HaveHealthNow Blog by Wellness Mike

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Eating for Energy Healthy eating is the cornerstone to success at work, home, and in the gym. Your body needs energy to keep going, just as your car needs fuel to drive. The food you eat gives you that energy — the physical and mental stamina you need to make it through your day. Energy comes from 3 nutrients: carbs, fat, and protein. After you eat, these nutrients are released into your bloodstream and converted to glucose, or blood sugar — the energy you need to power your body’s work. Energy you don’t use right away is stored as glycogen in your liver and muscles for quick release or as fat for possible use later. Colorful Carbs Fruits and vegetables contain complex carbs — your body’s preferred fuel source. If you don’t eat enough carbs, your muscles will feel chronically fatigued. You need 45%-65% of your calories as carbs — which fits perfectly with a plan to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Morning Energy Boost After 8-12 hours without food, your body need

Today’s grocery stores and neighborhood produce stands offer an attractive array of fruits and vegetables. Becoming produce savvy and learning to be selective will help you make good choices. Before long, practicing these tips will make the best choices easy. Timing is Everything Purchase your fruits and vegetables twice a week to assure you get the freshest available. Vegetables and fruits lose nutrients the longer they sit around — especially vitamins A and C. If something is on sale, ask the produce manager how long it’s been in the store. Sometimes fruits or vegetables are marked down because they’ve been unrefrigerated for several days or are damaged. If you’re buying produce to eat today, buy ripe. For tomorrow or the next day, look for items that need just a little ripening. If you don’t plan to use them until later in the week, buy fruits and vegetables that aren’t yet ripe. (You can ripen fruit more quickly by putting it in a loosely closed paper bag at room temperature.)

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