Day 3: Frozen Veggies

Day 3: Frozen Veggies

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I admit, I don't always buy fresh veggies. Doctors always preach "Buy fresh whenever you can," but what about those times that you can't?

I don't grocery shop every day! I go 2-3 weeks (sometimes more) between shopping. By that time, my fruits and veggies are rotten.

We all buy canned. Right?

After tracking my diet for a few days, I've come to realize that my diet (which is pretty healthy compared to many) consists of WAY too much sodium. The max you should have is 2,300mg a day. Seems like a lot, right? NOPE!

Let's look at one serving (not an entire can...) of yummy canned asparagus. 430mg of sodium! YUCK! And most people salt their veggies during cooking. Are we trying to kill ourselves?! haha

Anyway, when researching low sodium diets, I had a "duh" moment.

Frozen veggies don't need all those preservatives.

So that's your project today: Donate all your canned goodness to the nearest food drive and go get some frozen ones.

Bonus: Canned veggies don't help heal a black eye, frozen ones do ;)

Day 2: Whole Grains

Day 2: Whole Grains

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The simplest health choice to make is often the one that gets ignored: switching from refined carbs to whole grain.

Let me break it down for you:

-White rice, bread, and pasta is only 1 step away from turning to sugar in your body. Your body literally breaks it into sugar.

(which means that instead of having a spaghetti dinner, you could have just had sugar cookies topped with sauce. yuck)

-carbs aren't bad for you. DO NOT go on a no/low carb diet. Your body needs it as fuel.

-whole grains are digested slower. (and your body knows it's carbs, not sugar)

So....

1. Get whole grain bread. Don't complain about the taste. You're only whining because you have a sweet tooth for the white (sugar) stuff.

2. Switch your pastas to whole grain. (except spaghetti or angel hair. It doen't hold together. I still haven't found a brand that I like. If anyone else has, PLEASE TELL ME!)

3. Use brown rice. (Anyone that thinks white rice tastes better than brown is CRAZY!)

4. Give whole wheat flour a try. (It MUST be refrigerated! It goes bad, so buy only small amounts at first!)

Facts

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1. Whole grains help prevent Type 2 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that is almost COMPLETELY preventable! If you have (or have a high risk of) diabetes, not switching to whole grains is dumb. Simple as that.

2. Reduces constipation. (excellent source of fiber!)

3. Helps maintain a healthy weight.

4. Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

Pretty big impact for such a little change, don't you think?

Day 1: Sunblock

I've seen some pretty good "31 Days to..." series, but they are all related to home improvement. What about ourselves? It's hard to take care of a home if you don't take care of yourself first.

Don't worry, I'm not going to make you run 5 miles every day and move to a self-sustaining village.

I'm going to suggest small ways to get you healthier and happier.

Sound good?

Day 1: Sunblock

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Shame on you if you live in the south and don't wear this daily. What about us far north girls? You still need to wear it!

We've been lectured about his before....many....many times.

My personal excuses for not wearing daily sunblock:

1. I'm indoors most the time (if you can see in your house without the lights on, you need sunblock)

2. I want to have at least a little tan (you can still get tan skin with wearing sunblock and receive no damage)

Photo Cred

3. Sunblock leaves my skin greasy and gross, especially on my face.

Photo Cred

#3- That's my biggest complaint. I finally consulted a makeup pro.

There are body SPF lotions, and lotions specifically made for the face. They are non-greasy, quick absorbing, and fast drying. They do, however, have to be reapplied more frequently, especially if you are sweating.

Try this one from Clinique at a BonTon store near you (Younkers, Boston Store, Herbergers, CPS, Elder Beermans...) Go on March 9th for the Goodwill Sale. Bring in a clothing item that you wish to donate, recieve a coupon that can work on cosmetics.

You can also try concealer with SPF already in it.

Try this one from Lancome. Again, you can find this at a BonTon store. While your there, take a look at the rest of the Renergie line. This stuff will make your skin look like 12 years old, haha!

There are also many drug store varieties, so just keep trying different brands until you find one that you like and stick...with...it!

Stave off melanoma and look good at the same time!

Come back in about an hour for another video post!