Weekly Wellness
Issue 274
Featured Article
Toasting Marshmallows -- Camping season is officially getting underway -- learn how to toast that perfect, sweet, low-fat tasty marshmallow over your campfires.
Fitness Tip
Take a Walk
Daily walks relieve feelings of anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of enthusiasm and optimism. And that's not all. Daily walks also can help you boost your energy level, enhance your self-image, release tension, manage stress, and improve your ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well. You can't go wrong! Best of all, walking is free, although you should be sure you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes. If you're not sure how to determine what the right shoe for you is, see the article, Find the Right Exercise Shoe.
Nutrition Tip
Juice vs. Fruit
A piece of fresh fruit has one key advantage over a glass of juice. When you eat an orange, an apple or a grapefruit, you're getting fiber, which isn't there in a glass of juice. Not only does fiber play a major role against diabetes and heart disease, but it fills you up with fewer calories, helping you control your weight. Fruit juices also tend to be high in added sugar. Citrus fruits in particular are loaded with antioxidant, cancer-preventing compounds, and they're bursting with vitamin C, folate and potassium.
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quote:
"You'll lose weight on any strict diet, but it's mostly water...from crying."
-- Randy Glasbergen
Quick Recipe
Homemade Sorbet
Making homemade sorbet is a snap. Freeze four cups of your favorite berries or melon chunks. Combine the frozen fruit with one-half cup orange juice in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Freeze.
Tidbit(s)
Stress and Your Cholesterol
In a recent study, researchers discovered that acute stress temporarily raised cholesterol levels in the study participants. And those with the greatest stress-induced spikes were most likely to have high cholesterol 3 years later. Use strategies such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation to minimize stress. See also: Step up to Good Cholesterol
Food Facts
Instead of depending on lettuce to give extra crunch to sandwiches, try using sliced cucumbers, mushrooms or radishes. People will enjoy these tasty, low fat substitutions.
Mock "Guac" -- To make your favorite guacamole recipe lower in fat, replace the avocado with cooked, drained and pureed broccoli or asparagus. For every 2 cups of "mock" guacamole, stir in one-quarter cup fat-free mayonnaise.
When a chili recipe calls for low-sodium tomato juice, try substituting low-sodium V-8 juice instead.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!