Weekly Wellness
Issue 218
Featured Article
Fitness Tip
Avoid Shin Splints
"Shin splints" is a general term referring to pain in the front of the legs, usually relating to exercise. Starting a new type of exercise, or increasing intensity too quickly, can cause this pain. The best ways to avoid them are to: 1) increase your exercise intensity level gradually, 2) wear well-fitting shoes made specifically for your type of exercise, and 3) start a lower leg stretching and strengthening program (ask a health club staff member for advice).
Nutrition Tip
Delicious and Worry Free Grilling
Buy the right burger and bring back the barbecue! If you feel the need to give up the tangy pleasure of grilled food for fear of carcinogens, you've missed the point. It is true that grilling meat creates cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic amines. However, grilling is not the problem, the meat juices sizzling on open heat is what causes these carcinogenic culprits. A safe alternative is vegetable burgers instead of beef burgers. No meat, no meat juices! Here are three of the best of the best on the market:
- Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean
- Gardenburger Savory Mushroom
- Boca Burgers Roasted Garlic
See also: Remove Carcinogens When Grilling Meat
Herb of the Week
Raspberry Leaf
Raspberry Leaf is a source of mild astringent compounds. Astringents tighten up and dry out loose, soggy tissue. Raspberry leaf is used for excessive menstruation and diarrhea, and is a good hemostatic for bleeding. An important ingredient, ellagic acid, is a powerful cell protectant and antioxidant. Raspbery leaf is widely recommended for a healthy uterus and is considered to be not only safe but an excellent help during pregnancy.
Quick Recipe
Vegetable Burger
Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add one box (10 ounces) frozen kale (thawed and cooked according to package directions), 1-cup sweet red pepper strips and 1/2-cup sliced red onion. Saute, stirring often, for three minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Spoon over a large tortilla and sprinkle with 1-1/2 ounce grated 2-percent Monterey Jack cheese. Fold sides of tortilla to form a pocket.
Tidbit(s)
Stay Young Longer with Exercise
Running and other aerobic exercise can keep you younger, longer, say researchers. Not only were older exercisers (ages 50 to 72) able to postpone disability by about nine years compared to their non-exercising counterparts, but they also lived longer. In other words, they lived a better-quality life longer than those who did not do any type of aerobic exercise.
Source: Archive of Internal Medicine
Food Fixes
When purchasing papayas in the supermarket, look for ones that "give" slightly when pressed. Look for skin that is smooth and has already started to turn yellow.
To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet. Let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean.
Avoid green potatoes - they have been exposed to light and are actually "sunburned", which turns the flavor bitter.
Spray your electric beaters with nonstick cooking spray before mixing cake and cookie batters to prevent clumping.