While hosting one of our healthy living challenges a participant asked me "Do you ever worry you will run out of ideas for our weekly challenge?" I have to admit that one gave me a chuckle. Honestly there seems to be an endless list of ways we can fine tune the healthy care we give to this miracle that is our body.
Personally I love reading about health and wellness and would love to recommend three of my personal favorites in healthy books:
SuperFoods RX by Dr. Steven Pratt. In this book Dr. Pratt highlights information about 14 Superfoods that he believes can stop the incremental deterioration that lead to common ailments and diseases. Honestly this one got me excited about :beans, blueberries, broccoli, oats, oranges, pumpkin (I even tried a recipe for pumpkin soup that even my dog wouldn't eat), wild salmon, soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes, turkey, walnuts and yogurt.
Food Rules by Michael Pollan covers what to eat and what not to eat in a short easy to read book. Pollan has become famous for saying "Eat food, Not too much. Mostly plants". I love Pollan's other books The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food but this one is an easier read with quick tips that can largely affect your health. I gave this book to all 5 of my adult children. Here are a couple of my favorite rules: 1. Stay out of the middle of the supermarket; shop on the perimeter of the store. Real food tends to be on the outer edge of the store near the loading docks, where it can be replaced with fresh foods as soon as it goes bad 2. Don't eat anything that won't eventually rot. There are exceptions (honey) but as a rule, things like Twinkies that never go bad aren't food. 3. Don't eat anything with more than 5 ingredients or ingredients you can't pronounce. The small slim paperback contains many more and is one of my very favorites!
50 Ways To Soothe Yourself Without Food by Susan Albers is another great book. Albers explains that while food has the power to temporarily alleviate stress and sadness, enhance joy, and bring us comfort when we need it most this sadly results in as much as 75% of eating being motivated by emotions rather than physical hunger. Some of my favorites of the methods Albers recommends INSTEAD of food for self soothing: Soothing Affirmations, Soak Away Stress, and Crafty Ways to Self Sooth. I'm sure you will find some great suggestions that will work for you in this book.
At this point I'm sure you are starting to worry. Is Sandee going to make us read an entire book for our challenge this week and my answer is NO! But I am going to challenge you to read something each day (for 5 bonus points per day) about nutrition that you find enlightening or inspiring. It can be one of these three books or I can also recommend my favorite podcast/blog about nutrition
Nutrition Diva: Quick and Dirty Tips For Eating Well and Feeling Fabulous. You can find Monica Reinagel at NutritionDiva.com and can enjoy her podcasts, read her blog or subscribe to her e-mails. I think you will find her knowledgeable and inspiring. Among a few of the topics she has addressed recently: Are Steel Cut Oats Healthier? What type of Rice is the healthiest? Is Coconut Water Good for you? Monica handles topics with solid rather than fad science and is a good guide in your personal health decisions.
So that's your challenge ladies! For every day that you read something informative and inspiring on a healthy living topic (which would of course include topics other than eating- exercise, meditation etc.) you can claim your 5 daily bonus points.
And I would love it if you would share a few of the tid bits you learn in the comment section for this blog entry! Read away!
You must burn 3,500 calories to lose 1 lb. of body fat. The American Council on Exercise suggests burning 500 calories per day for a weekly weight loss of 1 lb. Burning 1,000 calories per day results in a weekly loss of 2 lbs.
ReplyDeleteRead more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/306032-how-many-calories-are-burned-to-lose-1-lb/#ixzz2LXqTMVoJ
My healthy reading is preparing for this Wednesdays challenge!!Dietary Fiber: How to Find It
ReplyDeleteNow that you know what dietary fiber is and why you need it, look for the foods that are fiber powerhouses:
Fruits and vegetables. Not only are fruits and vegetables delicious and versatile, they are also some of the easiest foods to prepare. Add some to every meal to get a healthy dose of fiber in your diet.
Whole grains. Choose whole grain cereals, breads, and pastas rather than refined “white” choices to boost your fiber intake.
Beans and other legumes. There are many varieties to choose from, and each packs a healthy punch of fiber.