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Laughter: More Than The Best Medicine

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:00:00 -0700

We have all heard that laughter is the best medicine; well some Norwegian researchers think it might just be more than that. Folks that have a sense of humor, especially in the face of cancer, outlive those who don't find life funny. The study tracked 57,000 Norwegians for 7 years and the larger role humor played in participants' daily lives, the greater their chances for surviving. Check out this article at USA Today for more on this study.

Now another recent study, this one British, found laughter acts as a "social lubricant" and can thereby make folks more altruistic as a group. Participants were shown either serious or comic videos in groups and then asked to "invest" money. They could invest either "privately" with a guaranteed return or "communally" with all participants receiving an equal return, but with no guarantee that it would match the amount put into the investment. Yep, you guessed it - the participants that laughed with their investing partners, who they had never met before, were more likely to invest communally. Laughing together makes people feel like they are more connected. The researchers are postulating that laughter could have evolutionary significance in creating group bonding which increases the group's survival in stressful situations.

Well...laugh and the world laughs with you...and you might live longer...and you might invest your money more altruistically which would make you feel warm inside.

Now if you are looking for a laugh, a chuckle or a guffaw...check out my buddy GiggleSugar. I am sure she has something to help you live longer.

MyPath*TV

FitSugar — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 04:00:00 -0800

Sometimes, I want to sign up for classes and be with people while I learn. Other times, I want to stay in my pj's and learn via computer.

For those pj times, try MyPath*TV. MyPath*TV is an online resource and community that provides hundreds of videos on virtually any topic you can think of relating to health and wellness. The videos tend to be a bit low budget and cheesy (nobody is looking to win an Oscar here), but they definitely contain good quality content. The site is motivational and soothing. The best part is there are videos from industry notables like Dr. Andrew Weil, a "guru" in the natural and preventative medicine world. There is one snag though: You have to subscribe. A daily subscription is $1.95, a monthly subscription is $9.95 and a 3-month subscription is $25.35.

Meditate For a Healthy Heart

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:31 -0800

My father introduced TM (transcendental meditation) to me my senior year of high school as a way to unwind, relax, and fight stress as I headed off to college. Since then, I've always felt lucky to know a kind of secret way to recharge my batteries, without needing a nap. But I was surprised to learn that practicing meditation has another heath benefit for your heart.

It turns out regular practice of TM doesn't just help your psychological well-being; it has also been shown to have significant therapeutic effects on people at high risk for heart attacks. A recent study, which followed 200 patients for five years, reveals that "the high-risk patients who meditated cut their risk of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from all causes roughly in half compared with a group of similar patients who were given more conventional education about healthy diet and lifestyle."

According to Dr. Robert Schneider, director of the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention, who presented the study's findings, TM's ability to help reduce blood pressure is essential to helping prevent heart attacks and heart complications, “We found reduced blood pressure that was significant – that was probably one important mediator," claims Schneider.

TM is also easy to learn and practice - it doesn't require specific education, and from my own experience, I totally agree with Dr. Schneider - "it's a straightforward technique for getting deep rest to the mind and body."

Ashley Greene's New Moon Diet

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:19 -0800

If you were part of New Moon fever this weekend, I’m sure you were transfixed as I was watching the epic battle scene between the Cullen family and the Volturi. The young actors demonstrated dynamic moves coupled with super human strength that were spectacular to watch on the big screen.

Moves like that don’t come easy, Twilight actress Ashley Greene told Us Magazine. Greene, who plays Alice Cullen in the films, said that prepping for the role involved a lot of training - up to four hours a day! In addition to working out with a personal trainer every day, she also had an intense week of fight training with the rest of the New Moon cast. No wonder all the actors look ripped.

To find out how else Greene stays in shape, read more.

Greene was pretty candid in admitting another reason she’s looking so svelte - 12 hour workdays don't "leave too much time to eat." Before dismissing Greene as an actress who starves herself to look good, the star did say that she ate well and stuck to healthy foods during filming. As for her day-to-day off the set she does Pilates six times a week.

"I do it early in the morning. It wakes you up, and it's kind of refreshing," said Greene, who is headed to London in a few months to begin filming the thriller The Apparition. "And that is basically it. Sometimes cardio. I am not a big weight person because when I do weights I build muscle mass."

Stop Hating the Gym and Start Loving It

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:43 -0800

If you are dreading moving your workouts indoors due to falling temperatures, let me help you learn to love, or at least tolerate, the gym. Here are some common reasons people hate hitting the gym, and solutions to help you overcome the hurdles.

I hate the gym because . . .	The solution
It's too expensive.	Go price hunting. There are so many different types of gyms that offer various services, so find one that fits your budget. Instead of paying $90 a month for a gym that has cardio machines, a weight room, classes, a pool, and a yoga studio, figure out what's most important to you and just pay for that. A gym down the street from me is only $10 a month for cardio and weight machines. Not bad at all.
It's too far away from my home.	If you can't find a gym close to where you live, try to find one close to where you work. That way you can head over on your lunch break or after work.
The cardio machines are boring.	Find a way to make them more enjoyable. I like to download audio books or podcasts onto my iPod. Listening really helps pass the time. Switching to different machines in one workout also helps beat boredom. Or try competing with a stranger.

