Healthy Easter Recipes

Posted on 29 March, 2013 by activeforever

It’s Easter!

But you can (and should) still be healthy. What will you have for brunch?

We present you with an aggregate of healthy recipes that should satisfy even the pickiest of palates without being too savory. In other words, you can enjoy your holiday and you won’t be mad at yourself in the morning.

Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Herbs
Mint-Pesto Rubbed Leg of Lamb
Roasted Rhubarb Salad
Spring Veggie Frittata
Grilled Salmon with Mustard & Herbs
Parsley Smashed New Potatoes
Cinnamon Spiced Baked Eggs (*this one was our fave)

The Skinny on the Oil-heavy, Mediterranean Diet

Posted on 26 February, 2013 by activeforever

Image courtesy of dusky at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There’s been a great deal of buzz lately about the Mediterranean diet as a heart healthy diet, but is there any substance behind the rumors? Author of “Eat to Live” and board certified family physician specializing in nutritional medicine, Joel Fuhrman, MD, thinks not.

Dr. Fuhrman is known to credit the observed benefits of the Mediterranean diet, not to the olive oil, but rather in spite of it, and instead notes the abundance of fruit, fish, beans, tomato sauce, salads, etc.,

Fat is fat is fat when it comes to losing weight. Weight loss is one of the greatest things a person can do for their heart and their health. While good fats like salmon, eggs and seeds do have significant health benefits, even they need to be used sparingly by those who are determined to shed extra bulk.

Any way you slice it, oil is pure, 100 percent fat. When a person is trying to lose weight, especially a person that is middle-age or older, that is simply too much.

Image courtesy of m_bartosch at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Dr. Fuhrman’s daughter, Talia Fuhrman, an accomplished nutritionist in her own right, weighs in on the subject of the ominous oil:

“Some have proposed that extra virgin olive oil is heart healthy because it is rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols have antioxidant characteristics and studies show that they reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, all plant foods are rich in polyphenols and most deliver much more polyphenols (and far fewer calories) than olive oil.”

Then of course, there’s exercise. (It’s not called cardio for nothing after all.) Regular exercise is one of the best things a person can do to reduce cholesterol and improve heart health. It doesn’t have to be vigorous either:

The AgSilver CleanMat Hot Yoga Mat, regularly $30.01 is now available for just $19.99. (60% off!)

“Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise on most — if not all — days. Studies show that yoga and tai chi, an ancient Chinese exercise involving slow, relaxing movements, may lower blood pressure almost as well as moderate-intensity aerobic exercises.” Source: University of Maryland Medical Center

Heart Smart Salmon: More Spice, Less Fat.

Posted on 22 February, 2013 by activeforever

Chef David Kamen shows you how to fight obesity, cancer and heart disease with the help of a healthy diet. The key to eating heart-smart is to learn to add flavor to healthy foods without the addition of bad fat or salt. Salmon, however is bursting with the healthy, unsaturated fat and Omega-3′s that the body needs to function properly.

Unsaturated fats come mostly from plant sources and are liquid at room temperature. They can be either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Foods high in monounsaturated fat include avocados, olives, peanuts, as well as canola, olive, almond, hazelnut, and peanut oils.

Foods high in polyunsaturated fat include fatty fish, nuts and vegetable oils such as safflower and sunflower. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are found in certain cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, sardines, and lake trout. Omega-3′s may help prevent heart disease because they lower triglycerides and reduce blood clotting. They may also lower blood pressure and prevent arrhythmia.

Some healthy herbs, spices and seasonings that are great for giving salmon and other healthy dishes an extra kick are basil, oregano, cayenne pepper, chili, garlic and ginger. In this video, Chef Kamen prepares Asian-Style Steamed Salmon in: “Cooking with herbs, spices and other seasonings!”

Source: The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Visit their recipe section for more great meal ideas.

Or try this alternative Asian-Style Steamed Salmon recipe from Ricardocuisine.com Image source: ricardocuisine.com

Enjoy!

Getting a healthy jump start on matters of the heart

Posted on 31 January, 2013 by activeforever

Well it’s not quite February yet, but we thought we’d get ahead of the curve and begin posting about Heart Health today!

Why? Well we just ran across this interesting article in the BBC today: Vegetarians ‘cut heart risk by 32%’. The piece outlines findings from a recent study which illustrates the role that Vegetarianism can play in promoting a stronger ticker.

It reads in part:

A study of 44,500 people in England and Scotland showed vegetarians were 32% less likely to die or need hospital treatment as a result of heart disease.

Differences in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body weight are thought to be behind the health boost.

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Heart disease is a major blight in Western countries. It kills 94,000 people in the UK each year – more than any other disease, and 2.6 million people live with the condition.

The heart’s own blood supply becomes blocked up by fatty deposits in the arteries that nourish the heart muscle. It can cause angina or even lead to a heart attack if the blood vessels become completely blocked.

Dr Francesca Crowe said: “The main message is that diet is an important determinant of heart health, I’m not advocating that everyone eats a vegetarian diet.”

The results showed the vegetarians had lower blood pressure, lower levels of “bad” cholesterol and were more likely to have a healthy weight.

Tracy Parker, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “But remember, choosing the veggie option on the menu is not a shortcut to a healthy heart. After all, there are still plenty of foods suitable for vegetarians that are high in saturated fat and salt.”

The study was originally published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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Putting “wellness” through the wringer

Posted on 24 January, 2013 by activeforever

“Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well.”

According to those who keep track of such things, this idea–which is true even today–was expressed long ago by a Latin poet named Marcus Valerius Martial. He was born March 1, 40 and died between 102 and 104 AD.

