General

Most of my Zumba Gold® class students have seen me at one time or another with the infamous “deer in the headlights” look.                                               What causes the captured, blank stare and forgotten next […]

 July was recognized as National Watermelon Month – but today, August 3, 2015, has been designated by food.com1 as National Watermelon Day. Why has watermelon earned attention two months in a row? According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, watermelon packs a powerful lycopene punch. Scientists have found that lycopene, the red pigment occurring naturally in certain

While visiting Tacoma, Washington, this past weekend for annual convention of the Univera, Inc. natural supplements I sell, the air seemed nicely clean. Early morning sea gulls squawked their way from Puget Sound past my 10th floor hotel window.     “What makes Tacoma feel so good?” I wondered. Then it came to me –

When reading Bill Gifford’s excellent book Spring Chicken – Stay Younger (Or Die Trying,) I came across the the ancient Greek term “hormesis.” Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s phrase That which does not kill us makes us stronger describes hormesis. Wait – we’ve worked long and hard to be comfortable. It turns out, though, that by allowing ourselves to

When improving dietary habits, our journey begins with what we choose to savor in the mind.  If daily self-talk focuses on what we have decided to minimize, e.g. foods full of the three white powders – excess sugar, flour and salt, then we obstruct progress toward healthy food. Let Eat lean and green become our daily mantra. We’ll leave

“I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill.”* According to the United States Department of Agriculture, July is National Blueberry Month. We’re glad for it! Supermarket produce sections brim over with fresh, low cost blueberries. Eating cupfuls of these luscious, low-in-fat, high fiber, nutrient-rich sweet orbs truly can be called July’s health thrill. *Thank you, Fats Domino,

Science has identified the Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load as being useful guides for individuals needing to keep blood sugar levels consistent and/or wanting to shed pounds through nutritious eating. Knowing the glycemic load of a food is considered very useful in regards to impact on our health. See easy-to-read article.              

Yesterday, June 21, 2015, the Summer Solstice (when we enjoy the most daylight) occurred at 9:39 A.M. Pacific Daylight Savings Time. Tip #4 of my 10 Vitality Tips for a Happy Healthy Life states “Feel the Sunshine.”  During these long summer days we want sunlight so our bodies produce enough naturally occurring vitamin D.  However, let’s remember

While waiting last night at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 4, my tongue discovered what it thought was a delightful combination of the basic-four taste sensations – Sweet, Sour, Salty and Bitter – in the Tuscan Kale Salad* offered at Nocawich eatery.  Google informed me, though, that research has replaced the basic four with

Today we celebrate the Orange – an Endless Summer fruit available year round in grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Familiar varieties include Valencia, Navel, Cara Cara and Blood. Here’s a link from Sunkist Growers .  If attending an all-day fitness conference, I’ll often pre-peel and divide an orange, putting the segments into a plastic sandwich bag.