I Drank Celery Juice Every Night For a Week, and This Is What a Doctor Had to Say About It
https://ift.tt/2E6bBaI I have to admit that when I first heard of the celery juice craze, I was a bit underwhelmed. Celery - to me, at least - is something I think of as A) a standard vegetable thrown into soup bases, or B) the vegetable that acts as the vehicle for other, more delicious things (namely peanut butter and ranch dip). So even though I was seeing celery juice everywhere from my Instagram to my favorite health show, I was pretty skeptical that this plain old vegetable could do anything big for my health. If you are not already familiar, celery juice has become pretty popular in the wellness world in the past year. Some people say that is has helped them achieve higher energy levels, while others share that it has helped heal UTIs and serves as a great after-sports drink. But with little scientific research to back up the benefits of drinking celery juice, some doctors are just not buying into it. "Celery itself is a decent source of B-vitamins, vitamin C, and fiber," said Dr. Neal Malik, RDN, PH, MPH, and Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Basic Sciences at Bastyr University in San Diego, CA. "Some studies have found that it contains some antimicrobial properties, as well," Malik explained. "This may be where some of these 'too good to be true' health claims, such as its ability to 'clean the blood,' may have stemmed, pun intended, from." Curious to see what effect celery juice would have on me, I decided that I would drink a glass each evening before bed. For one week, I bought celery stalks from the grocery store and juiced them myself - this Black & Decker Fruit and Vegetable Juice Extractor ($39) is one of my low-cost favorites. I have to admit, I saw some results I wasn't expecting. I Slept Better (and Had Some Ridiculous Dreams)I noticed that after drinking celery juice, I slept longer, deeper, and more sound. Usually one to toss and turn or wake up at the slightest noise, I was instead sleeping right through the night. I do have to note that I had some ridiculous dreams, which I can't exactly connect to the influx of celery juice: one was that my boyfriend painted our apartment neon green and converted it into a yoga studio while I was out - talk about strange! Unfortunately, according to Dr. Malik, it looks like there is no connection between the celery juice and deep sleep and my experience may just be coincidental. I Felt More HydratedI have to admit that I was pretty worried about drinking so much celery juice before bed because, to sodium-sensitive me, at least, it tasted super salty . . . like borderline uncomfortably salty. I was prepared to wake up two hours into the night parched and desperate for a glass of water. However, after the initial shock of drinking a cup of salty green juice, I felt hydrated and alert, similar to how I feel after drinking electrolyte water. Could this be from the celery juice? "Yes, absolutely," Dr. Malik said. "When we examine its composition, we find celery is composed of 95 percent water. By blending or juicing celery, much of that water is released. As a result, celery juice may help rehydrate the body." I Woke Up Less BloatedBloating and I have a very frustrating ongoing relationship. When I eat healthy, I bloat. When I don't eat the healthiest, I still bloat. Very little works to help bring my bloating down to a minimum, which is why I was surprised that when I woke up after my first night of drinking celery juice, my bloating had dissipated. This surprised me, in part, because, full disclosure, I randomly decided to eat a pizza hot pocket before bed and was fearing the worst. But this bloatless wake-up call may not have to do entirely with the celery juice itself. "Based on the data I have seen, there doesn't appear to be a connection between celery juice and a reduction in bloating symptoms," Dr. Malik said. "However, I would suspect that the celery juice is preventing dehydration, and staying adequately hydrated may help reduce bloating." So now the question remains - will I stick with my nightly celery juice ritual? The answer is probably no. To be honest, not only am I not a huge fan of its salty taste, but I'd rather not put all of my health and wellness hopes into a few ounces of daily green juice. Dr. Malik put it best: "The bottom line is that while celery in itself is a nutritious food and should be included as part of a balanced diet, consuming it in isolation or as a juice will likely not serve as a cure-all." Well said! Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI February 25, 2019 at 02:52PM
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These 7 Low-Carb Pastas Are the Answers to Our Prayers
https://ift.tt/2ExSSq7 If you're eating low-carb, it's only natural for cravings to set in from time to time. For us, it's all about pasta. Cacio e Pepe, Bolognese, pesto - you name it, we'll eat it. But, hold on to your hats, because we found seven pastas that are decidedly low-carb. Whether you're watching your total carb intake or your net carb intake, which is carbs minus fiber, there's a pasta here that'll be perfect for your eating plan. As an awesome bonus, all these pastas are on Amazon. So, what's for dinner tonight? Related: 12 Low-Carb Protein Bars That Will Help You Survive Particularly Long Days Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI February 25, 2019 at 02:00PM
