Healthy Eating Lifestyles

The Eight PM Myth

Have you ever heard this?
“Eating after 8 p.m. will make you gain weight.”

Well guess what? It’s a total ‘myth.’ The time of day does not matter at all. What does matter is the number of calories you consume throughout the entire day.

Rule of Fives

Practicing the "Rule of Fives" is a great way of keeping your energy levels and spirits high. Here are five habits and five foods that will definitely improve your life.

The rule is really quite simple, and quite easy, just have five servings of fruit and vegetables every day.

Start off every morning with a glass of your favorite fruit or vegetable juice.
(Now make sure it is real fruit or vegetable juice, not a juice drink product that is all pumped up with sugar.)

Keep a bowl of your favorite fresh fruits or vegetables handy (and in sight) in your kitchen or work area. A bowl of fruit always ads a bit of flair and warmth to a room. They will make a great healthy snack throughout the day.

Keep small containers in the refrigerator of fresh, sliced up fruits and vegetables 'ready to go.' These make great spur of the moment TV snacks and will come in handy when you have to dash out the door to run errands or take a little road trip.

Microwave for health:

Microwave your vegetables for lunch or dinner. It’s quick and preserves more of the vital nutrients than steaming or boiling.
It also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the full flavor of the vegetable.

Five Foods That Will Keep You Looking Younger

Grape Juice

Grapes are filled with antioxidant polyphenols that are said to contribute to healthy blood vessels thereby providing protection from heart attack and stroke. Other compounds found in grapes such as resveratrol, have been positively linked to fighting cancer, degenerative nerve disease and heart disease. Additionally, the chemical properties of grape juice help keep your skin flexible and elastic, working against those sags and wrinkles.

Sweet Potatoes

As we've all heard many times, overexposure to the sun is not very kind to our skin, in fact that over exposure is an accelerator of the aging process. Researchers have recently discovered that the pigments in beta-carotene-rich vegetables, like sweet potatoes and carrots, build up in your skin and help prevent damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Sweet Potatoes rank highest in nutritional value of vegetables and are high in vitamin C, B6 and beta carotene content.

Cheese

Cheese contains a high concentration of essential nutrients, in particular high quality protein and calcium, as well as other nutrients such as phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. Cheese is a great source of calcium and is one of the best foods you can eat for your teeth and bones. Additionally, eating cheese can lower the levels of bacteria in your mouth and keep your teeth clean and cavity-free.

Spinach and Brussels Sprouts

Spinach and Brussels Sprouts are full of compounds that help prevent and repair wear and tear on your skin cells as you get older. Researchers have identified at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as antioxidants and as anti-cancer agents. Plant phytonutrients found in Brussels sprouts enhance the activity of the body's natural defense systems to protect against disease, and DNA damage.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower Seeds have the highest natural vitamin E content of any food. Vitamin E is one of the most important nutrients for maintaing flexible younger looking skin. It is one of the most effective 'age fighting' (natural) antioxidants you can find. Additionally, the Phytosterols found in Sun Flower Seeds are believed to reduce cholesterol.

Our Top Five Picks for a Super Healthy Meal

Wild Salmon

= Omega-3 for a healthy heart.

Sweet Potatoes

= One of the best vegetables you can eat.

Broccoli

= Loaded with vitamin C, carotenoids, and folic acid.

Whole Grain Brown Rice

= Far more nutritional then refined white rice.

Fat-Free (skim) Milk

= Calcium, vitamins, protein, all with no fat

and if you 'd like bread with your meal, just add in . . .