5 Life Changing Podcasts

     A couple of weeks ago, I suddenly found myself with a running injury! I don't know how it happened, or even if it was related to running at all, but it was there and pretty painful. Dealing with an injury was the last thing I wanted to do! I had just started some speed-training to get faster times on short distances, and here I was with an injury! Of course, its not uncommon for runners to get injuries, I just didn't think it would happen to me so early in my running career. I saw a chiropractor and he was able to help some, but I soon realized I was just going to have to give it time to heal on its own. So, since I wouldn't run, and I still wanted to get some exercise, what was I to do? Thankfully, my Dad had set up an elliptical in our garage, so I began to use that for my workouts. It wasn't the same as running, but it kept me active and it was easy on my injured leg.

     So, what is my point in telling you all this? I am telling you this because it has lead me to discover something wonderful! Something I had heard about, but never saw myself getting into. Let me explain.... When I run, I usually find a something to watch like a cooking show, documentary or something like that. But, on the elliptical, to know where I was calorie and heart-rate wise, I needed to look at my phone screen, so I couldn't watch anything. I had to listen to something. Music worked sometimes, but I wanted something that would get my mind off the workout. And that lead me to......PODCASTS!

     Podcast are basically a recording of someone talking about something. Topics range from health and wellness to comedy and cooking shows. What ever interests you, you will find at least one podcast on it! They are easy to listen to, and for me, they were perfect for workouts!
Even though I have only been listening to podcasts for a few weeks, I have already found some favorites! I want to share those with you today!

#1 The Raw Food Podcast by The Rawtarian
Don't let the name fool you or turn you away! Yes, this is a podcast about veganism and raw foodism, but thats not all. What I love so much about this podcast is how motivational, inspirational and just pleasant it is to listen to. Not only are there episodes on veganism and raw foods, there are also episodes on basic health, nutrition information, and also some recipes too! Vegan or not, Raw Foodist or not, I encourge you to check this one out! The Rawtarian .

#2 The Running Lifestyle Show
So this one might not have been the best thing to get my mind off the fact that I couldn't run, but I love it anyways! The episodes are full of helpful information, motivation for all runners, both beginner and long-time runners! There are lots of interveiws with various differnt types of people from doctors, race directors, other runners, and a few others! If you are a runner or you are thinking about running, this is a must listen to podcast! And even if you don't run, its still a great podcast to listen to for health and wellness information and inspiration! The Running Lifestyle

#3 Food for Thought
This is another vegan podcast, but that doesn't mean nonvegans won't benefit from listening to it. It is full of tips and tricks on how to live a healthier and happier life! There are episodes with interveiws, tips and tricks, traveling, and so much more! The host is also very easy to listen to, and is in no way judgemental! This podcast is all about healty living, no matter how you want to do it! Food for Thought Podcast

#4 The Good Life Project
This podcast is so uplifting and inspirational! It is all about living a better, happier and more productive life! There are episodes full of helpful tips, inspriration stories, and just plain motivaton! If you are in need of some inspritaion or motivation, look no further! Where ever you are in life, this is a podcast you don't want to be with out! The Good Life Project.

#5 The Daily Boost
This  one is alot like the Good Life Project, becasue it is all about happiness, positivity, and life boosting! They are shorter episodes, so easier for those that don't have alot of time! Each episode is full of motivation and helpful tips to make your life happier, more productive, and just over all better! Every one has 10 or 15 minutes to listen to one of these episodes, and their life will be better for it! Daily Boost Podcast

So, those are just 5 of the thousands of podcasts out there for you to discover! I hope you check out the ones I have shared, but also find your own favorite podcasts! There are so many topics to choose from! From crafts, cooking and comedy to classes on anything, there is something for everyone!

I listen to podcasts through the Podcast app on my Iphone, but most podcasts will have a website with there episodes linked there as well!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post today! If you enjoyed it or found it helpful, please share it with your friends and family!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningonfood, and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunket.

I post every Friday!

Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!

H. Banana

Cancer Prevention

    Cancer is scary, I think we can all agree on that. Sadly though, more and more people have their lives totally changed every day because of cancer affecting them or their loved ones. No one whats to go through cancer treatmeants or see their friends and family do so. If that is true, and for the most part it is, why aren't more people doing everything they can to prevent it? If you knew you could help prevent yourself and your friends and family from being effected by cancer, wouldn't you want to do everything you could? Of course you would! So why not start today?

Your Diet Matters

Like many diseases and health issues, your diet plays a big role. A healthy diet can be your shield against so many illnesses, including many types of cancer. But an unhealthy diet can be just as harmful as a healthy diet is helpful! Here are a few foods that aid in cancer prevention!

Garlic helps to slow the growth of tumor cells because of the allyl sulphur compounds they contain.
Broccoli is helpful in cancer prevention because of the high concentration of antioxidants, fiber and flavanoids!
Brazilian Nuts, if eaten daily, can be benefitial and healthy for the body as a whole! Overall body health is a great way to prevent cancer!
Mushrooms are great for boosting your immune system and helping your body fight against cancer! !
Artichokes contain an antioxidant called silymarin, which helps to prevent epidermis cancer.

