the site but hadn’t really looked at it through my new lens. Guiding Stars in itself is going to be a tremendous help to me as I try to navigate the grocery shelves but the site is an added bonus. It is very inviting and easy to navigate. I love the blogs because I know they are written by real people, in some cases people I know! (My husband even wrote one!)

The second site I stumbled on through a twitter post. As I was perusing my twitter feed I saw a post about a link to a Roasted Cauliflower recipe. I followed the link and ended up on the Summer Tomato website. Darya Pino is the creator of the site. She is a research scientist and San Francisco foodie who has managed in my opinion to create the perfect blend of down to earth, real people healthy eating tips. In just a couple of visits I have already found no less than 10 recipes I want to try (including the Roasted Cauliflower). An added surprise, when I subscribe to the site I received a 27 page booklet “How to Get Started Eating Healthy” by Darya. I saved it to my Good Reader app so I always have it with me. It was exactly what I needed.

What websites would you recommend for down to earth, real living healthy eating tips and recipes?

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One of my biggest hurdles in eating healthy is I feel that I run out of recipes I can make on a regular basis. I feel as though I eat the same few healthy things over and over and my taste buds get tired so I find myself returning to not-so-healthy options.

Lately I have been leaning on a few great websites to help me cure my taste bud exhaustion by giving me good, easy recipes, with ingredients I already have that are also good for me. Some let you choose by ingredients, some give you creative way to prepare your regular shopping items in not such a ‘regular’ way and others are just plain fun to try out.

Real Simple has a great menu suggestion tool that lets you choose by ingredient, convenience, course or keyword. All the recipes we have used have been…

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Man’s best friend is well known for being a great companion, but did you know he/she could make you healthier too?

Happiness

It’s been proven owning a dog actually makes you happier – you could even get a discount on your life insurance! Bonus: being happier makes you healthier.

Walking/Running

Dogs need exercise, just like us. Having to walk or run them for a half hour every day will help you drop pounds on the scale, too.

Swimming

I’m a certified lifeguard and swim instructor, but my 1 year old lab could still easily outswim me – but then, that’s what he’s bred for. As hot as it’s been this summer already, how about taking your four-legged friend for a dip? It will be a treat for him and you!

Playtime

Running around and playing with your dog burns calories, just like playing with your kids. So let the child in you out and play some tug o’ war.

A little weight lifting

It’s a little outside-the-box, but you can get your weight lifting time in with a dog. My dog is scared of stairs and at 60 pounds, I can’t afford for him to be afraid of them for much longer. But, lucky for me, I’ve noticed as he’s gotten bigger, I’ve gotten stronger…

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Children who build their plates this way will become healthy eaters for life. Make it fun, and remember, by following this model, you’re guaranteed stars on half of your child’s plate…

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Post holidays, our taste buds still crave what we’ve been giving them. What with all the holiday parties, cookies, and candies how could we not want more? Hopefully decreasing sugar intake is one of your New Years’ resolutions, but if it’s not…these tricks will help you become far healthier.

I should clarify: these may not cure your sweet tooth, but they’ll certainly occupy it for the time being.

Craving candy? Try a piece of fruit. An apple is a great option, or try berries (to get the antioxidant benefits). The natural sugar isn’t only good for you, but it should take care of that sugar craving. Although if you need some extra sweetness, try some form of raw sugar or cinnamon on top.

Need ice cream? Try a soy-based or no sugar added ice cream. There’s still sugar, but they’re both healthier options.

Try a drink. Stay away from the liquor cabinet, but try a sweet tea – maybe a white tea or peppermint flavored. If that isn’t enough, try juice – but make sure it’s 100%.

What about you? What’s your tip for staying away from the cookie jar?…

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