Health Archives - Page 12 of 125

April 18, 2024

Celebrate Life’s Sweetest Moments with Chocolate

For those special days and holidays when we come together to celebrate, why not make it even sweeter? Celebrate with chocolate — a timeless treat that brings joy to every gathering. And the best part? Studies show that indulging in chocolate — especially rich, dark chocolate — can actually be good for your health. So go ahead, savor the sweetness, and make every celebration a little more delicious. “With an increasing number of studies focusing on chocolate and cardiovascular health, chocolate’s popularity is on the rise and frequently discussed in the media. The reason…is that the cocoa bean, which is […]

April 9, 2024

Published by CeliAct

Here’s Your Guide to a Gluten-Free Pregnancy

It’s certainly common to worry during pregnancy. Things like what vitamins to take, what to eat, how much to eat and what to pay attention to when getting blood work done are just some of the common worries that women have. These questions carry even more weight for those of us who have celiac or gluten-intolerance. A few months ago, I shared my personal journey regarding celiac, fertility, and successfully getting pregnant once starting a gluten-free diet. Because I was diagnosed with celiac just a couple of months before I became pregnant, I had lots of questions. Were there extra steps I […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Grace O

Spring Vegetables Take Center Stage

After a very challenging winter (at least here in Southern California where we actually had blizzards that left ten feet of snow in the local San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains), we are so ready for spring! In most of the country, you can get most any vegetable any time of the year, because we import many items from places like Mexico and Central America. But beginning in March and April, spring vegetables are ready for action and local produce becomes readily available at markets—farmers and super. Here are a variety of spring vegetables that are especially sweet and delicious […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Us?

Ever wonder if all those too-good-to-be-true-sounding claims about apple cider vinegar (ACV) are true? Let’s break down the research! ACV is created from ripe, high-sugar apples that have undergone a fermentation process to convert the sugar to alcohol and then to acetic acid. Many of the health benefits of ACV are linked to the “mother” — a combination of yeast, probiotics, and enzymes created during the fermentation process. The “mother” is the cloud-like glob in the bottom of the bottle of many ACV bottles on the market. ACV has long been considered a cure-all in some traditional medicine circles, but […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Fight Allergies and Inflammation with Nettles

You may have noticed nettles growing alongside your hiking trails and avoided them because of their notorious stinging bite. But next time you’re out, think about bringing some gloves to collect them – nettles are a nutrition powerhouse! Stinging nettles are one of nature’s many superfoods so read on to learn about the nutritional and healing benefits of this medicinal plant. Growing naturally in many areas of the world, there is good reason that nettles have been used medicinally in Africa, Asia, Europe and America for centuries. Chemical compounds have been identified in the roots, leaves and hairs of the […]

April 9, 2024

Published by FoodTrients

Embracing Elderhood: A Plan for Longer Life

Finally! A practical guide to walk you through the process of planning for a longer life. Using her years of experience as an Elder Law and Estate Planning attorney, and the personal lessons she learned walking her own parents through this process, Laurie Menzies explains, in practical terms, the best way to plan for this stage of life. Her book, Embracing Elderhood: Planning for the Next Stage of Life, does not provide answers to the crisis of aging—instead, it offers options that are available both to the families with the foresight to plan, as well as to those who made […]

March 27, 2024

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

5 Ways to Prevent UTIs and Improve Bladder Health

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and can be quite uncomfortable and even dangerous to your health. They occur when bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), enter your urinary tract and multiply in your bladder, causing an infection. The most common symptom of a UTI is a burning sensation when urinating, but other symptoms can include bloody urine, abdominal pain, fever, and the need to urinate often or urgently. Women are more likely to experience UTIs than men, with more than half of all women experiencing a UTI at some point in their lives. The role of diet in […]

March 27, 2024

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Probiotics May Improve Your Quality of Life

Probiotics are trending as a hot topic this year because these good bacteria are gaining more scientific evidence that they support human health. Linked to aiding gut health and supporting good bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, probiotic foods are growing in popularity. Read on to learn more about the role of probiotics in your health and how to include them in your diet today. Probiotics are live organisms used to increase good bacteria in the lower gut. Common probiotics include lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and saccharomyces which are all strains that can be found in a variety of foods you […]

March 12, 2024

Published by FoodTrients

12 Ways To Practice Happiness Daily

On a quest to achieve richer fulfillment in your life? While happiness may be relative, there are actions you can take every day to keep your mind positive and your body at its best. Here are 12 happiness activities to exercise daily, excerpted and adapted with permission from the book The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky. 1. Express gratitude Bolsters self-esteem; encourages moral behavior; diminishes feelings of anger and bitterness. Strategies: Keep a gratitude journal. Express gratitude directly to someone else, either in person or by writing a letter that you can send or keep. 2. Cultivate optimism Prompts […]