A bust of Martial -Wikipedia

What do you think Martial was referring to exactly? What does it mean to be “well” or to have “wellness” in your life? It’s a bit of a nebulous idea, is it not? It’s one of those situations where it’s not so easy to describe, but very easy to know when you’ve got it… and when you don’t.

We believe Martial’s use of the all-encompassing “well” runs parallel with our belief in the importance of holistic, comprehensive methods of health care.

We prefer it when a physician takes a complete snapshot of their patient. He/she should ask a broad spectrum of questions and take at least the larger aspects of their patients’ lives into consideration before making a diagnosis.

At ActiveForever we apply this philosophy to our own everyday operations; from our relationships with our loyal customers to the range of different products we carry.

After all, people are puzzles. If just a single piece is missing or out of place, the whole picture is askew.

People are also unique. What makes one person tick can absolutely sink another, and so on. We can’t help but believe it’s wise to view the art of healing through a wide lens.

Do you agree?

Click to learn about family fitness. Image courtesy of federico stevanin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Health advice, the flu & chicken soup recipes

Posted on 22 January, 2013 by activeforever

The Huffington Post’s Healthy Living section is like a bright beacon of hope today.

For what it’s worth, they’ve posted an optimistic article suggesting ways in which one might avoid catching the flu from an infected person they are attempting to nurse back to health. Now, I am a huge fan of science fiction, but this article suggests the existence of something I’ve never been so bold as to consider a possibility. Once I hear whisper of infection amongst my inner circle, I consider it a miracle bolstered by the strength of my sheer will if I don’t contract whatever nastiness is swirling about.

Don’t get too close!! We kid. Look at that little face. Awww
Credit: Huffington Post/Alamy

But when it comes to actually being there, caring for an ill unfortunate, I figure I might as well just crawl in bed alongside them… (as long as we have equal rights to the remote of course.) After all, why fight it? It’s only a matter of time, let’s be honest.

This article takes a different approach altogether. It advises against getting a last-minute flu shot since immunization takes a few weeks to kick in. It also mentions maintaining a distance of 6 feet from said sick person. I personally don’t see how this would work, but it’s something to shoot for. The bottom line I guess being, don’t crawl into bed with them.

For those who do succumb to the failings of their immune system, we offer a few tidbits:

Treatments:

That which we call the “flu” is generally treated by addressing its symptoms. Rest and plenty of fluids are top priorities. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin can help reduce fever and aches. However, recent studies have shown that people who used these medications suffered from flu symptoms several days longer than those brave souls who endured the virus gauntlet un-medicated.

That looks delish. Click on the big chunk of chicken for 25 different chicken soup recipes from cookinglight.com! You’re welcome.
Credit: Cooking Light

Perhaps the thing to remember is the fact that your body heals by cleansing itself of toxins. The same applies to viruses. The ultimate goal is to help your body flush out the virus. Medication, while it may be momentarily soothing, is just another toxin that requires flushing… thereby inhibiting the body’s ability to focus on eradicating illness. This is also why it is wise to stick to very light or liquid foods such as broth and chicken soup. Heavier foods force your body to work on digestion, rather than fighting the infection. And you know it’s true because it (pretty much) rhymes. We kid. It really is true, regardless of how you choose to say it.

Of course, aspirin (and aspirin-containing products) should never be given to children who are 17 years or younger with the flu as this may cause a rare but serious disease called Reye’s Syndrome.

It’s also good to keep in mind the possible side effects in regards to ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen, which include stomach upset and allergic reactions.

There are also some FDA approved prescription medications available. They can result in some particularly unpalatable side effects, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Some may even cause nausea and vomiting.

Which, if you ask us, defeats the purpose entirely.

Look, it will (or should) be over in 7 to 10 days.

Drink water. Eat broth. Rest.

And next year, get a flu shot.

Resolution and Weight/Weight Loss Revelations

Posted on 4 January, 2013 by activeforever

Let’s face it. These days, weight loss tops the list of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions. Of course many also hope to get a new job, better education, etc., However it seems that all but the conviction to shed a problematic fat suit is engulfed in the wake of the post-holiday surrender to reality.

Not that we are lazy or that we give up easily, it’s just that continuing on with the same job or level of education does not increase our risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, along with a whole host of serious health issues that are part of and parcel of being—and staying— overweight. (In other words, your physician will not peer at you from behind a furrowed brow of concern in response to your modest salary.)

Many of us view the debut of a new year as a solid, tangible break from the past that translates into a “break” from our old, unhealthy habits. It’s a whole new paradigm; another chance.

As we should. Depending on your disposition, you can either view the American obesity epidemic as discouraging or an opportunity for growth; *not* in the physical sense of course.

Percentages of Overweight Americans Ages 20+

More than two-thirds (68.8 percent) of adults are considered to be overweight or obese.
More than one-third (35.7 percent) of adults are considered to be obese.
More than 1 in 20 (6.3 percent) have extreme obesity.
Almost 3 in 4 men (74 percent) are considered to be overweight or obese.
The prevalence of obesity is similar for both men and women (about 36 percent).
About 8 percent of women are considered to have extreme obesity.

Source: Weight-control Information Network

Yesterday we wrote about some healthy weight findings that we found to be a little unorthodox: A recent study claims that those who carry a few extra pounds around have a lower risk of premature death than that of their healthy weight counterparts. The article does not address obesity however. A person is obese when their BMI (body mass index) is 30 percent or above.

This is a different story. An article in USA Today “weighs” in on the topic with the help of a few reputable physicians. The piece is a fitting follow-up to yesterday’s post. Plus it includes links to diet and exercise tips and information on how to lose weight by forming healthier habits.

Need help sticking to your resolutions? We do too!

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