Posts filed under 'Health'
Black is the new superfood
Move over acai berry and mangosteen. The latest antioxidant-rich superfood making headlines? Black rice.
Add comment August 26, 2010
Weight watcher
Not exactly the research finding I want to be reading after five indulgent days in NYC that included drinks with most meals, mac ‘n’ cheese for brunch (never heard of that, but on all the brunch menus in NYC, love it!), dessert with every dinner (like this plate of four fresh beignets with raspberry sauce and nutella at The Little Owl), a decadent 10-course meal at Momofuku Ko, all paired with zero gym time:
A study published in Nutrition & Metabolism has found that four weeks of increased gluttony and decreased exercise can cause increased weight and fat mass more than two years later.
(gulp)
3 comments August 25, 2010
Operation hydration
When the aesthetician’s eyes practically popped out of her head, I knew my skin was in really, really bad shape. “Your skin is not dry, it’s dehydrated,” she said. I could tell that my skin was unlike any dehydrated skin she’d ever witnessed–I’m surprised she didn’t whip me straight into the company’s laboratory to use me as a case study.
Yes, Health & Swellness readers, along with my running, my water consumption’s gone off the rails, too. But, I’m determined to get back on track. For running, stylish gear and freshly downloaded iTunes (namely Ladyhawke and Lady Gaga) are inspiring me. Now onto Operation Hydration:
I used to think people who swore by their Britas were crazy–and then I became one of them. It so does taste different then plain ol’ tap. Alas, my Brita pitcher had seen better days so I ditched it months ago, along with my commitment to proper hydration it seems. Thankfully, I’ve got a new Mavea pitcher–which is very slick in terms of design plus it’s got a special screen to cut down on those floating bits of black carbon (I used to think I was the only one scared of the floating crud but then I read Save Karyn and was relieved to learn I wasn’t alone). A neat bonus is Mavea’s computer meter, which measures the length of time the filter has been in use and the volume of water filtered.
Something else I fear even more than the “crud” (aka black carbon particles) floating in my water pitcher? How unclean my reusable bottles are. Thing is I’m way too cheap to invest in a special brush and cleansing tablets to clean my bottles and so I never feel like I’m getting the bottle squeaky clean. And when I spotted an editor on a press trip chugging from a Alex Bottle, it’s funky shape intrigued me–what was that thick band across the middle, I thought? She gave me a quick demo and I immediately added it to my must-have list. This new line of bottles twists apart in the centre, so you can properly clean the insides (which also means you can drink juice, powder sports drinks or smoothies in it, too, or toss in ice cubes with ease).
Now that’s something I’ll drink to.
Add comment August 19, 2010
Say no to free statins
Sure, a free statins tablet with your fast-food meal may lower your cholesterol, but may also make us all think we can chow down as often as we like on fatty foods and increase diabetes risk.
Add comment August 18, 2010
Surf’s up…
…and so is your mood–or at least it will be after 30 minutes of catching waves. New research from California State University has found that surfing for half an hour is a mood booster and will decrease negative feelings and fatigue. Makes me even more keen to cross “learn to surf” off my to-do list.
Add comment August 17, 2010
Would you like a free side of statins with that?
Some UK researchers are proposing that along with picking up your ketchup and salt at the condiment counter in fast food joints, you should also have the choice of getting a cholesterol-busting statin tablet to counteract the effects of your fatty meal.
2 comments August 16, 2010
Fast food nation
Courtesy of Men’s Health, a top ten list of the worst fast food meals in the U.S. Have you had any of them? I was mortified to discover that I have–the McDonald’s breakfast (minus the biscuit), granted it was back in elementary school as a special treat. Besides, I think fast food once in a blue moon is fine (except for that Hardee’s loaded biscuit, that thing looks revolting).
Add comment August 10, 2010
Taking a cue from Popeye the Sailor…
…and the New York Times and I’m cooking with spinach–each of these five summer spinach recipes sound delish! Need more convincing? This leafy green is rich in iron, vitamin K, calcium and folic acid.
2 comments August 9, 2010
