"I'm not a fan of depriving myself. So I reserve splurges for one weekend day. Usually I stuff myself so much that I want to eat right the rest of the week. The cheat day gives me something to look forward to. When eating grilled chicken, vegetables, and rice on Tuesday, I know a chocolate cake is waiting for me on the weekend."
"I grocery-shop online using services like AmazonFresh, PeaPod, and FreshDirect. The biggest reason I do it is so I have plenty of healthy foods around when I need them, and also so that I can avoid unhealthy impulse buys like candy or desserts at the grocery store."
"I've learned that you don't have to use tons of butter and oil to get lots of flavor. My cooking is based very much on herbs. I actually use very little butter. One secret is to add something acidic like lemon juice, orange juice, or red wine vinegar to meats and dressings to brighten the dish without adding fat at all. I am a big fan of citrus zests."
"Our bodies are mostly made up of water, so I stay hydrated. I drink a bottle of water every hour of the day; my last bottle I drink is at 10 P.M. Water improves your digestion—plus, when you are hydrated, your skin looks amazing. I squeeze a bit of lemon or lime if I get bored with plain water and stay away from fancy sweetened waters that are pure sugar."
"I've found that the most important thing for me is a good night's sleep. Even if I'm eating well, juicing, doing yoga, and meditating, none of that matters if I'm sleep-deprived. I turn off all my screens an hour before I go to bed, light a candle, read a few chapters in a book, and play a little music."
"I avoid processed ingredients and opt for whole grains. To make it easy, I make a big batch of brown rice or another whole grain on Sunday and incorporate it into different meals throughout the week. I also eat tons of beans—they're healthy, affordable, and versatile. I make a big pot on Sunday and use them as a side dish, in salads and soups, and then pureed with herbs and spices for awesome dips."
"I have a wicked sweet tooth, but I don't want to be eating junky candy all day long, which is why I've recently become obsessed with a snack called Matt's Munchies. Basically, they're fruit roll-ups for adults—just as sweet but way healthier than the overprocessed lunchbox staple, with only 35 to 70 calories each. The mango flavor is my favorite, but they also come in a bunch of other yummy incarnations."
"I never skip breakfast. Feeding your body after you rise is essentially like putting gas in your tank. You need mental and physical energy to get the day going…even having something as simple as low-fat yogurt with fruit, or a glass of milk with a banana and a small handful of nuts can provide you with the protein and fiber you need to tell your body it's ready to go. One of my favorite breakfasts is a scrambled egg with cheese and whole-wheat toast and a cup of nonfat milk. Eggs provide high-quality protein and really fill me up; the cheese adds lots of flavor, not to mention calcium; and the skim milk provides calcium, vitamin D, and so many other nutrients."
"It is possible to stay light and make healthy choices when eating Mexican food. Here's what I do: For fajitas, I opt for lettuce cups instead of tortillas. For burritos, I ask for grilled vegetables instead of calorie-dense beans and rice. I go spicy! Chilies help digestion and can speed up metabolism."
"If I want to indulge in a sweet treat, I will break it in half and throw one part of it away before starting to eat. That way I don't overeat. I get the pleasure of a sweet treat without all the guilt."
"I think we often feel guilty about playing,' but taking time for ourselves and learning about ourselves helps us feel inspired, confident, and energized. I need to make space for creativity in my own life, so I keep a journal that includes free writing, lists of dreams, and drawings. It's about finding inward inspiration."
The various sections of this site address specific aspects of your health and well being in a detailed and informative manner. Not only will you find delicious and healthy recipes, health insurance buying tips and information about various effective weight loss systems like the Mediterranean diet, you will also learn about cooking light, how to lose weight, eating healthy snacks, the food pyramid and healthy nutrition for fitness.
Nature’s way to beat stress, sleep can help you relax and rest so that you feel refreshed and energized to face a new day. Mood enhancing hormones are released while you sleep and energy stores are replenished. Getting at least 6 hours of restful sleep every night can transform your level of health.
Over one half of any population is dehydrated. Water is critical to staying alive and healthy. It is important for all bodily functions. It isn’t necessary to buy costly bottled water. Just plain, filtered water is good enough. Drink whenever you’re thirsty, and make sure you get your daily requirement.
Modern living is stressful. But you must learn to control your stress levels to enjoy life. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be mindful. Pray. Meditate. Take enough time out of a hectic schedule to commune with nature. Remove any stressful stimulus in your environment.
Exercise isn’t a favorite term for many. So don’t call it that. Just keep moving around through your day. Avoid sitting in any one place for too long. Walk, run or jog around your block. Shuffle around your home. Go swimming. Shop. Do whatever it takes to move around and be more active.
Volunteer to support any cause or project that’s dear to you. It is emotionally fulfilling, spiritually enriching and can give you a deep sense of satisfaction with your life. Encourage friends and family to join you for more fun. The joy of serving others while working on things that really matter to you will make you happier, healthier and lower stress.
These simple tips will help you be healthy and happy.