Almost 87 Tons of Boston Market Pork Ribs Recalled
https://ift.tt/2tBAPca Feb. 25, 2019 -- Nearly 174,00 pounds of frozen boneless pork rib entrees made by Ohio-based Bellisio Foods and sold under the Boston Market brand have been recalled due to possible contamination with pieces of glass or hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says. The frozen, not ready-to-eat boneless pork rib patties were produced on various dates between Dec. 7, 2018 and Feb. 15, 2019. The recall is for 14-oz. packages of Boston Market Home Style Meals Boneless Pork Rib Shaped Patty with BBQ Sauce & Mashed Potatoes, with "Best By" dates of: 12/07/2019, lot code 8341; 01/04/2020, lot code 9004; 01/24/2020, lot code 9024; and 02/15/2020, lot code 9046. There have been no confirmed reports of anyone suffering harm from the products, which were shipped across the U.S., FSIS said. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. For more information, contact Boston Market at (855) 871-9977. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ February 25, 2019 at 01:53PM
HIIT Can Help You Burn Fat Faster, and This Expert Guide Will Get You Started
https://ift.tt/2ICfNEH Whether you're new to exercise or just looking to mix things up, you've probably heard endless praise for high-intensity interval training. HIIT mixes intense bursts of exercise with rest periods, allowing you to exercise for shorter bouts, while still getting a killer workout. In fact, HIIT is considered one of the most effective workouts for weight loss because you're working at your maximum capacity - even when you're pressed for time. "Working out at the highest intensity revs up your body's metabolism, so not only are you burning major calories since your heart rate is higher than it would normally be, but you'll also burn extra calories and body fat even after your workout," Lyuda Bouzinova, an ACE-certified personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and cofounder of Mission Lean, told POPSUGAR. "Basically, less time spent working out can actually work in your favor to burn way more fat." If that sounds great but you're unsure how to get started, try these tips:
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Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI February 25, 2019 at 01:41PM
Weedkiller Chemical Found in Popular Beer and Wine
https://ift.tt/2GO3S54 Feb. 25, 2019 -- The next time you enjoy a glass of wine or a mug of beer, chances are you’re also drinking pesticide. All but one of 20 alcoholic beverages analyzed in a recent study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) had detectable levels of the pesticide glyphosate, says Kara Cook, the author of the study and PIRG's toxics program director. The pesticide is best known as the key ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup. "The levels we found are not in themselves dangerous," Cook says. "They are well below the EPA tolerance levels. I wouldn't tell somebody, 'Don't drink beer or wine.' '' The pesticide is also found in many foods, used in gardens, and present in rainwater, Cook says. "What we don't know is what the cumulative effect of all these exposures are over a lifetime." Cook says they are trying to raise awareness among consumers. The report concluded that the Environmental Protection Agency should ban glyphosate ''unless and until it can be proven safe," due to what the group says is more evidence that it causes cancer. Residues may show up in beer if the pesticide is used on barley, for instance, and in wine if growers spray the weeds near grapevines. The group issued the report, "Bottoms Up: Glyphosate pesticide in beer and wine," today. William Reeves, PhD, a toxicologist for Bayer, which owns Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, takes exception to the report's findings and recommendations. In a statement, he says the PIRG “is publicizing misleading information about pesticide residues in food." Reeves takes issue with some of the research, including the method the researchers used to measure the levels of pesticide in the beverages, which he says is not acceptable for use with any source other than water. He says a 125-pound person would need to drink a large amount of wine a day for life to reach the EPA tolerable limit for people. Evaluating the SamplesFor the report, the PIRG researchers tested five wines, 14 beers, and one hard cider for the presence of glyphosate. The amount detected ranged from a high of 51 parts per billion (ppb) in a Sutter Home wine to no detectable levels in Peak Organic IPA beer. To put those numbers in perspective, the EPA sets allowable glyphosate residues on more than 150 different food and feed crops (but not a limit on beer or wine), and it ranges from 0.2 to 400 ppm -- or 200 to 400,000 ppb. In a statement, the Wine Institute, an advocacy group for the California wine industry, says the study included just five wines, and ''the study acknowledges that the amounts [of pesticide] found are low." The Beer Institute, a national trade association, said in a statement that: "Our members work with farmers who go to great lengths to raise their crops sustainably and safely. The federal government tests a variety of commodities for glyphosate regularly, and the results of the most recent federal testing showed farmers' use of glyphosate falls well below federal limits.” From highest to lowest levels of the pesticide, here is how the samples fared: Wines:
