HaveHealthNow Blog by Wellness Mike

Telemedicine is now Medicine https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/telemedicine-now-medicine-daniel-barchi

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