Sleep is so important to our overall health. Poor sleep is a contributing factor to chronic illnesses.
Check the following article to get some indepth information and tips for getting better sleep!
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/your-complete-guide-to-sleep
2024 can be a year of better health for each of us. I continue to learn more and more about the benefits of eating more plants and am finding it easier to do as I try new recipes. I've also been searching for restaurants with either "Farm to table" menus and other plant based focuses. It is wonderful to have such good options and such good recipes to try at home. I'm also learning some nice shortcuts for quick and easy meals at home.
Tonite I had a nice bowl with cauliflower rice, peas, spinach (all frozen) and 3 small slices of pork tenderloin heated up. I drizzled olive oil over the bowl then sprinkled lots of nutritional yeast on it. It was really good! I have enough spinach, peas, and cauliflower rice for about two more bowls. Next time I will have avocado on top, and then maybe two over easy eggs. Easy, healthy, and good!
Did you know that the general diet that many eat; convenience and processed foods is called the SAD (standard American diet).
Convenience and processed foods are made to taste good, but are not as nutrient dense as whole fruits, vegetables, and grains. So you may get plenty of calories but may not get all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that whole foods provide.
The summer is a great time to eat more fruits and veggies! Take a look at the easy recipes on this website and try something new this week!
It's hot and hazy here in North Carolina. Great weather for a trip to the beach or pool. Happily, summer fruits and veggies are in abundance at local Farmers Markets and roadside stands. A favorite of mine is watermelon. Watermelon is a high glycemic food, but it is low in carbs, which at least partially balances its effect on blood sugar. You can pair your watermelon with a serving of nuts, another healthy fat, or a serving of protein to smooth out this effect even more.
Peaches are a low glycemic fruit, as are most berries.
Other low glycemic summer produce includes onions, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, spinach and lettuce.
Enjoy Summer and try some new recipes. (and don't forget frozen fruits and vegetables for convenience and to avoid waste!)
Spring seems early this year and what a nice surprise! Nice weather always helps me to focus on taking care of myself. This spring I am trying more vegetarian options in my weekly routine. I use an instant pot and have learned such delicious ways to cook barley, lentils, black and white beans, and oatmeal. Adding healthy grains to your diet provide fiber, vitamins and minerals while helping to lower your cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.
After several lovely years living in coastal Delaware, I decided to move back to my favorite state of North Carolina. Moving is not for the faint of heart, and the effort kept me occupied for several months. Now that I am settled, I am ready to head into 2023 with renewed energy and purpose relating to my health and well being.
As I grow older, I realize more every day how important my health habits are. I recently learned an acronym that describes the key components of healthy aging and I plan to embrace them this year. The acronym is NEURO and the specific areas are Nutrition, Exercise, Unwinding (destressing), Restorative Sleep and Optimizing Brain activity. That seems like a lot to work on, but the habits are complimentary and working on changes a little at a time leads to great benefits.
In my next blog post, I will focus on some suggestions for making small changes in Nutritional habits that will lead to sustainable changes.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Katy
