We all love to be happy, right? Some times, when life gets crazy, stressful or unfamiliar we can lose some of that happiness. How can we get it back? How can we be happy no matter what is going on in our life? One answer is simple, exercise!
Showing posts with label benefits. Show all posts
Eating the Rainbow
July 15, 2016
Eating the rainbow is one of the best ways to make sure you are getting all the nutrients and minerals that you need for a healthy body. I am not talking about colorful candies, sugary drinks or artificial foods that might be brightly colored. I am talking about the vast variety of fruits and vegetables that come in every color in the rainbow! Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink....and every shade in between!
So we know we should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, but why? Why can't we just stick to the ones we know or are used to? Different colored food contain different nutrients. Each color has a different health benefit and to gain all the health benefits, we must eat all the colors!
Red
The color red is bright, bold and beautiful! Red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene, anthocyanin, ellagic acid, vitamin C and quercetin. These nutrients help to reduce the risk of stoke and help to reduce inflammation. They also promote heart health and help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. To gain these benefits, eat more tomatoes, red apples, strawberries, watermelon, red bell peppers and any other red fruit or vegetable you can find!
Orange and Yellow
Orange and yellow foods contain many of the same benefits because they are so close in color. These foods contain beta carotene, alpha carotene, vitamin C and A. Eating more orange and yellow fruits and vegetables helps boost antioxidant intake and promote anti-inflammation. They also promote healthy eyes and skin and help to reduce soreness after working out! To gain these benefits, eat more yellow squash, yellow and orange bell pepper, lemons, oranges, clementine, carrots and any other orange and yellow fruits and vegetables you can find!
Green
When most people think 'healthy foods' they probably think of green vegetables, and for good reason! Green fruits and vegetables are very good for us! They contain sulforaphane, magnesium, calcium, latein, potassium, vitamin K and folate. All of these things help to regulate detox of the liver, slow macular degeneration, improve eye health and reduce the risk of certain cancers like breast cancer and colon cancer. To gain these benefits, eat more lettuce, spinach, kale, herbs, zucchini, broccoli, green bell pepper and green apples.
Blue and Purple
Blue and purple fruits and vegetables are always fun, because they add a pop of color to your dish! These foods contain vitamin C, potassium and folate. They help increase antioxidant consumption and promote anti-inflammation in the heart and blood vessels. Eating blue and purple foods also helps to support the immune system and improve skin health and prevent wrinkles! To gain these health benefits, eat more eggplant, blueberries, blackberries, plums, red cabbage and red onion!
White
Yes, we are going to go over white or colorless foods too! These foods might not be as colorful, but they still pack a punch full of health benefits! They contain vitamin C, allium, sulforaphane, and flavonoids. These things help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and several types of cancers. They also support health bones, a healthy immune system and help to lower cholesterol levels! To gain these health benefits, eat more garlic, white onions, mushrooms, potatoes, cauliflower, and white carrots!
Eating the rainbow allows us to gain all the health benefits of each color! Maybe you haven't tried a lot of different types of fruits and vegetables, but expanding your palate will not only expand your culinary horizons, but its good for your health too! Set a goal to try one new fruit or vegetable in a different color each week! You'll find new favorites and discover so many new flavors!
I hope this blog post is helpful to you as you journey to become a healthier version of yourself! If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and family to help them live healthier too!
You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinacisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett and on Instagram @ That_Vegan_Runner. Follow on social media for even more Spinach Is Good For You content!
I post every Friday!
Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!
H. Banana
So we know we should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, but why? Why can't we just stick to the ones we know or are used to? Different colored food contain different nutrients. Each color has a different health benefit and to gain all the health benefits, we must eat all the colors!
Red
The color red is bright, bold and beautiful! Red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene, anthocyanin, ellagic acid, vitamin C and quercetin. These nutrients help to reduce the risk of stoke and help to reduce inflammation. They also promote heart health and help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. To gain these benefits, eat more tomatoes, red apples, strawberries, watermelon, red bell peppers and any other red fruit or vegetable you can find!
