HaveHealthNow Blog by Wellness Mike

NO-BAKE OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE BALLS Preparation 5 minutes Serves 9-10 cookie balls     ADJUST SERVINGS These no-bake treats taste just like a chewy oatmeal raisin cookie but are naturally sweetened and full of only wholesome ingredients! INGREDIENTS 1 cup oats (I use old fashioned) 1/2 cup packed Medjool dates, pitted and chopped (about 5-6 large)1/2 cup raisins1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon cinnamonpinch of salt1-3 tablespoons water, as needed (see notes) INSTRUCTIONS Add all of the ingredients into your food processor. Pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until everything is well combined. Add extra water as needed to get the mixture to come together (see notes, below).Wet hands and roll mixture into golf ball-sized cookie balls. Enjoy! RECIPE NOTES I usually need 2-3 tablespoons of water to get the mixture to come together. It will depend on how dry your dates are. Add a bit at a time and wait till the mixture sticks to itself so you can roll it into

Got a late-night sugar craving that just won't quit? "To satisfy your sweet tooth without pushing yourself over the calorie edge, even in the late night hours, think 'fruit first,'" says Jackie Newgent, RD, author of The Big Green Cookbook. So resist that chocolate cake siren, and instead enjoy a sliced apple with a tablespoon of nut butter (like peanut or almond) or fresh fig halves spread with ricotta. Then sleep sweet, knowing you're still on the right, healthy track.

While there are heaps of good-for-you foods out there, some key ingredients make it a lot easier to meet your weight-loss goals. Next grocery store run, be sure to place Newgent's top three diet-friendly items in your cart: balsamic vinegar (it adds a pop of low-cal flavor to veggies and salads), in-shell nuts (their protein and fiber keep you satiated), and fat-free plain yogurt (a creamy, comforting source of protein). "Plus, Greek yogurt also works wonders as a natural low-calorie base for dressings and dips—or as a tangier alternative to sour cream," says Newgent. Talk about a multitasker!

Think you're eating well? Misconceptions lead to nutrient deficiencies for many! (BPT) - The good news? Americans think they are eating well; in fact, 60 percent say they eat a very healthy diet. The not-so-good news? Perception and reality may not be aligned. Only 6 percent of Americans report eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day, reveals recent research from supplement maker MegaFood. The discrepancy leaves a huge nutritional gap to fill. The survey results highlight another knowledge gap between Americans and healthy eating - you can eat plenty of healthy foods, and still not get the recommended daily allowances of key nutrients. For example, 52 percent of survey respondents say they think they get enough vitamin B6 in their diets. B6 is found in foods like bananas and avocados, plays an important role in producing fuel and energy, and is critical for optimal function of the brain, nervous and immune systems. However, the Centers for Disease Cont

Quick Exercise Tips for Your Everyday Routine Work, household chores, errands, playtime, dinner, laundry—with so many things to do and not many hours in the day, finding time to exercise is difficult. To help you fit in the physical activity your body craves, we’ve rounded up some simple, quick workout routines you can fit into your daily schedule. With these fast exercise ideas, you’ll be able to stay moving even when you don’t have time to hit the gym. “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” –John C. Maxwell Sleeping Beauty Leg Exercise Wake up and warm up with this in-bed exercise! Lie on your back and lift your legs about 6 inches off the bed. Keep your abs tights, back flat, feet together, arms to your sides, and knees straight as you use your feet to draw small circles in the air without touching the bed. Do 20 circles clockwise and 20 circles counterclockwise. (Calf) Raise

     Considering the bulging waist lines of 36.5% of the population in the United States (CDC statistic on obesity), it is obvious that sticking to a healthy eating plan is a challenge for many people. If you are having problems sticking with that resolution that you set in January, here are some simple tips to help you start to create new and healthy eating patterns. ·            * Calories count. It's not low fat vs. low carb. You can eat fewer calories by eating less food (which is why you can lose weight on any diet that restricts entire categories of foods or limits portion sizes), but you may get hungry and gain it back. Fat has 9 calories per gram, but protein and carbohydrates have only 4 calories per gram. This means that when you eat less fat, you consume fewer calories without having to eat less food. Eat less fat and fewer simple carbs. To achieve a one pound weight loss per week, 3500 calories should be subtracted from your normal weekly caloric intake. To do this

Lemon Essential Oils Use Lemon essential oil: To eliminate odors. Diffuse this refreshing and energizing scent anywhere musty smells tend to arise. Put 2–3 drops on a cotton ball and place at the bottom of the diaper or garbage pail to keep things fresh. To freshen surfaces. Add to natural household cleaners before wiping down dirty surfaces. In your beauty routine. Add to skin care products to reduce the appearance of blemishes or add to conditioner or DIY hair masques to bring out hair’s natural shine. Lemon Vitality Use Lemon Vitality: In the kitchen. Create custom dressings or marinades with a few drops or substitute 1 drop of Lemon Vitality for 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in your baking. As a supplement. Add 1–2 drops to a vegetarian gel capsule and take as needed. On the go. Before you head out, add 2–3 drops of Lemon Vitality to your glass water bottle. Buy yours today or learn more at www.WellnessMike.com

Eat more fiber. If your doctor didn't give you this advice at your last checkup, she probably should have: 97 percent of Americans don't get the recommended daily amount of dietary fiber they need to stay healthy. But what is fiber, and why is it good for you? Dietary fiber, sometimes called "roughage," is a plant-based carbohydrate found in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains such as rice and wheat. Our bodies have a difficult time digesting fiber, which is actually a good thing - as fiber passes through the body undigested, it does a lot of good along the way! Fiber has many proven health benefits. It has been shown to improve heart health, lower cholesterol, control blood sugar, decrease the risk of stroke, help you feel fuller longer, prevent constipation and boost digestive health and your immune system. Experts like the Food and Drug Administration recommend we consume about 28 grams of fiber each day - which, it turns out, is a lot o

Why eating breakfast supercharges your health (BPT) - Want to make 2017 the year you focus on your health? Wellness goals are admirable throughout the year, but too often well-meaning people make a common mistake that sabotages their efforts: they skip breakfast. It's a daily choice that millions of people shrug off as no big deal, but research proves breakfast is an important component in how you feel throughout the day. Fueling up solely on java may perk you up momentarily, but it doesn't do the trick long-term. Consider these five reasons why breakfast boosts your health and should not be ignored. Awakens your metabolism When you eat breakfast, you "break the fast" from your sleep periods and give your metabolism a wake-up call. When you sleep, your metabolism slows and you burn fewer calories while you rest. By eating a nutritious breakfast, you are sparking your internal engine so it burns calories and gives you more energy throughout the day. Helps

(BPT) - In spite of the well-documented drawbacks of not eating breakfast, approximately 30 percent of Americans are still failing to fuel themselves in the morning, according to WebMD. And many of those moving through their days with empty stomachs blame a lack of convenience. Earlier this year, the Washington Post pointed to research showing millennials consider even breakfast cereal too inconvenient. And research cited in the Huffington Post indicates Americans 18 and older who miss their first daily meal most frequently blame lack of hunger or an overly busy schedule. However, several studies point to adverse health and cognitive effects from missing breakfast. Consumer Reports indicates eating within two hours of waking promotes the metabolizing of your glucose or blood sugar all day, in turn boosting your energy. "Don't skip breakfast," advises researcher Dr. Leah E. Cahill of Harvard Medical School. "Incorporating many types of healthy foods into your brea