With so many variations of foods and trends on the market, how do we know we are consuming good nutrition? We've been told consumption of processed foods are bad for you but what does that really mean?
All foods are processed to a certain extent. You process foods when you cook them. But there are foods on the market that are processed with additional hidden sugars, fats, and sodium. These additional flavorings not only makes the foods taste good but are used to preserve the food. Examples of high processed foods include frozen dinners, deli or cured meats, and boxed/canned meals. While the convenience of these food items are lifesavers on days when we are too busy to cook. Long term consumption can lead to potential health problems including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Although consuming some processed foods are ok, it is better to eat cleaner by consuming more natural or minimally processed foods. Here are some things to consider:
Taking care of our health and body starts with what we put inside. Make it a habit to nuture your body with the best nutrients and fuel with the best foods. Feel free to share ideas, recipes, or comment on what works for you. Thanks for reading!
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While some things in life can't be fixed or solved today, it is good to have ways to re-energize or give yourself the support you need to make it through the day. Here are some things you can do daily that will improve the outlook of your day.
1. Exercise- the body releases endorphins each time you exercise giving you that positive good feeling inside. Exercise relieves stress and improves circulation Strive to get some physical activity for at least a total of 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes per day. Choose something that is fun and enjoyable for you. 2. Meditation- the practice of meditation requires you to sit quietly focusing only on your breathing patterns getting into the right state of mind. One popular practice is the Zen Meditation. Mental clarity can help you tackle problems in your day and prevent your emotions from getting the best of you. 3. Acts of kindness- when your day is tough someone around you maybe having one too. Say a kind word, give a hug, or help someone in need. The smallest acts of kindness can mean the world to someone else. Nothing is more rewarding than giving. 4. Laugh- laughter releases tension and helps to lower the heart rate and blood pressure. Laughing also releases those natural feel good endorphins putting you in a good mood. So laugh a little more even if sometimes we are laughing at ourselves! 5. Read- motivational quotes, bible verses, stories that inspire, or a good book. Reading builds knowledge and creativity. Getting absorbed into a good read is a great way to relieve stress and relax the mind. What are some things you do to enhance your day? One of the biggest things we all take for granted is our health. It's so easy not to think about it especially when we feel fine.
When I got my first car, the first thing my dad did was show me the engine, how to check oil, where the spare was, check tire pressure, and so forth. He also told me to keep up with routine maintenance in order to keep the car in good running condition. As a nurse I take care of people who are at their most vulnerable. People don't choose to be sick. Nothing is more rewarding than to touch a life of another human being. But what I realized is that in order to make a greater impact we have to cultivate ourselves to be more proactive with our health instead of being reactive. We plan for vacations or what we want to wear tomorrow. Why not have a plan to take care of our bodies? Just like a car, committing to routine checks and physicals helps to detect any problems or concerns so we can better care for ourselves. So many people are affected by debilitating illnesses. Some conditions affect a person's quality of life in many different ways. Benjamin Franklin once said, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Thanks for reading. Please like/share to motivate and encourage others. Being with my husband for over 20 years has been..quite an adventure! Not only have we grown together, but we continue to learn and grow every day. We had to learn to compromise.. maintain what is important and let go of what wasn't. We realized that although life has many trials and tribulations.. we never gave up loving and supporting each other. Here are the must-dos that we value as important in keeping our relationship together.
1. Do not harbor resentment- Whatever the issue is that makes you upset with your spouse, please let them know in a positive way. The receiver of the message should listen and try to understand why their spouse is upset. Not letting your partner know you are upset puts them at risk of you having a sudden blow up or build up of resentment towards them. Resentment can be very damaging long term in a relationship. 2. Do be honest and communicate daily- It is so easy to forget about each other when both are juggling work, children, and other responsibilities. Lost of communication happens quicker than we know it. Make a committment and effort to each other daily to spend at least 30 minutes of the day talking to each other. This helps to keep that emotional connection intact. If this person is the one, you should be able to talk to them honestly about your dreams, goals, and even fears. 3. Do maintain a physical connection- Intimacy is so important as a way to bond and feel connected. I am not talking about sex only. Holding hands, kissing, hugging, or being together are just to name a few. Physical contact and closeness makes humans feel love and security. Lack of an intimate connection with your partner can create distance in your relationship. 4. Do be uplifting and treat each other as equals- A relationship works better when both parties make an effort to contribute and make things work. Being respectful even during disagreements helps us to be uplifting and work towards solving the problem instead of creating hostility. Thanks for reading. Please share your thoughts and comments on what works for you in your relationships. Please also share this article to anyone you think can use inspiration or motiviation. Sharing is caring! I use to wonder what special skills it took for people to achieve successes in life. Why were some people able to achieve in more than one area while others continue to struggle in all. There are no special skills or talents needed. All that is needed is "DD". Daily determination. Daily determination equals success. What makes this method so simple? It can be applied and used in all aspects of your life and let me tell you how.
IF you want to get healthy, you must think about what you give your body daily . IF you want to become financially stable, you must start saving daily. IF you want to reach your weight loss goals, you must evaluate your eating habits daily. IF you want to quit smoking, you must try to quit daily. IF you need to manage your stress, you must remove stress daily. IF you want better relationships, you must work on them daily. IF you want to grow spiritually, you must grow faith daily. IF you want to grow as a person, you must be open to learn daily. Most important..its never too late to start. I saw this quote the other day that has been motivating for me this week. You don't have to be great to start. But you have to start to be great. -Zig Ziglar Having gratitude is so important because it keeps us humble We become more conscious and appreciative of even the smallest things. Just like the saying of looking at the glass half full instead of half empty? Counting blessings instead of struggles can help you get through the worst times in your life. No matter big or small, there is always something to be grateful for. Thanks for letting me be a part of your day!
Ways to seek gratitude daily:
"It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy" -unknown |
AuthorI am a nurse, educator, and certified health coach. Archives
April 2017
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