Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Resolution time!
Mary Margaret Chappell, Editor-in-Chief of Vegetarian Times Magazine shares 10 little changes that can make a lot of difference to your health (and happiness!).
Indulge in Health Foods!
Go ahead, dip into that Valentine's Day chocolate stash. According to a recent study, eating small amounts of dark chocolate can prevent the types of blood clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke. "Flavonol compounds in cocoa delay the clotting in the same way aspirin does," explains Diane Becker, MPH, professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and leader of the study.
Go Dancing
Ballroom dancing may be as effective for heart health as working out on a treadmill, say researchers at the Lancisi Heart Institute in Ancona, Italy. In a study of 88 participants, those who took waltz lessons had similar heart fitness levels to a control group that was put on a treadmill/cycling regimen.
Put on a Slow Song
Dimming the lights and putting on some mood music may do more than just rev romance. Slow music has been shown to help modulate heart rhythms, regulate blood pressure and relieve stress.
Mind Your B's and Q's
That's barley and quinoa - but you can also be on the lookout for spelt, amaranth and buckwheat. These whole grains are taking the nation by storm and are delicious (read: they don't taste like health food), protein- and fiber-packed alternatives to pasta and white flour. (P.S. Wasa Crisp'n Light 7 Grain is an easy way to get most of them into your healthy diet!)
Go for the Big "O"
As in, omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats have been shown to promote cardiovascular health. Good vegetable sources are flaxseeds, walnuts and tofu.
Raise a Glass
Cocktail, beer or glass of bubbly, drinking one to two servings of alcohol a day has been credited with lowered risk of atherosclerosis, or the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries. Red wine is the best option because of the polyphenols in grape skins that also have cholesterol-lowering properties
Hold Hands
According to a December 2006 study conducted at the University of Virginia, holding hands may reduce the effects of stress. When wives held the hands of their husbands, an MRI scan of their brains showed less stress when subjected to tests than when they held the hands of strangers — or didn't hold anyone's hand at all.
Find Amore!
Find amore! Following a Mediterranean diet full of health foods has been shown to boost heart health and reduce the risk of strokes and cancer. Tomato and garlic-laced Italian fare is especially good because of the antioxidants and immune boosters in both flavorful veggies.
Walk Your Baby Back Home
Or just go for a stroll each day. Studies show that just a half-hour walk five times a week can reduce the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease by up to one-third.
