Living Happy Living Strong

  The immune system   i s a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. The immune system keeps a record of every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated so it can recognize and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again. You can see why we should keep our immune systems healthy and strong. Here are 9 ways we can do just that:

BREAKFAST TIME!!! Benefits of eating in the a.m. include... Consuming less fat through the day Meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption Having higher daily calcium intake Having higher daily fiber intake Having better performance (memory and attention) (for school-aged children )

  What  a \ re carbohydrates? Carbohydrates (a.k.a. carbs) are a type of macronutrient. When it comes to the 'health world' they get a pretty bad rap. Why? I honestly don't know because when you eat them wisely, they are truly amazing for you . There are 3 main types of carbs:  - SUGAR is the simplest form of carbohydrates and occurs naturally in certain foods, including fruits, vegetables, milk, and milk products. Some types of sugar include fruit sugar (fructose), table sugar (sucrose), and milk sugar (lactose). - STARCH  is a complex carbohydrate (it is made of many sugar units bonded together). Starch occurs naturally in vegetables, grains, and cooked dry beans and peas. -  FIBER , like starch,  is also a complex carbohydrate. It occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cooked dry beans and peas. What are 'net carbs'? Net carbs are used to mean the number of carbohydrates in a product (excludes fiber and/or sugar alcohol carbs) What is the glyc

  Hey! Do you ever crave some sweet chocolate? That's totally normal. There can be different reasons why these cravings are hitting, and you should probably learn some new ways to turn the corner and avoid them.     As usual, I am NOT going to tell you to "never eat things that you don't need or that don't provide you with any nutrients." But, sometimes we have goals set and we want to know how to curb those sugar-loaded foods.

When we binge eat, we feel as if we have no control over the amounts of food we are consuming.  Sometimes we make it easier for ourselves to binge foods by making them very accessible. If you were to be watching TV, and you decided you wanted some ice-cream, you have a decision to make in your head. 'Should I take the tub of ice-cream and eat up until a certain point?' Or should I portion out the  amount of ice-cream I want in a bowl and put the rest back in the freezer?' When you decide to take the whole tub of ice-cream, you are making it available to eat more than you really wanted in the first place. Ice-cream isn't the healthiest thing so you should probably portion the amount that you feel is right to treat your body. This is called PORTION CONTROL, and it applies to both healthy and less-healthy foods. It will not make you feel good if you eat TOO much of anything, that's why we should eat "everything in moderation". Portion control helps with this

Summer is here! I am so excited to share these super-hydrating foods and refreshments to enjoy! Water is SUPER important, but sometimes it's fun to spice it up! I will also include some recipes for some summer refreshers.

Every morning, I take a cup/glass of lemon water.  Here's the recipe...

Who loves acai as much as I do?! Here's my recipe that will give you the healthiest and yummiest version of the fruit! I bet you already know what acai bowls are from social media (probably because they are so pretty!), but did you know that there are many health benefits to them? When you buy acai berries from the grocery store, they are typically juiced and frozen into packs. You can find my personal favorite ones  here . Studies show that these berries contain more antioxidants than cranberries, blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries! You can definitely find tons of studies throughout the web, but I will simplify them here.  Here are the top 5 health benefits of Acai... 1. Acai reduces high cholesterol  According to  theculturetrip.com , "acai contains  two essential fatty acids known as omega-6 and omega-9." These fatty acids are proven to maintain AND reduce cholesterol levels.  2. Improves immune system  Acai contains certain compounds, including the  polyphe