To learn more ways to start loving the gym, keep reading.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:50:03 -0800

You can go easy on the butter in your mashed potatoes when you use Yukon Gold spuds.
New Moon star Nikki Reed says hiking with her boyfriend is her fitness secret.
How well do you know the calorie counts of Starbucks's holiday drinks?
Worried about falling off the healthy wagon? Here are eight ways to get back on track.
I'm curious to know how many days a week you work out.
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz firmly believes in taco night and baby weights.
If you're starting to strength train, check out this guide to beginning weights for lifting.
Learn just how long you need to exercise in order to burn off a slice of T-day pumpkin pie.
I have some great gift ideas for the healthy cook in your life.
Learn a bit more about the fat-burning zone.

Get Wellness Tips From the Mayo Clinic at Home

FitSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

The Mayo Clinic offers top-notch medical care but the problem is that not all of us live within driving distance to Rochester, MN.

Now, you can get wellness advice and tips directly from the Mayo Clinic in the comfort of your own home by using their new Wellness Solutions DVDs. From high blood pressure, to back pain, to IBS, you might just be able to find a solution for whatever common health problem ails you. Each DVD includes an informational section along with treatment options (alternative and traditional), nutritional information, and a yoga session. One DVD costs $20, so while they're not the cheapest DVDs on health topics, you know your money is well spent since the advice you're getting comes from the best of the best. Buy online at Gaiam.

Has anyone tried any of these wellness DVDs already? I'd love to hear what you think.

Gear Review: Clear2Go Water Bottle With Filter

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:56 -0800

I've been carrying a reusable water bottle with me for years now, filling up on tap water as needed. Well, portable water just got a little cleaner with the Clear2Go water bottle ($16). It's your standard water bottle with a squeeze top made for cycling, but it comes with its very own water filter. The filter adds a little weight to the bottle, but it filters out 99.9 percent of microbial cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), reduces the chlorine taste of water, and reduces lead and mercury. Using trickle down technology developed originally by NASA, one filter lasts for 100 gallons, or 533 refills - keeping an estimated 757 plastic bottles out of landfills. Replacement filters are available in two packs and cost $13.

Lance Armstrong is a fan of these eco and health friendly reusable bottles, and if you become of fan of Clear2Go on Facebook you can enter to win a bike ride with the seven-time winner of the Tour de France. You can purchase your mobile filtration system directly from Clear2Go. They make great holiday gifts and would definitely get you well on your way to filling a loved one's stocking.

Test Your Knowledge of Fad Diets

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:08 -0800

It seems like every day a new diet makes the news. Some of these fads can sound promising because they're veiled in medical and health jargon or carry the backing of a celebrity or doctor. But reading between the lines reveals that regardless of the details, these diets are generally not healthy because they lack balance and are very restrictive.

Many of them are just plain kooky too - it's as if they're trying to outweird one another. How well do you know your trendy diets? Take my quiz and find out.

Take the quiz

Weekend Well-Being: Make Your Own Granola

FitSugar — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Granola is one of my favorite breakfast foods. I must admit, I munch on it for an afternoon snack, too. Add a little fruit and a little yogurt to the granola and you've got yourself a well-balanced meal or snack.

Granola, however, is often made with lots of oil and sweeteners. I have taken the matter into my own hands and made some of my own. This recipe uses frozen apple-juice concentrate, which decreases the amount of sugar and oil needed to make tasty, crunchy granola. Plus, the recipe contains wheat germ, my new favorite super food.

This is a great Winter recipe because the stove is on for almost an hour. So turn off your heat, turn on your oven, and make your own granola.

To check out the recipe just read more.

Cinnamon, Walnut Granola
adapted from Everyday Food

What you need:
3 cups rolled oats
½ cup toasted wheat germ
¾ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup frozen apple juice concentrate (thawed)
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp canola oil
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup dried cherries (chopped)
½ cup dried cranberries

What you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Spread oats evenly on pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Add wheat germ and walnut to oats and cook for 10 more minutes.
In a small bowl, combine apple juice concentrate, sugar, oil, and cinnamon.
Pour mixture over oats and add dried fruit. Stir well to combine.
Increase heat of oven to 325 degrees and bake oat for another 20 to 30 minutes or until they are golden brown. Stir the mixture halfway through the cooking process.
Allow oats to cool in pan, about 25 minutes. Transfer to an air tight container. Granola will keep at room temperature for one month.

Print recipe with images | without images

In the original recipe, I found the temperature too high. I changed the temperature and the timing.

Here's nutritional information:

Serving size	1/2 cup
Calories	271
Fat (g)	11
Protein (g)	7
Carbs (g)	38
Fiber (g)	4.6