Living Naturally
Maybe you’ve read that most Americans get less than half the fiber they need for optimal health, and thought, “Oh, boy, they’re going to push more husks, groats, skins, rinds, seeds, stringy and raw stuff at me.” Well, maybe, but that’s not all.For most people, the word “fiber” conjures images of thread and yarn; it seems out of place as a term for describing components of food.…
Pain brings more Americans to their doctors than any other complaint. Yet doctors can’t just apply a pain monitor like they can check your blood pressure. How would you communicate your pain? It can be a challenge. Here are 7 tips for talking to your doctor about chronic pain.What is Acute Pain?Most all of us have experienced what pain experts call acute pain—pain that arises…
Admit it: The crisp, flaky outer scales of the onions you use in soups, salads, and casseroles usually end up in the trash (or perhaps more usefully, the compost bin). But don’t toss them out before you’ve put them to use. For your health!Recent research confirms that the outer skins of onions provide an exceptionally rich source of plant compounds called flavonoids, especially the…
It’s flu season. The signs have begun appearing everywhere, “Flu season is here. Hand sanitizer: two for the price of one.” Don’t count on alcohol hand sanitizers to ward off the flu. For years we’ve been encouraged to locate these products around the house, stash them in knapsacks, purses, and glove compartments. At supermarkets, there are alcohol-wipe dispensers…
We often talk about WHAT to eat, but a big part of healthy eating and weight control is HOW MUCH to eat. So, what is a serving size? And is that different than a portion size? Here’s the skinny.
What’s a “Serving Size”?
A serving size is a “standardized” amount of food that’s usually measured in ounces or cups, based on dietary guidelines. For example, a serving is one cup…
Budgets are tight for many of us. If you’ve squeezed and squeezed and squeezed yours again, maybe these few tips can help you squeeze some more—and have a little creative fun along the way.Creative Frugal Living Tips to Save MoreCut Your Own Hair and Save HundredsIf you adopt a simple hairdo, you can easily learn to cut and trim your own hair (and beards, for men). Online and…
Summer brings a bounty of healthy, farm-fresh food! But remember to properly wash your raw fruit and vegetables! It’s not difficult and safety is especially important these days. Here are 10 quick tips to ensure our fruit and vegetables are properly cleaned and stored. We all know that fresh fruit and vegetables have enormous health benefits, helping to prevent heart disease,…
My sister and I both love to cook. We aim for dishes that are nutritious, cheap, quick, and delicious. But our cooking resembles that of our great grandmothers on the farm, whose recipes called for a lump of this, a pinch of that, and a few handfuls of whatever’s available from the garden or the cupboard. If you’re up for this approach, here are some pointers for creating recipes from your…
Everybody falls down. We slip on ice, trip over unexpected obstacles, fail to negotiate a step up or down, lose our balance. Here are ways to prevent falls and reduce our risk of falling down.We fall inside and outside. We fall doing household tasks, while shopping, chasing a hat blown off by the wind, during strenuous activities, during vacations, and just strolling along.Falls…
When I hear the statement, “When people can’t afford pork or beef, they move to chicken.” I always wonder, “But what about the folks who’ve already moved down from chicken to beans?”
Well, many people have moved to eating more beans and lentils for reasons that may or may not include financial distress because they’re so good for our health (and our planet).
Who’s Eating…
Ever noticed that rugs, draperies, and upholstered furniture have smelled like cigarette smoke? The toxic residue left by cigarette smoke long after it’s gone is called “thirdhand smoke.” Learn about its health effects and how to reduce your risk.
You’re probably well aware of the more widely researched health effects of secondhand smoke (i.e., “passive smoking”) which has led to a…
Ever experienced muscle twitches, jerks, or involuntary tics? What causes them? Are they serious? Don’t panic—here’s everything you need to know.What are Muscle Twitches and Tics?After recent hip surgery, I began experiencing unsettling twitching, cramping, and wavelike sensations along my affected side. My physical therapist reassured me by saying this was no doubt my…