Just like some foods are helpful in cancer prevention, there are other foods that aren't. To have the healthiest, cancer prevention diet, stay away from GMOs, Processed Meats, Hydrogenated Oils, Refined Sugars and Flours, Canned Goods, and Highly Processed Foods. Its sad to think that 5% of cancer diagnoses are realted to poor diet! Do what you can today to make sure your diet is a healthy one!

Stay Active

Just like your diet is important, so is your daily activity level. Getting at least 30 minutes of light exercise every day can be so helpful in cancer prevention! It keeps your body healthy in so many ways that it isn't something you should over look! 5% of cancer diagnoses are due to the lack of physical activity! Don't let your lack of exercise keep your from living a long healthy life!

Your Enviroment

Having a clean enviroment is key in cancer prevention. Make sure you aren't using products with tons of chemicals to clean your home. A lot of air-fresheners, furniture cleaners, and basic house-hold cleaners are full of harmful chemicals that do nothing to help promote a healthy enviroment! Go for a natural choice instead! Choose a natural cleaner brand or even make your own cleaners and air-fresheners with basic, healthier ingredients!

Obviously there is alot more to Cancer prevention than I can pack into one post, so I encourge you to do your own research to find more ways to help prevent cancer in your life and the lives of the ones you love!

In searching for articals to read for this post, I found a very helpful one from the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cancer Center. Their focus is on Mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer caused by asbestos. I wanted to share a graphic from their website that I found helpful and I hope you do as well!

 

 

If you want more information about Mesothelioma, please visit the website linked above!

I know this is a very large topic and could never do it justice, but I hope I given you a few tips and tricks that will help you add cancer prevention to your life!

Cancer has affected and changed too many people's lives! Do what you can today to prevent cancer in your life and the lives of those close to you! Spread the word and help others learn about cancer and how to prevent it!

I hope you have found this post helpful! If you have, please share it with your friends and family!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, and Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett!

I post every Friday!

Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!
H. Banana

Fall in Love with Fitness

     I love the season of fall so much! All the colors, the cooler weather, the seasonal food, cozy days... I could go on and on! To me, the first sign of fall is when the leaves start to change into the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges! I think Fall is such a beautiful time of year, and it gets me in the mood of all sorts of things!

 

   One of the things Fall gets me in the mood for is working-out outside! Here, the cooler weather makes for such nice workouts, that I look forward to them more and more! Lately, my go-to workout has been running, which I used to dis-like with a passion! Now I love to run, and am falling deeper in love with every time I run! We have a treadmill in our garage, so when the weather is cool, I open up the garage doors and workout in the cooler air!

 

     With every new season comes change, and a chance to start something new! When ever the season, month, or year changes, I always get motivated to start new, start fresh, or make new goals to strive after! Fall is a great time to start new health and fitness goals because it's a great time to get outside, get active, and become healthier!

 

     But, how do you get started? How do you start down the road to a healthier life? My advice is, start small and work your way up. 'Rome wasn't built in a day' after all! Making small changes, instead of big ones, helps you get used to them and become more comfortable with them.( For example) Going from a fast-food diet to a healthier, homemade meals diet over night can be a big change, but starting slow with...maybe one meal a week homemade, and working your way up from there is so much easier and will help you stick to it!

Food First!
     I personally think that, if you are starting out fresh in a healthy lifestyle, that diet is the first thing you should change. It can be the hardest part for some, and the easiest part for others, but nevertheless, I do think its the most important part of a healthy life! How can you expect your body to be able to start being more active if it doesn't have good, healthy fuel(food) to keep it going?! Here are a few things you can do to start eating healthier!

1. More Water! Try and drink lots of water everyday! Not only does this keep you hydrated, it also helps you feel full longer, helping you not over eat!

2. Less Meat, More Veggies! If you read my Portion Control   , blog post, you'll know that only 1/4 of your plate should be meat, another 1/4 should be grains, and the rest should be piled high with veggies! Practice this the next time you eat a meal, and you'll be amazed that you can still be stratified, even with less meat!

3. Eat at Home! I know this isn't so easy for everyone, but eating at home is a great way to insure that the food you are eating is healthy! Making your own meals lets you know just what goes into your meals!( By the Way, I am not talking about premade store bought meals!).

There are lots more tips and trick to getting your diet on a healthier track! If you would like more, check out Clean Eating  , and Healthy Habits.

Get Moving!
     Second to your diet, exercise is also very important to having a healthy body. Most people are far to sedentary, which is why we have so many people with health problems( which is another topic all together!). Getting up and moving, even for a short time  every day or so, will keep you fit, healthy, and happy! Here are a few ways to add exercise into your daily life!

1. Walk! Its really that simple, just walk! Walk to work or school( if you can), take the stairs, park a little further from the store than normal, or just take a walk! Walking is such a relaxing exercise, you won't even know you are getting a workout in!