Orange and Yellow
Orange and yellow foods contain many of the same benefits because they are so close in color. These foods contain beta carotene, alpha carotene, vitamin C and A. Eating more orange and yellow fruits and vegetables helps boost antioxidant intake and promote anti-inflammation. They also promote healthy eyes and skin and help to reduce soreness after working out! To gain these benefits, eat more yellow squash, yellow and orange bell pepper, lemons, oranges, clementine, carrots and any other orange and yellow fruits and vegetables you can find!
Green
When most people think 'healthy foods' they probably think of green vegetables, and for good reason! Green fruits and vegetables are very good for us! They contain sulforaphane, magnesium, calcium, latein, potassium, vitamin K and folate. All of these things help to regulate detox of the liver, slow macular degeneration, improve eye health and reduce the risk of certain cancers like breast cancer and colon cancer. To gain these benefits, eat more lettuce, spinach, kale, herbs, zucchini, broccoli, green bell pepper and green apples.
Blue and Purple
Blue and purple fruits and vegetables are always fun, because they add a pop of color to your dish! These foods contain vitamin C, potassium and folate. They help increase antioxidant consumption and promote anti-inflammation in the heart and blood vessels. Eating blue and purple foods also helps to support the immune system and improve skin health and prevent wrinkles! To gain these health benefits, eat more eggplant, blueberries, blackberries, plums, red cabbage and red onion!
White
Yes, we are going to go over white or colorless foods too! These foods might not be as colorful, but they still pack a punch full of health benefits! They contain vitamin C, allium, sulforaphane, and flavonoids. These things help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and several types of cancers. They also support health bones, a healthy immune system and help to lower cholesterol levels! To gain these health benefits, eat more garlic, white onions, mushrooms, potatoes, cauliflower, and white carrots!
Eating the rainbow allows us to gain all the health benefits of each color! Maybe you haven't tried a lot of different types of fruits and vegetables, but expanding your palate will not only expand your culinary horizons, but its good for your health too! Set a goal to try one new fruit or vegetable in a different color each week! You'll find new favorites and discover so many new flavors!
I hope this blog post is helpful to you as you journey to become a healthier version of yourself! If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and family to help them live healthier too!
You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinacisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett and on Instagram @ That_Vegan_Runner. Follow on social media for even more Spinach Is Good For You content!
I post every Friday!
Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!
H. Banana
Flower Power!
October 2, 2015
Why am I blogging about flowers when its basically Fall already? Well, I have been in a bit of a flower-obsession lately(which is odd because I am loving Fall right now too!) In my searching around about flower-facts and flower types, I discovered, this great Flower Delivery service! They have such beautiful flowers, flower pictures and so much more! They really inspired me to write this post!
You might only think of flowers as decorations, gifts, plants, or landscaping, but there is so much more to them than that! Here are a few ways you can use flowers in your diet, home, and life!
Tea Time!
Many flowers can be found in teas! They are great for added health benefits, taste, and even smell. They are often dried, and mixed into tea blend or used on their own for great tasting teas! A few of the more common ones include; Rose, which can relive stomach aches and help in blood circulation, Jasmine, which can help to reduce stress and aid in digestion, Apple Flower, which can help to aid in digestion and improve your complexion, Lavender, which is calming and can aid in relieving stomach and head aches, and Honeysuckle, which can help relive a sore throat and other flu symptoms. My personal favorite flower teas, are those than have lavender, rose, and jasmine in them, simply because I love how they taste!
Food Garnishes
Flowers make great garnishes for things like cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, tarts, and more! You can of course use just about any flower you want to, but its best to use the edible ones! Roses, Thyme, Impatients, Squash Blossoms, Dandelions, Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Chive Blossoms, Apple Blossoms, and Pansies are all examples of the many edible flowers that are great to use as garnishes for your food!