Beers & Hard Ciders:
One surprise, Cook says, is that even though weedkillers aren’t allowed to be used when making organic beers and wines, their testing found the pesticide in three of the four organic beverages analyzed. Does Glyphosate Cause Cancer?On its webpage, the EPA says that glyphosate products can be safely used if label directions are followed and that it has ''low toxicity for humans." Some research by the World Health Organization linked glyphosate with cancer, but another report did not, Cook notes in the report. In recent years, some communities have banned its use. And in 2018, a jury in California ordered Monsanto to pay $289 million to a groundskeeper who says the pesticide caused his cancer. This report comes on the same day a San Francisco court begins hearing arguments in the first federal civil case over whether Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ February 25, 2019 at 01:10PM
I Drank This With My Lunch Every Day For a Week and It Prevented Overeating at Dinner
https://ift.tt/2H4uPkf I had no idea that coming from a picky-eating childhood I'd grow up to actually want to flip through plant-based cookbooks (Isa Does It is my favorite right now!) or scroll through vegan recipe blogs (shoutout to Oh She Glows!). Some of my happiest moments are in Trader Joe's buying food to meal prep or with my face peering over a simmering pot, stirring away. Food brings me so much joy, but lately I've been loving it a little too much at dinnertime. For months, I've said "eff you" to the hunger scale and have been eating way past the point of satiety. I'm often left uncomfortably full, upset that I ate so much, and yet, I still reach for another bite because I'm not quite satisfied and food is just so damn good.
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I Ate 1 Avocado Every Day For 2 Weeks to See If It'd Help Me Lose Weight, and Here's What Happened
Overeating was not only starting to affect my waistline, but more importantly, feeling so stuffed and bloated put me in a horrible mood for the rest of the night. Belly cramps and indigestion made it hard for me to fall asleep, and gas pains would wake me up in the middle of the night. Sometimes I'd still feel crappy in the morning, which made me cranky and not want to exercise or able to work out as intensely as I wanted to. You'd think I'd learn my lesson, but no. There was this force taking over that made me feel unsatisfied after dinner, so much so that I kept doing it night after night. Something had to change. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI February 25, 2019 at 11:36AM A Dietitian Shares 3 Ways to Relieve Weekend Bloat (and 2 Tips to Prevent It in the First Place)2/25/2019
A Dietitian Shares 3 Ways to Relieve Weekend Bloat (and 2 Tips to Prevent It in the First Place)
https://ift.tt/2Ev9qyS So you went a little overboard this weekend - hello chocolate chip pancakes smothered in syrup, pizza with extra cheese, and a little too much wine. Enjoying the delicious foods you don't normally indulge in during the week is a must sometimes, but when your belly isn't used to the richness or the amount, you can end up with a serious case of Monday bloat. It's natural to want to let go on the weekends, but in order to not have to suffer from uncomfortable belly pains and gas, POPSUGAR asked registered dietitian Jackie Ballou Erdos, MS, RD, CDN, owner of Balancing Act Nutrition for some advice. Jackie explained that "if bloating is more of an ongoing problem, consider seeing a doctor to find out if something else might be going on," such as constipation, IBS, or a food sensitivity to something like dairy, gluten, or sugar. But if your bloating is just from going a bit overboard on the weekend (which is pretty common!), here are the five tips Jackie shared to relieve weekend bloating. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI February 25, 2019 at 10:20AM
Meditating in the Middle of Chaos
https://ift.tt/2IBDrBd By Leo BabautaThe wind and rain were swirling around me powerfully, as I sat in my mom’s tropical flower garden in Guam and meditated. A tropical storm was passing close to Guam, where I’m living at the moment, and I decided to go out into the strong winds and torrential rain to meditate for at least a few minutes. Don’t worry, it was safe. I actually stood in meditation, as sitting in a puddle of rainwater wasn’t that appealing to me. The water kissed my face, the wind rocked my body into a sway, and I practiced being present in the storm. I was practicing stillness in the middle of chaos. Of course, we don’t need to have an actual tropical storm (which turned into a supertyphoon after it passed us) to practice with chaos. It’s all around us, every day. Chaos is the uncertainty of our daily lives, the constant barrage of information and requests and tasks and messages we’re swarmed with, the uncertainty of the global stage and national politics, of our finances and global economy, of changing communities and our everchanging lives. Chaos is all around us, and it can stress us out. It causes anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, procrastination, constant distraction, and the seeking of comforts like social media, food, shopping, games and more. But what