High-Fructose Corn Syrup Makes You Stupid, Omega-3s Make You Smart


Updated 05/16/12 3:00 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

As if you needed another reminder to stop eating processed foods: a new study has found that foods high in high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) can make you stupid. But there's good news, too: eating foods high in omega-3s can help combat loss of brain function.

The study looked at different groups of rats that had been trained on a maze. After a few days on the maze, some of the rats were fed an HFCS-sweetened solution as their drinking water for six weeks, with some also receiving a diet high in omega-3s. After the diet, the rats were tested on how well they could recall the maze. The researchers found that the rats who ate the omega-3 diet were faster at completing the maze than the other rats, whether or not they were also given HFCS. Not only that, but the rats given the HFCS and not omega-3s were the slowest at completing the maze, and their brains showed a decline in activity and memory function.

This latest lab study is yet more evidence that processed foods can mess with our minds (other studies, for example, have linked fast food to depression) and that a diet high in omega-3s can help protect your brain from aging and mental decline. Ready to swap that fast-food burger for a mind-sharpening meal instead? Here's a list of vegan sources of omega-3s and five staples of the omega-3-rich Mediterranean diet.

Source: Thinkstock

Overlooked and Underappreciated: How to Use the Rowing Machine


Updated 05/16/12 4:20 PM · Posted by · 24 comments

The rowing machine can be intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it's an effective way to spice up your cardio routine. But while the rowing machine, also called an ergometer, is a calorie buster (about 280 calories in 30 minutes for an 130-pound woman) and a good leg and core workout, improper form can lead to back injuries if you're not careful. Read on for our tips on proper rowing form.

Before you start, there are a few things to note about using the rowing machine. Make sure you wear formfitting clothes, otherwise you risk getting fabric caught in it while working out. Don't set the resistance too high — experienced rowers generally use the rowing machine at 3-5 during their workouts, so setting the machine at 2 or 3 is perfect for a beginner. Keep your strokes per minute somewhere in the low- to mid-20s as well.

There are different ways to measure your workout, so use the change display button on your machine to track your strokes per minute, calories burned, kilometers traveled, or your split (how many minutes it takes you to travel 500 meters).

Beginning Position

  1. For your first row, set the resistance low while you figure out your form, then slowly ramp it up on subsequent rows.
  2. Secure your feet on the pads with the straps tight enough so your feet don't move around as you slide.
  3. Bring your knees up and slide to the top of the machine. Grab the handle using an overhand grip, but don't hold too tightly.
  4. Pull the handle with you as you slide to the end of the machine. Your legs should be straight, but knees should still have a slight bend in them so they aren't locked. Lean back slightly and pull your hands up to your chest, holding the handle so it is right below your breasts, with elbows pointing down against your sides. This is the position where you should begin your workout, and it's also your ending position once you complete a full stroke (see below).

Keep reading for the rest of our tips for proper rowing machine form.

Find Out Just How Affordable a Good Night's Sleep Can Be


Updated 05/16/12 3:00 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

We've all been told about the importance of a good night's sleep. But just how important are those ZZZs? Well, think of it this way: the average person spends one-third of their lifetime sleeping. That's a lot of time on your mattress! So, isn't it about time you start investing in some good sleep?

In the past, buying a brand-new mattress might have seemed too expensive, but with the new TEMPUR-Simplicity™ mattress, you can enjoy Tempur-Pedic comfort and contouring support at a surprisingly affordable price. Yes, that means you never have to troll the "Free Stuff" section of Craigslist in search of a mattress again. Also, the 10-year warranty takes the worry out of your purchase.

Find out more about the TEMPUR-Simplicity™ mattress here.

Find Out Just How Affordable a Good Night's Sleep Can Be originally posted on SavvySugar

Office Weight-Loss Tip: Set Up an Eating Schedule


Updated 05/16/12 11:25 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Busy nine-to-fivers have schedules that don't leave much wiggle room for anything but work. Getting wrapped up in a project often leads to skipped snacks and meals. A growling stomach, headache, and fuzzy brain make you realize you should have eaten lunch an hour ago, and since you're famished, you reach for the first (and probably not-so-healthy) food you can get your hungry hands on. Prevent work weight gain and keep your productivity levels high by setting up a schedule for snacks and meals. After having breakfast at home, here's a basic schedule you can follow once you reach the office.

9:30: Morning snack
12:00: Lunch
3:30: Afternoon snack

Be sure to eat breakfast a couple hours before your morning snack and dinner a couple hours after your afternoon snack. Adjust the schedule to meet your needs and stick to it. (It may help to set up reminders on your computer or phone so you don't forget.) Before heading to work, prepare healthy snacks — like these 150-calorie DIY snack packs — and lunches —here are some tasty vegetarian sandwiches — so you can avoid grabbing greasy fast food or that homemade brownie your co-worker brought in. An eating schedule may seem a little too rigid (or like you're back in elementary school), but planning ahead is the best way to keep you on the healthy eating path.

Source: Flickr User SweetOnVeg

Healthy Dose Link Time: Miranda Kerr Talks Healthy Snacks and Going Organic


Updated 05/16/12 10:30 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Source: Getty