Flowers in Food?!
You can garnish food with flowers, but can you really cook and bake with them too? Yes, you can! And they really are great too! Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms, Lavender shortbread cookies, Honey Suckle jelly, fried Squash Blossoms, Dandelion fritters, Nasturtium Butter, and Hibiscus macaroons are just a few examples of some recipes that feature some amazing flowers!
For Your Skin
Flowers can have such great benefits for your skin. They are most commonly used in scrubs, bath salts, bath bombs, soaps, and cleansers. Dried lavender buds make a great addition to bath salts and scrubs, because they give a lovely aroma, calming effect and helps with dry skin. Rose Petals also do well in scrubs and bath salts and, like lavender, they smell amazing, and they help with sun damage. Echinacea can be added to skin products to help with swelling and infections. Calendula will add a brilliant color to your bath salts, scrubs and bombs, and is also will help with many skin complaints and has a soothing effect. You can find many flowers in store bought products as well, but if you can, try adding them to your home made skin products and see what you think!
Gifts
Sometimes, flowers can be the very best thing to give to someone as a gift. For people who don't need anything, or you don't know what to give to them, flowers are almost always a great choice! Bouquets of roses for your special someone on Valentine's Day, a bunch of Daises make a great 'just because' gift, Sunflowers, Lilies, Tulips, and Zinnias are nice, bright flowers that are great to brighten up a hospital room or cheer a sick person up! Mixed varieties are great birthday gifts too! Personalizing a bouquet for someone you care about is a great way to make them feel special!
Decorations
Flowers are so beautiful, cheerful, and lively, that they make great decorations, center pieces, and additions for parties, tables, your house, or garden! Just about any flower can be used to add color, life, and beauty to where ever you chose to put them! I love to use wild flowers in a simple vase for a casual center piece on our table. We usually plant Zinnias in our garden because they are easy to grow, pick, and use as gifts! Flowers used in weddings, tea parties, dinner parties, wreaths, center pieces, vases, or gardens always make a statement!
You can grow your own flowers, buy them from stores or nurseries, get them from places like flower delivery services , or get them from friends, but however you get them, you now know how to use them in so many cool ways!
My Thoughts
How do I use flowers? Well, I am always learning, and I want to try baking and cooking with them soon! I usually use flowers in teas, bath products, gifts, and home decorations! Have any tips for me on how to be more creative with flowers? Let me know!
If you like this post, please share it with your friends and family! You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, on Tumblr @ justrunningforfood , and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.
I have a new post every Friday, so sign up by email so you never miss a post!
Keep Healthy, Happy, and Safe!
H. Banana
The Benefits of Gardening
May 11, 2015
'To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow' - Audrey Hepburn
We've almost always had a garden, as long as I can remember. When I was little, like most kids I think, I didn't like the garden because I wasn't given the most glorious job. Along with my siblings, I often had to pull the weeds from around the plants. But, after it was all said and done, we had fresh veggies all summer long, whenever we wanted! That was so worth it!
Now that I am a bit older, I enjoy gardening a lot more! I like to till the ground and plant the seeds, water them, and days later, see the tiny green plants begin to grow! Weeding still isn't my favorite, but as long as we stay on top of them, they never get too bad!
Gardening isn't just great to have fresh veggies during the summer, but it has so many other benefits!
Gardening Workout:
You probably will work up a sweat if you stay out in the garden long enough! There is a lot of moving around in gardening, and you better believe you can burns some serious calories! I found a great website, Fitness Blender , that gives a rough idea of the calories burned per hour of garden work!
