April 2010

Nutrition Tips

Dip Into This . Choose bean (minus cheese topping) or hummus dip over cheese or cream-based dips.

Butter NOT. Wean yourself from butter. If you can't go cold turkey then begin using less and every week focus on cutting back a little more. Eventually, you will not even think about grabbing butter.

Another "Natural" Sugar Alternative to the Market? Agave syrup, which is being touted as healthier than sugar, is NOT healthier. It has 20 calories per teaspoon (sugar has 16) and it contains up to 90% fructose (and that's more than high-fructose corn syrup).

Serving Size vs. Portion Size? A serving size is a unit of measure that describes a recommended amount to eat of a certain food. To be safe, always read the Nutrition Facts label (known as a food label) so that you know how much of that food is in a serving. A portion size , on the other hand, is the amount of a food that you choose to eat. What is recommended versus what you actually eat can be two very different things .

Fitness Tips

Family Fun Days. Plan your Saturdays with activities that you can do with your family. Plan a fun walk on a trail, a bike ride, planting flowers, setting up an obstacle course or volunteering at a local event .

Bone Health. Jumping jacks are a great, easy exercise you can do anywhere, anytime and are one of the best ways to help build strong bones. Keep things interesting with your jumping jack routine by jumping 25 times facing forward and then rotate clockwise and jump 25 times each facing to the right, to the back and then to the left.

Health Tips

Your Biggest Asset. Your body is your biggest asset. It allows you to do EVERYTHING that you do. Be thankful for your body. It is yours and unlike anyone else's. It is important to appreciate and accept your unique self. This acceptance can set you up for a lifetime of positive returns .

Put Your Best Foot Forward. Wear or carry socks for your shoeless walk through airport security to avoid everything that could be lurking on the floor.

A Healthier Party . Celebrate in a "giving" way by taking a typical party and turning it into a

community service project. Make blankets for the homeless, organize a food drive for your local food pantry or write a book for a senior living center.

A Healthy Fundraiser. Rather than use baked goods to sell at a school fundraiser, have students make bracelets, hats, hair accessories or other non-food items. You will be amazed at the success!

These tips authored by your experts at, www.healthetips.com .

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