if we didn’t need to run to comfort or fear the chaos? What if we could just be still, and find calmness and stillness with the uncertainty swirling around us? A member of my Fearless Training Program said he would like to “dance with chaos.” I think that’s a beautiful idea. Let’s embrace the uncertainty. Practice with it. Dance with it, and let this practice be joyful! A Joyful Practice in ChaosSo how can we practice mindfulness in the middle of chaos? How can we make it joyful? For me, it looks something like this. First, you give yourself space to be present with the chaos. I stood in the middle of the storm, because I was excited to see what it was like. I intentionally called it “meditating” because my intention was to be as present as possible with whatever happened. In your daily life, that might look like just stopping in the middle of your busy workday, at any moment, and dropping into the present moment so you can feel what the chaos feels like. Second, you find the courage to be completely present with the felt experience of the chaos. In the storm, part of that was feeling the wind and rain on my skin, noticing the dramatic light that was filtering through the storm clouds, noticing the amazing tropical jungle in the small valley below me, and the movement of the trees and flowers surrounding me. But there was more than that: it was also the feeling of excitement in my chest, maybe a bit of uncertainty about whether something would fly and hit me on the head, which showed up as a small bit of fear radiating in my heart area. It was also the feeling of my body swaying, my leg muscles tensing, my chest expanding as I breathed. All of this is the felt experience of the moment. Not just my thoughts about it, but how it feels in my body. We can practice this in any moment. Third, you relax into the chaos, and embrace it. Noticing how the chaos feels, you might notice any tension you have around it. For me, in the storm, there was tension around my safety (again, it was actually pretty safe), so I noticed this tension and relaxed those muscles. Relaxing my body, I let myself just surrender to it. Embrace it, as if it were an incredible gift. Again, we can practice this any moment. Right now, in fact, if you’d like to try it. Fourth, you dance with it, joyfully. Once we relax around the chaos, and start to embrace it … we’re making friends with it. The uncertainty is no longer a thing to run from, or to resist, but is just a part of the experience of this moment. Of every moment. And so we can start to dance — let ourselves move through the chaos, in a loving, lovely, joyful way. What would it be like to play right now, in the middle of your uncertain life? What would it be like to be curious, and explore, like an adventurer? What would it be like to be grateful for this incredible moment of chaotic beauty? What would it be like to find the love, the openness, the swirling dancing musical movement in the middle of this storm? We have the opportunity, every single day, even every moment, to be present with the storm of the world. To sit in stillness in the middle of the wind and downpour of life. We have the opportunity to be open to it, to dance with it, to even find the joy in the immense uncertainty that is our lives. Let’s dance, my friends. Let’s love what is all around us. Health via zen habits http://zenhabits.net February 25, 2019 at 08:01AM
After Years of Binge-Eating, Amanda Walked More, Ate More Veggies, and Lost 117 Pounds
https://ift.tt/2tCjyzC "I've been obese since I was 6 years old," Amanda Valentine (@youcanpoundthis on Instagram) told POPSUGAR. Now 36, she said, "I knew nothing about nutrition for most of my life, and I'm an emotional binge-eater. I eat to celebrate, I eat when I'm upset, I eat when I'm stressed . . . I basically use food to comfort me in all situations." Keep reading to learn how Amanda was able to learn new eating habits that helped her lose a whopping 117 pounds! Related: You Will Be Floored After Seeing These Women Who've Lost 100 Pounds! Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI February 25, 2019 at 06:19AM
Avocado Burger? You Bet!
https://ift.tt/2tB7cI5 Avocado Burger? You Bet!Goodbye avocado toast. Hello avocado burger! If you have an Instagram account and you follow food trends, you have probably seen the latest avocado way to eat avocado — as a bun for your favorite burger. Just search “avocado burger” on Google or Instagram and thousands of images and recipes will come up in your search results. Simply put, an avocado burger is a burger made with avocado halves instead of a bread-based bun. They’re also topped with sesame seeds — just because you can? Don’t worry plant-based eaters, some of these burgers are even vegan! The only downside to this food innovation is that you will get very messy trying to hold this burger. Fear not, you can always use a fork and knife. How do you make avocado buns? First, prepare the insides of your burgers, whether it is a beef, turkey or veggie patty. To make the avo bun, slice an avocado in half, lengthwise and remove the seed. Peel off the skin on all the avocado halves and sprinkle with white sesame seeds. A tip to help the avocado stay in place is to put lettuce in between the avocado and your patty. Health via http://appforhealth.com February 24, 2019 at 09:14PM |
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