Weight in lbs --------> Calories burnt gardening
90 ---------------------------------------> 195
100 --------------------------------------> 217
110 --------------------------------------> 240
120 --------------------------------------> 257
130 --------------------------------------> 284
140 --------------------------------------> 305
150 --------------------------------------> 326
160 --------------------------------------> 347
170 --------------------------------------> 364
180 --------------------------------------> 393
190 --------------------------------------> 412
200 --------------------------------------> 437
210 --------------------------------------> 453
220 --------------------------------------> 478
240 --------------------------------------> 519
260 --------------------------------------> 568
280 --------------------------------------> 611
So, yeah, gardening totally counts as a workout in my opinion!
Work Those Muscles!
So, if gardening can be your workout, how do you know which muscles you are working? Is gardening an arm workout, legs, abs, chest...? Well, actually, it can be a full body workout! Using a hoe or hand plow to till the earth works your arms and chest area, bending over or squatting to plant seeds or pull the weeds works your thighs, calves, and hips, and carrying garden equipment, pulling tough weeds, and picking veggies works your back and arms! So, not only are you burning calories while gardening, you are working your muscles as well!
Soak up the Sun!:
Gardening is mostly done outside, in the sunshine! This gives your body a great chance to soak up some Vitamin D! Why do you need Vitamin D? Well, there is a long list of the many benefits of Vitamin D, and I can't fit them all in a post, but here are a few of them! Vitamin D helps to fight infection, boost the immune system, and reduce high blood pressure. Also, it can help to improve bone health, increase energy levels and aid in relieving depression! Being out in the sun is beneficial to your body's health, but all in moderation! You don't want to spend too much time outside in the sun, especially if you aren't wearing sunscreen. Make sure to apply sunscreen several times if you are outside for a long time or swimming!
Gardening is a great way to get the necessary amount of Vitamin D, plus, you can get a great tan!
Gardening is the new Yoga:
Maybe the idea of spending hours toiling in the dirt under the hot sun doesn't sound relaxing to you. But there is just something about planting and caring for the little seeds that can be so calming and relaxing! Going out to the garden to find your plants have grown, veggies to pick, or to water your plants can, and will, become your favorite part of the day! Spending time in your garden is a great time to just think, breath, calm down, and have a little time to chill! I know for myself that, after a hour or so out in the garden, watering, soaking up the sun, or picking herbs or veggies, I am much calmer and my thoughts are clearer! I encourage anyone and everyone to take plant a garden, because after all, "Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes!"
Garden to Table:
So the obvious benefit of a garden is the fresh veggies you can have anytime during the growing months. That's mainly why people garden, to have vegetables in their back yard! Its so nice to go outside and pick lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers and so on, to make that night's supper! As a self-proclaimed budding chef, this is even more exciting! Fresh vegetables and herbs yield so much more flavors and freshness to a dish! Homegrown fruit, herbs and vegetables taste and often look so much better than store bought! You won't want to go back to store bought!
Decorations and Gifts:
Gardening doesn't have to involve tomatoes, cucumbers and squash! You can grow flowers and herbs to use in home decorations or gifts! And, if you dry the flowers and herbs, you can keep them into the winter months! I love to have flowers planted in the garden because they look so beautiful and herbs aren't just great to cook or bake with, but they can be added to flower bouquets as well! My little sisters often take flower bouquets from our garden to our friends or family when we visit them! It makes for a lovely, thoughtful, gift!
Gardening is beneficial on so many levels! From staying active and getting exercise, having calm 'me time', getting nutrients and having fresh veggies, there is something in gardening for just about every one! If you have never grown a garden before, I encourage you to plant a few plants and discover the wonders of gardening for yourself!
If you liked this post, please share it with a friend! Make sure to check back for more post on all things healthy lifestyle!
Follow the blog on Twitter @ SpinachisGood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.
Keep Healthy and Safe!
H. Banana
Gardening isn't just great to have fresh veggies during the summer, but it has so many other benefits!
Gardening Workout:
You probably will work up a sweat if you stay out in the garden long enough! There is a lot of moving around in gardening, and you better believe you can burns some serious calories! I found a great website, Fitness Blender , that gives a rough idea of the calories burned per hour of garden work!
