Saturday, April 30, 2011

Callin' Out the Busy Bees


         This cartoon makes a great point! I know at times I feel like there are not enough hours in the day and I'm sure many people would agree that they feel busy all of the time....but why would we neglect something that we have almost total control over? By setting aside some time to be active, we are strengthening many of the complex systems in our bodies which can help us function better in our daily activities . It's all about making exercising a priority. You may have to sacrifice an hour of your beauty sleep or record your favorite T.V. show for later to make time, but I promise it is worth it! Whatever you have to do, remember that you are ultimately accountable for your health.
 "You can sleep when you're dead!"

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Start Your Day Right!

Hi everyone! First of all, sorry I haven't updated this in so long!  March was an extremely busy month for me but it's FINALLY finals week and once I am through, I will have plenty of time to share some more good stuff! :)

Topic of the Day: BREAKFAST!

Breakfast was a pretty serious thing when I was growing up. From my early, elementary school years up until the time I was ready to leave the nest, there was always a certain rule in my house that seemed a little abnormal compared to other households. My mom wouldn't let us leave for school without eating our breakfast. It didn't matter if we were running super late or if we did not want to eat whatever she made, we had to start off the day with some good food. For a long time, I found this very irritating but soon I realized it was one of the best things my mom did for my sisters and I. I didn't quite understand why she sacrificed her precious sleep to make us oatmeal, eggs, crepes, or whatever it was until I learned about the importance of breakfast.

So why shouldn't you skip the first meal of the day?
Here are a few reasons why breakfast is a must!
  • Energy
    • Eating the right foods will provide your body with the glucose and other nutrients needed to help you be as active and productive as you can be!
  • Weight Control
    • Studies show that people who eat breakfast are more successful with losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Binge Eating
    • Starving yourself until lunch or dinner can cause you to eat a lot more during these meals.
      There are a lot of other benefits from eating breakfast but the key thing to remember is that you should eat a well-balanced breakfast! Grabbing a donut or a few sausage links won't be very beneficial. Don't be fooled by the advertisements of fast food restaurants.
      560 Calories
      12 g. Saturated Fat
      1360 mg. Sodium
      Exhibit A:
      Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle
      Hmm...I don't think there is anything good about consuming that many calories and sodium in your body in one sitting. If you are on the run and need a healthier choice, try something like their Fruit and Maple Oatmeal! Are you a fan of IHOP? Try their Blueberry Harvest Grain N' Nut pancakes! TO DIE FOR! Now if you're cooking at home you have many more options. Here is a fast, nutritious meal that I love!
      Scrambled Eggs (1 whole + 1 egg white)
      Whole wheat english muffin
      Fruit of your choice
      Orange Juice
      *most brands have a lot of sugar so I buy Tropicana's Trop 50
      Be creative but try to incorporate a good amount of carbs and lean protein. Make your body happy and start off your day right!