2. Short but Effective! Doing short, yet effective workouts every morning or night( I like to do them before my shower at night!) is a great habit to get into! They can be little things like: 50 Jumping Jacks, 50 Squats, 20 Sit-Ups, or 10 Push-Ups, 30 Lunges, 40 Jog-in-Place( to give you a few examples). Like I said, start small and work your way up!

3. Workout Buddy! Having a workout budding is a great way to keep yourself on track! Find a friend, or make a new one, and set goals with each other. If you work or go to school together, walk together during lunch, or something like that! Pick a day of the week to meet and go on a jog/run. Have fun and you won't dread those workouts!

My blog is full of workout tips, workouts, and more, so check them out!

 

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it helps you start fresh this fall, with a healthier lifestyle! Remember, Fall isn't just about the treats, pumpkin spice lattes, and sitting on the couch, but it is a great time to get up and get active and healthy!

Please share this post and my blog with your friends and family to share the love of healthy living! Follow the blog via email, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

I post every Friday, so stay tuned!

Keep healthy and Safe!
H. Banana

Clean Eating

Having a clean diet is a sure way to have a healthy body! A clean diet is, in my opinion, the best way to eat a healthy, balanced diet!

  What does it mean to eat clean? To eat clean is simply to eat foods that aren't highly processed or sprayed with chemicals, free of refined flour and sugars and saturated and trans fat. Sugar loaded drinks like sodas and juices, along with high-calorie foods with little or no nutritional value are to be avoided.  Instead you eat 6 meals a day (Three small snacks and three medium sized meals), always eat breakfast, eat foods that contain healthy fats, proteins and carbs, rely on fruits and veggies for fiber, vitamins and enzymes, drink plenty of water and practice portion control!

Eating clean isn't really a 'diet' with an end date. Its a complete lifestyle change! It needs to be done gradually so you can get used to the changes that will happen when you change to a cleaner way of eating. There aren't really 'rules' to follow, just use common sense and remember a few key things!

Key Things to Clean Eating:
- Buy Organic, Locally Grown and Non-Sprayed fruits and veggies whenever you can
- Avoid processed and packaged foods
- Cook at home whenever you can
- Buy Organic and Non-GMO whenever you can
- Drinks lots of Water!
- Stay away from Refined sugars and flours
- Practice Portion Control
- Have three balanced meals a day with three light snacks throughout the day

So, now that you know the basics, how do you get started? How do you start to convert to a cleaner diet?  Well, like I said earlier, it is best to do it gradually. I suggest starting by cleaning out your fridge and pantry of the foods that aren't 'clean'. Then, start practicing portion control and a balanced plate. Next, find out where you can buy organic, Non-GMO, locally grown, etc. foods. A farmer's market can be a great place to go as well! Make small changes in your meals at first. Start by cutting out sodas and juices one week, then the next week cut out processed sugars and carbs. The next week maybe start cooking and pre-making your meals and always remember to drink a lot of water! Go at your own speed and make the changes in the order that works for you!

 

To make eat clean easier, I want to share with you a few tips and tricks to eating clean and having a healthy lifestyle!

 

Always eat breakfast! When you wake up, your body has been without food for at least eight hours, so you need to eat!

Try to not eat within an hour of going to bed. While you sleep your body does some cleaning and detoxing that can't really be done if there is a ton of food in your stomach.

Eat snacks. Eating small snacks in between meals keeps you metabolism going.

Fill up on fruits and veggies. Not only to they contain great nutritional value, but they are low in calories!

Cook at home. I can't stress this enough! Making your own meals is the best way to know exactly what goes into your food! For those who don't have a ton of time, pre-make your meals a head of time!

Always keep a snack with you. Having an apple, handful of nuts, or any other healthy snack on hand is a great way to keep you from eating the unhealthy un-'clean' foods.

Always serve veggies with a meal. Having a salad, sautéed veggies, or raw veggies with a meal makes the meal more filling without being too calorie dense.

Go with what works for you. Don't feel like you have to follow every clean eating rule out there! You will find ways that work for you and some that don't! Remember, its a lifestyle change, so you have time to grow used to it and make it perfect for your life!

 

 

You can find plenty of healthy and clean recipes here on my blog! There are recipes for breakfast like, Chocolate and Peanut Butter Muffins , Smoothies  , and Pumpkin Muffins  . Recipes of Lunch and Dinner like Oven Roasted Peppers and Onions and Honey Roasted Carrots . Also there are tons of dessert and snack recipes like, Guacamole  , Cherry and Chocolate Icecream  , and Frozen Hot Chocolate  ! Look around and let me know which one you like best!

I hope this post helps you and encourages you to convert to a cleaner way of eating and living! Follow the blog for more healthy post! Also, follow the blog on Twitter @ Spinachisgood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett

Thank you for visiting my blog and please check back for more post on all things healthy, and share with a friend!

Keep healthy and Safe!
H. Banana