Weight in lbs --------> Calories burnt gardening
90 ---------------------------------------> 195
100 --------------------------------------> 217
110 --------------------------------------> 240
120 --------------------------------------> 257
130 --------------------------------------> 284
140 --------------------------------------> 305
150 --------------------------------------> 326
160 --------------------------------------> 347
170 --------------------------------------> 364
180 --------------------------------------> 393
190 --------------------------------------> 412
200 --------------------------------------> 437
210 --------------------------------------> 453
220 --------------------------------------> 478
240 --------------------------------------> 519
260 --------------------------------------> 568
280 --------------------------------------> 611
So, yeah, gardening totally counts as a workout in my opinion!
Work Those Muscles!
So, if gardening can be your workout, how do you know which muscles you are working? Is gardening an arm workout, legs, abs, chest...? Well, actually, it can be a full body workout! Using a hoe or hand plow to till the earth works your arms and chest area, bending over or squatting to plant seeds or pull the weeds works your thighs, calves, and hips, and carrying garden equipment, pulling tough weeds, and picking veggies works your back and arms! So, not only are you burning calories while gardening, you are working your muscles as well!
Soak up the Sun!:
Gardening is mostly done outside, in the sunshine! This gives your body a great chance to soak up some Vitamin D! Why do you need Vitamin D? Well, there is a long list of the many benefits of Vitamin D, and I can't fit them all in a post, but here are a few of them! Vitamin D helps to fight infection, boost the immune system, and reduce high blood pressure. Also, it can help to improve bone health, increase energy levels and aid in relieving depression! Being out in the sun is beneficial to your body's health, but all in moderation! You don't want to spend too much time outside in the sun, especially if you aren't wearing sunscreen. Make sure to apply sunscreen several times if you are outside for a long time or swimming!
Gardening is a great way to get the necessary amount of Vitamin D, plus, you can get a great tan!
Gardening is the new Yoga:
Maybe the idea of spending hours toiling in the dirt under the hot sun doesn't sound relaxing to you. But there is just something about planting and caring for the little seeds that can be so calming and relaxing! Going out to the garden to find your plants have grown, veggies to pick, or to water your plants can, and will, become your favorite part of the day! Spending time in your garden is a great time to just think, breath, calm down, and have a little time to chill! I know for myself that, after a hour or so out in the garden, watering, soaking up the sun, or picking herbs or veggies, I am much calmer and my thoughts are clearer! I encourage anyone and everyone to take plant a garden, because after all, "Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes!"
Garden to Table:
So the obvious benefit of a garden is the fresh veggies you can have anytime during the growing months. That's mainly why people garden, to have vegetables in their back yard! Its so nice to go outside and pick lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers and so on, to make that night's supper! As a self-proclaimed budding chef, this is even more exciting! Fresh vegetables and herbs yield so much more flavors and freshness to a dish! Homegrown fruit, herbs and vegetables taste and often look so much better than store bought! You won't want to go back to store bought!
Gardening doesn't have to involve tomatoes, cucumbers and squash! You can grow flowers and herbs to use in home decorations or gifts! And, if you dry the flowers and herbs, you can keep them into the winter months! I love to have flowers planted in the garden because they look so beautiful and herbs aren't just great to cook or bake with, but they can be added to flower bouquets as well! My little sisters often take flower bouquets from our garden to our friends or family when we visit them! It makes for a lovely, thoughtful, gift!
Gardening is beneficial on so many levels! From staying active and getting exercise, having calm 'me time', getting nutrients and having fresh veggies, there is something in gardening for just about every one! If you have never grown a garden before, I encourage you to plant a few plants and discover the wonders of gardening for yourself!
If you liked this post, please share it with a friend! Make sure to check back for more post on all things healthy lifestyle!
Follow the blog on Twitter @ SpinachisGood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.
Keep Healthy and Safe!
H. Banana
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
