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07/31/11
Health Tip: The Feel Good Medicine
How long has it been since you had a good belly laugh? Researchers
speculate that laughter may play a big part in your immune system by
reducing stress and anxiety and affecting blood flow to improve your
overall health. According to a study in Fertility and Sterility getting
the giggles is a bit of a wonder drug. “Women were 15% more likely to get
pregnant after they were entertained by a ‘medical clown.’” Seriously, I’m
not making this up! Whether you’re trying to get pregnant or just staying
on top of your health a couple of hours of Comedy Central may be just what
the doctor ordered!
07/24/11
Health Tip: Metabolism and the Pre- and Post-Menopausal Body
Written by Dr. Anne Barnard
Women often come into my primary care office complaining, “Things just
aren’t like they used to be in terms of my metabolism. I am eating the
same things and doing the same amount of exercise and still my weight is
creeping up!”
The Surgeon General in her “Healthy People 2010” recommends 150 minutes of
moderate exercise per week (30 minutes, 5 days a week) but is this really
enough? Finally, there is some good medical literature that sheds some
light on this subject. In an article published in JAMA, March 2010, a
group from Harvard Medical School shared their findings of a large
clinical trial, in which they followed over 34,000 pre-menopausal women
for 15 years and charted their weight and activity level, while allowing
them to consume their “usual healthy diet”. Two key points are worth
noting:
- Just to MAINTAIN their weight, these women needed to exercise an
average of 60 minutes per day EVERY DAY. YIKES!!
- Only the women of normal weight (BMI<25) were able to maintain their
weight at all…subjects who approached menopause either overweight or
obese tended to continue gaining weight despite their efforts at diet
and exercise.
At first glance, these data might seem frustrating or even demoralizing
(or MOTIVATING for some of us). What is clear, however, is that
premenopausal women should strive to reach a goal of normal weight (BMI =
18.5-25) by the time of expected menopause if they are to have a fighting
chance of maintaining their healthy weight (and lean physique) going
forward. Many women in this age category need to ramp up their activity to
the recommended amount of 60 minutes a day, so that they can continue to
feel and look their best not just today, but for years to come. Remember,
health first, aesthetics second!
Thank goodness HSM offers us 60 action-packed minutes 5-6 days a week to
enjoy the journey of continued fitness together! I say, “Bring it on, Liz
and Clary!”
Yours in health,
Anne
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07/10/11
Health Tip: Delicious Bean Salad from Pamela Izard
Here is one of Pamela’s favorite summer bean recipes – healthy and
delicious – thanks Pamela!
1 can organic cannellini beans.
1 tbs finely minced red onion
1-2 cloves of garlic (depending on your taste), finely minced.
1 cup or more of organic grape tomatoes - halved.
1/4 cup fresh basil chiffonade
Toss with 1-2 tbs of olive oil. Sometimes I add 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
too.
Salt and Pepper to taste.
(***A chiffonade is rolled up leaves of basil, like a cigar, sliced cross
wise into thin ribbons. However you cut up fresh basil will be perfect!)
This is also great with 1 cup of cooked whole wheat couscous. I cook my
couscous with organic chicken broth instead of water.
Another variation: add to one cup cooked orzo, add more basil and parmesan
cheese and/or fresh mozzarella diced.
07/03/11
We love this week’s “7 Myths of Exercise” from “Healthy Bitch Daily”.
It’s
speaking our language -- Without the bad words of course!
http://www.healthybitchdaily.com/post/seven-myths-of-exercise
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*The
nutritional information contained herein is based upon information Hilliard
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for any adverse effects related to following this information.
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