Weekly Wellness
Issue 337
Featured Article
Fitting Fiber into Your Day Now that you have so many good reasons to eat fiber, consider these ways to get more into your diet.
Fitness Tip
Take the Stairs
Yes, most of us have heard this before, but it bears repeating. The key to cutting stroke risk may be right inside your house. Studies suggest that climbing just three flights of stairs every day can cut your stroke risk by 20 percent. If your house has a second floor, find excuses for going upstairs whenever possible. If you live or work in a high rise, make a habit of getting off the elevator a few floors below your apartment or office.
Nutrition Tip
French Fries Linked to Diabetes
Eating French Fries twice a week hikes your risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly 20 percent, according to a Harvard University's 85,000-woman and 20-Nurses' Health Study. Some researchers believe that after years of eating starchy (and greasy) foods such as French Fries, that release a lot of sugar into your blood, your body stops producing enough insulin to handle the sugar, causing diabetes. Try substituting sweet potatoes, brown or wild rice, or beans.
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quip:
A recent study found that adults who regularly ate breakfast were four times less likely to be obese than people who skipped breakfast. See: Breakfast on the Fly
Quick Recipe
Memory Aid Smoothie
This low-calorie smoothie is a good source of fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Blueberries in particular contain compounds that can help prevent cataracts, cancer, constipation, and memory loss.
1/2 cup orange juice
1 pint nonfat vanilla or peach frozen yogurt
2-1/2 cup sliced peaches
3/4 fresh or frozen blueberries
Blend well.
Tidbit(s)
Bottled Water -- Is it Worth It?
The environmental impact of the country's obsession with bottled water has been staggering. Each day an estimated 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away. Most are not recycled. The Pacific Institute has estimated 20 million barrels of oil are used each year to make the plastic for water bottles. Pepsi was recently forced to admit they used bottled water in their products. Pepsi since agreed to change its label under pressure from the advocacy group Corporate Accountability International, which has been leading an increasingly successful campaign against bottled water.
Food Fixes
For fresh bunched carrots, immediately remove the leafy green tops. (They draw off moisture and vitamins from the edible root, and can cause wilting and toughening.) Store carrots in plastic for up to three weeks in refrigerator crisper.
To keep dried fruit, marshmallows and other sticky foods from sticking to your knife blade, dip the blade in cold water or spray it with nonstick spray.
Tasty Tip: Jazz up mashed potatoes by stirring in some horseradish, crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!