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How to Lighten Up the Festival of Lights
Tweet Share on Facebook December 7, 2012 CommentThe story of Chanukah describes how only one day's worth of oil, used to light the candelabra in the ancient Jewish Temple, miraculously burned for eight days. (For a bit more background, the Temple had been ransacked by the Greeks, who had tried to conquer Israel; the Maccabees, the Jewish army that successfully revolted against the Greeks, returned to the Temple and lit the lamp, or menorah, with the oil they found.)
Considering the cooking practices of today's chefs, it truly would be a miracle to make that amount of oil last so long! In fact, although it wears a heart-healthy halo, oil is highly caloric, and most people don't realize that they could be carrying extra pounds because of the quantity of oil they consume. It's hard to believe that one cup of oil (even clear, extra virgin olive oil) contains about 2,000 calories!
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How to Eat for Your Age, Part 2
Tweet Share on Facebook December 6, 2012 CommentFood shopping can feel like an overwhelming experience at any age. And if you're like most people, you probably spend more time thinking about what goes on your body (like clothes and shoes) than what goes in it (like food).
In my last blog post , we covered what the supermarket has to offer kids, teens and 20-somethings. As we move on in years, we may need to move down the aisles a little differently. Today we're highlighting the needs of those in their 30s and beyond. Read on to find what resonates for you:
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How to Help Your Spouse Lose Weight
Tweet Share on Facebook December 6, 2012 CommentAs the New Year approaches, you may be starting to think about the weight you want to lose. But maybe dropping pounds isn't on your list of resolutions—instead, it's on your spouse's. Maybe this is the first time your husband or wife has decided to lose weight, or perhaps it's a road all too familiar. In any event, as a caring spouse, you need to find a way to be supportive, so the weight battle doesn't become a family battle.
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Holiday Shopping Sans Cinnabon
Tweet Share on Facebook December 5, 2012 CommentIf you've temporarily traded in your gym shoes for shopping shoes, you're not alone. You may not get your heart pumping like you would in a spin class, but there's a silver lining to all that holiday shopping: An hour of walking around stores can burn as much as 275 calories for a person weighing 145 pounds.
In other words, they say "shop 'til you drop" for a reason. But dropping anywhere near the food court can spell trouble for your waistline. Endless samples and fast-food chains leave few healthy options. However, your secret shopping weapon is as far away as your purse. Toss in a few snacks for a "holiday shopping survival pack" that will keep you nourished on the run. And keep these tips in mind to avoid an eating disaster amid your holiday shopping:
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Active Video Gaming: No Substitute for Real Exercise
Tweet Share on Facebook December 5, 2012 CommentMany parents hold out hope that active video games, or "exergames," will increase their children's activity levels—that, in a sense, these forms of entertainment will sneak exercise into their children's lives by masquerading as video games.
Well, I've got bad news for you. So-called exergames pack much more "game" than they do "exercise."
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Consider the Cupcake: A Barometer of American Taste
Tweet Share on Facebook December 4, 2012 CommentFor someone who can't eat gluten, I've spent a great deal of time pondering the cupcake.
Recently, I ordered several dozen mini cupcakes to celebrate my kids' upcoming birthday. Yes, that's right. The dietitian mother who begrudged her children—and yours—Halloween candy this year will be doling out mini cupcakes to a dozen toddlers and their parents later this month.
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Dreaming of Your Spring Garden? Get Started Now
Tweet Share on Facebook December 3, 2012 CommentWinter weather and a bit too much time inside may have you staring out the office window, dreaming of starting your spring garden. I know how you feel!
I have actually found that now is the perfect time to do the necessary research and planning so that you'll have the all right ingredients for growing healthy food.
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Is Dairy Healthy or Not?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 30, 2012 CommentFew nutrition topics are in a more constant state of froth than the place of dairy in a healthful diet. And that's really saying something, because nutrition topics in general are pretty frothy.
I have made my case now, more than once, that despite our decidedly imperfect knowledge of nutrition, we do have actual knowledge of nutrition—and that it is the basis for opinions worth sharing. Knowledge and expertise should be the basis of widely disseminated opinions about nutrition, just as they are the basis for such opinions in engineering, architecture, and rocket science.
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Exercise for the Right Reasons
Tweet Share on Facebook November 30, 2012 CommentWhen most people set out to get some exercise, it's for one reason: to look better. Whether our end goal is weight loss, toning up, or building muscle, we tend to be motivated to exercise by external benefits. However, recent research on willpower hints that this external focus may be counterproductive to our overall success.
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Are All Nut Butters Created Equal?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 29, 2012 CommentWhen I was growing up, peanut butter seemed to be the only option as far as nut butters went. I also remember my mother buying the natural type long before I was ready to give up my conventional brand. Boy, how times have changed. Today, there are so many options available: from almond to cashew butter; creamy to crunchy; organic to conventional. How can consumers know they are making the best choice when they hit the supermarket?
Below is a comparison of various nut butters, with no salt added. I am including sunflower butter even though technically it is made from a seed. One serving—2 tablespoons—of each packs:
