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If so, you are not alone.
You could be overfed with nourishing food which is one step better, but sadly, many feed themselves more calories than needed with man-made nutrient-empty food. This past 4th of July holiday, I was once again discouraged with what I saw and heard from a community of well-educated American parents.
While walking through a grocery store, I couldn't help but notice baskets being filled with stacks of pure white deli potato salad, deli-made BBQ chicken wings, bags and bags of chips, stacks of packaged hot dogs and processed cheese slices, pounds of hamburger meat, bleached white buns, boxes of cookies and crackers, dyed popsicles, sodas, colorful energy drinks, ice cream, bags of candy, a few stalks of corn (yeah!) and some iceberg lettuce.
One cart was completely packed with cases of soda. (I should have taken a photo; I bet you've seen this with your own eyes.)
You say, "Okay, it's a holiday, so what?" I say, this grocery spree is repeated throughout the year.
I love being active.
I know that this may be one of those generic statements at which people tend to be puzzled. But, I really do mean it when I say I love being active.
Exercise can be difficult for me, mostly because I often find myself unmotivated to get up and go. As a graduate student, I also have a hectic schedule. I work part-time, take graduate level classes, conduct psychology and communication research projects, and teach introduction courses in both basic and interpersonal communication.
When do I have the time to work out the way I want to?
This summer, I actually took my dusty bike off the racks in my parents' garage and brought it with me when I moved for graduate school. I was excited that I was going to finally take up biking again. As a kid, I spent many, many hours riding around the neighborhood. I had such an enthusiasm for biking.
I have not been on my bike for seven years. Seven years. That's a very long time. I tried picking it up a few years ago, but I just did not have the endurance to go for a long ride.
After several years of working out in college, I have better endurance. I love to walk and go for long hikes. But, I was still afraid that I'd be unable to ride very far and that it would take a few months to build up my endurance on my bike.
Zucchini is powerful enough to stand on its own as a side dish. It has enough flavor and texture to absorb herbs and spices, making it a versatile vegetable to cook. Nutritionally speaking, zucchini is a favorite for those watching their waistlines. At only 30 calories for each medium-sized zucchini containing no saturated fat or cholesterol, it's a very low-calorie food. Its skin is a good source of fiber, which not only helps with digestion, but also keeps you satiated. Plus, zucchini is a valuable source of folate, vitamin A, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C.
Enough reasons to stock up on this summer vegetable, right?
If you never go out and explore, you will never know what you are missing.
I lived in the city of Chicago for several years when I was working on my two Bachelor’s degrees. I loved going out and taking long walks, going to the beach to soak up the sun, walking around Lincoln Park Zoo to see the animals, and jumping on the train to explore a different neighborhood. I was always the type of person who loved exploring and pushing boundaries.
When I was a little girl, my mother told me that I was always running around, busy doing whatever it was little kids like to do. I was always going, playing with my little kitchen, swimming, playing sports, baking, gardening, and running around the yard with our family dog. I was fascinated by any new toy or place. It was important for my growth to feel safe expanding and learning while exploring.
Just looking at the prices at Whole Foods and other well-known (as well as lesser known) food stores, you can feel overwhelmed by the high prices for food.
Yet, according to a USDA report, 14% of all deaths in the U.S. are related to poor diets and/or sedentary lifestyles. Eating a healthy diet can greatly reduce the risk of chronic disease and the associated healthcare costs.
So, we know the importance of healthy eating; but, do healthier foods truly cost more?
Most all purpose and white flours on the market have been bleached, bromated, and enriched.
What does that mean?
Bleached flour is just what it sounds like – the flour has been chemically bleached to make it whiter. And bromated means that potassium bromate has been added to increase elasticity and improve the rise of baked goods. But, the chemicals used in this process pose potential health risks.
And, even though you know you should have had some oatmeal (or at least a piece of fruit) in the morning, instead, you run out the door and end up at your favorite coffee shop to buy a super-duper coffee latte loaded with sugar. Or, maybe you are morning soda drinker and just can’t stop.
We all struggle with bad eating habits. Here’s the question: Which ones are causing the most harm and should be changed right away, and which ones can you gradually ease into reversing them into healthy eating routines?
I swear. I have an epiphany about life in general, at least once a week.
This is emerging adulthood, my friends. You will have revelations about things your parents tried to teach you when you were younger and are only now figuring it out for yourself. You will fail sometimes, but you will also succeed and feel fabulous about it. You will compare yourself to others constantly, and you will experience emotions you never thought were possible to experience. You will get jealous about other people’s happiness (technology and social media certainly do not help with this).
This is all part of life. You just never thought this would happen to you.
I do not claim to be an expert at anything, especially when it comes to living life. But, I have learned a few valuable lessons for those who are at the end of high school, attending college, just starting a new career, or getting married and having a family.
One of the biggest lessons is how to deal with stress effectively.
Now that all the ice has melted and summer is fully upon us, here are a few tips to stay safe while trying to be the next Golden State Warrior and not the injured weekend warrior.
In 2011, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 1.4 million basketball-related injuries were treated in hospitals, doctor's offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and emergency rooms.
This year kale is still going strong, and other greens are getting some attention as well such as spinach, arugula, mustard, collards and beet greens. They are powerful leafy vegetables rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals making them an integral part of your diet to combat disease and aid in immune system health.
The tricky part is how to eat them. They can be added to salads, but some can be quite bitter when raw. Another way is to steam and enjoy it with a little drizzle of olive oil and salt. The most popular way to consume them has become either in juices or smoothies. They are easy to add to the blender and with the right mix of fruits and sweeteners (honey, sugar, fruit juices) they can be quite delicious!
One fateful day, he didn't feel well and stayed home from school. Next thing he recalls is that he woke up in a Juvenal Detention Center wondering what he was doing there. His father confirmed he had made news; he had gone to school with a rifle where he held his classmates and teacher hostage. Not on that day nor now does Cory have any memory of doing this, and, he was and still is deeply horrified.
It is known that Eric Harris had been taking psychotropic drugs for a while before he shot and killed at his school in Denver, CO. These are just two examples of how many have suffered the consequences of the over prescription of "mood stabilizers."
The most common thread among these injuries is that most can be avoided.
With the unofficial start to summer upon us, we all hope for more sunny and fun filled days. Each year, more than 200,000 children in the U.S. are injured on playgrounds - the most common injury is from falling off monkey bars - where they will require medical attention.